It’s been a while since we did this…
We’ve been at this for a long time, and publishing a women’s surf magazine has never been easy. However, 2024 has been the most challenging year since we launched back in 2002. That’s why, with our October issue, we felt it was time to celebrate.
To celebrate the incredible women in surfing and the journey of our little magazine that’s made it this far. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us through the years – it’s been an honour to showcase such extraordinary female surfers within our pages.
Next month, to celebrate the release of our newest issue, we are taking over Project 83 in Newquay to bring you a fun night focusing on Women in Surfing. It will be a welcoming gathering and a great social event in good company.
Firstly, we are inviting a panel of incredible women who have each found success in the surfing world to recount their journeys and answer questions on anything surf related to creating a successful company. Next, we will show two epic short surf films released in the past year, Make Way and White Horses. Then we will be dancing away with our fav DJ SKYDANC3R. And of course it will be your first chance to get your hands on the new issue.
About the films
Make Way, directed by Abby Hyndman, was shot on the Gold Coast of Australia and tackles the issue of male dominance in surfing in a thoughtful, blameless manner. Rather than accusing males of actively gatekeeping the sport, Make Way celebrates women – of all ages, levels, and shapes – who get out there and rip regardless of the gender imbalance typically found in the line-up.
White Horses, shot by Meg Wriggles, takes us to the opposite hemisphere and far away from the busy shores of Australia, following Emily Grimes and two white horses across the beautiful, barren landscapes of northern Scotland. The journey undertaken is one of self-reflection, highlighting the constant search for improvement and perfection that many suffer under in the modern world, and celebrating slowing down, letting go of expectations, and living in the present moment.
In between the panel and film viewings, the formidable, ocean-inspired female DJ SKYDANC3R will bring the beachy funky vibes, eventually taking over for an epic set to close out the night.
The newest issue of the mag will be available on the night (or you can bag yourself a deal with the Issue 81 Special ticket), as well as a selection of SurfGirl clothing. Each ticket bought includes a complimentary High Tide Spritz made with Connie Glaze sand-filtered vodka, the newest delicious spirit to join the Tarquins family.
Get to know the panel
Born and raised in Newquay, Cornwall, Allannah is a true ocean enthusiast who has embraced a nomadic surf lifestyle, chasing some of the world’s best waves. With over 16 years of coaching under her belt, she co-founded the Gather & Glide Surf Academy, where she’s on a mission to spread the stoke, helping students to build ocean confidence and unlock their potential.
Hayley has been our sub editor here at SurfGirl for over a decade, during which time she’s worked in an array of surf-related spaces as a content writer, surf coach and business founder. An avid surfer, she’s aligned her passion for waves and words in her work, inspiring us with her features about surf trips around the globe, waxing lyrical about the benefits of surfing and blue health, working with the Wave Project, launching a family surf travel website, and bringing up a trio of surf groms in her wake.
Demi Taylor has spent the last two decades bringing to life the stories that matter on-screen, in print and in-person. She is the producer of the forthcoming environmental documentary The Big Sea, and in 2011 co-founded London Surf / Film Festival, playing host some of surfing’s most exciting films and icons from Steph Gilmore to Rob Machado. She has written best-selling books on surf and travel to documentaries about youth culture’s pioneers, and as co-founder of Approaching Lines creative agency, works with brands, filmmakers and musicians as a producer and consultant. She has a thing for yellow boards, blue skies and green action.
Ellen Caldwell
Ellen is one of the few women wetsuit designers in Europe. Ellen changed her life for surfing when she set up her sustainable wetsuit company Figure Creative, after learning the process under the tutelage of Malcolm Ball at Snugg Wetsuits. Since then she has also set up a new surfing cafe community, House of Glass in Newquay where she runs events as well as serves up a mean brunch!
