Features / The Wave
Women at The Wave
What do you think of when you think of surfing?
Sun, sand and perhaps, if you’re 30-years-old or younger, Johnny Tsunami?
Does your mind’s eye see Johnny, riding a big wave in the sun only to have it ripped away from him when his family moves to Vermont and all he has to look forward to is snow, snow and more snow?
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Or maybe, if you’re a GenXer, Baywatch star David Hasselhof comes to mind, slow-mo running down a beach in California?
Or perhaps you actually follow the sport of surfing and you’re one of Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina’s social media followers. With 14.2m followers on Instagram, Medina is the most followed surfer in the world.
What do Tsunami, Hasselhof and Medina all have in common? They’re all men.
While there are several women across the world who surf – including Caroline Marks, Tatiana Weston-Webb and Johanne Defay who won gold, silver and bronze, respectively, at the 2024 Summer Olympics – the fact remains that, when we think of surfing, many of us first think of a man in board shorts conquering the waves.
Hazel Geary, CEO of The Wave, said Sister Sessions offer “a supportive female space” – photo: Seun Matiluko
At least, that’s what some of the surfers at The Wave, the East-Compton based inland surfing venue, say.
That’s why, following “a huge amount of feedback asking for women-only sessions”, The Wave has created a series of ‘Sister Sessions’: women-only day-long events that feature yoga, Pilates, live music from female DJs and, of course, lots of surfing.
Hazel Geary, CEO of The Wave, said: “Surfing in the UK and globally is still a predominantly male sport and we are looking at what we can do to change this.
“The growth in the number of women’s surf clubs across the country shows there is a real desire for the support and camaraderie that women get from surfing together.
“We have created these Sister Sessions to offer a supportive female space for those that feel they want or need it as they progress on their surfing journey. It’s fantastic to see the community that is developing around them, and I’m so pleased we have been able to offer even more sessions this year.”
On a cold March evening, Seun, Hannah and Emily ventured to East Compton – photo: Seun Matiluko
Some of the women-only clubs that have popped up across the UK over the last few years include Polzeath Ladies Surf Club, in Cornwall, Newquay Women’s Surf Club and Bristol’s own Bristol Girls’ Surf Club.
Bristol24/7 created our own women-only surf club, of sorts, when three of the team – Seun, Hannah and Emily – ventured down to East Compton to try out a beginner’s surfing class during a February Sister Session.
Seun
I had never been surfing before, so didn’t know quite what to expect when I headed off to The Wave with Hannah and Emily.
However, I was pleasantly surprised to learn how bougie surfing could be! From the complimentary Sun Bum lip balm to the offer of a dryrobe while we were standing on land, shivering in the cold, listening to our instructors talk us through how to surf – we were well and truly pampered!
I thought to myself, I could get used to this. Then we got in the lake.
Our kind and helpful instructors helped us up again and again and again as we crashed out into the waves, struggling to stand up straight. I didn’t manage to quite stand all the way up but, to be fair, we were told it would take most people a couple of lessons to get up confidently.
That’s why I was so proud of Emily – the only one of us to catch a wave and ride it all the way to the end! What a legend.
Hannah
Water and I, we don’t have a good relationship. Despite having been a mediocre swimmer as a child, in the years that have elapsed where I have not gone anywhere near water, the old adage of taking to it like a duck on water proved untrue.
It’s safe to say I was deeply sceptical of my surfing capability. But I not only lived to tell the story, I thoroughly enjoyed the lesson too.
We were able to stand in the water at all times and our teachers were incredibly attentive, on hand to answer every question. I am not quite at peace with water but, without a doubt, this was one way to safely face that.
Emily
I have only ever been surfing once before, when I was around 13, and I remember it being incredibly easy.
So, upon entering The Wave, my confidence was rather high…I was very quickly humbled.
As soon as we entered, we were treated with nothing but respect and kindness by the staff at The Wave – this included unlimited free drinks and even free lip balm. After suiting up into our super fashionable wetsuits and protection gear, we were thoroughly talked through all safety precautions and then we began our lesson and practice on land before venturing into the cold water.
I was inspired most by our female instructor, who had beams of energy despite the fact she had been running lessons all day – I have an incredible amount of respect and awe for her.
I personally found the Sister Session to be an amazing event (although definitely hard work) and there wasn’t a single point during the lesson where I didn’t feel 100 per cent comfortable.
My confidence is also back. I am fully convinced that, if I had another go, I would be on par with the professionals.
Emily was the best surfer of the Bristol24/7 trio – photo: The Wave
The Wave hosts regular women-only Sister Sessions. For more information, visit their website: https://www.thewave.com/surf/activities/women-only-surf-sessions/. Their next Sister Session will be on International Women’s Day on Saturday.
Main photo: The Wave
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