We couldn’t think of a better way to see out the end of summer than with a day of riding waves and practising yoga as the ocean lapped the shore, wrapping up the day with an evening filled with Hawaiian party vibes!
Here’s what went down at the September Session Event. On Saturday 25 women hit the surf on Great Western Beach for a day of surfing, yoga and empowerment. Our focus with these surf days is always to connect women through the ocean. To inspire them to step outside their comfort zone and to share the best surf coaching suited to their ability.
For our September Session, we had three groups of surfers varying in abilities, from complete beginners. To surfers looking to perfect their pop-ups and a group shredding the green waves out the back. Our excellent coaches took them through two surf lessons with questions and answer session in-between both lessons, allowing the surfers the chance to ask those burning questions.
We covered everything you need to know about buying a winter wetsuit, how to stay fit for the surf, where to travel over the winter, and how to overcome fears and anxiety in the surf.
“When women come together and share their passions, fear and experiences, it’s a beautiful thing. Our surf events, motivation events and even our parties are all about connecting the women surf community. To every woman that has attended our events so far this year, thank you. We have loved working with you, and look forward to connecting with you again soon.”
SurfGirl Assistant Editor and Surf Event Co-Ordinator Corinne Evans Jones.
After the first surf, yoga instructor Katie Austin put the girls through their yoga paces to help stretch out calfs, arms and shoulders ready for more surfing later. It’s such an amazing feeling doing yoga at the beach and everyone loved it.
We asked surf coach Milla Magee about her experience on the day,
”I worked with the beginner sessions for the day: sharing my surf experiences with them by chatting about the various conditions I’ve surfed in and the trips I’ve been lucky enough to go on.
My aim for my beginner group was to teach them that surfing is not like every other sport, it’s a lifestyle. It doesn’t matter if you head out for a surf and don’t catch a wave : as there is so many aspects to surfing that can be worked on e.g focusing on your paddling/ pop up/ duck dives, it’s not all about wave count. Plus you’re immersed in the beauty of the ocean, the utmost saltwater therapy.
Surfing is an underrated sport, you use muscles and move the body in ways entirely different to mainstream sports so for the lesson I just wanted to get the girls used to being in the water and using these muscles, reminding them to breathe and take everything in their own time.”
By the afternoon, vibes were high with everyone styling, laughing and confident in the water, some even progressed onto the intermediate group. After our lessons, once everyone was wrapped up warm we sat down with all three groups to give them feedback of their sessions. Was an awesome day sharing my knowledge with the new frothers and I look forward to the next one. Yewww!” A massive thank you to our event supporters – Newquay Surfing School, Bounce Ball, Ombar Chocolate and The Body Shop.
Surf Photos Courtesy Matilda Sheilds.
Then as the sun started to set the party got into full swing at the Watershed store in Newquay.
The Aloha 65 cocktails were flowing, the Offshore beers were on ice, and our awesome female DJ Skydancer set the decks alight. The event was supported by new surf-inspired spirit Aloha 65 and Cornish company Sharp’s Brewery with Offshore. The bar was drunk dry, Skydanc3r was spinning some awesome tunes, the amazing surf raffle raised over £200 for Surfers Against Sewage and the good vibes were shared!
What better excuse for a party than to see the summer out! Thank you to everyone who attended, purchased a raffle ticket and joined in the fun with us!
Big thanks to Watershed, Aloha 65, Offshore and Skydanc3r for the hospitality, tunes and beverages.
Also thanks to these companies who generously donated prizes for the SAS raffle; Volcom, C Skins, Roxy, Tom Thumb Cocktail Bar, Koalition, Billabong, SurfGirl, Carve, Sex Wax and Sadie Jewellery.
Don’t worry, this isn’t the last of the SurfGirl events. We will be holding workshops and pop up events over autumn and winter and 2020 is looking bigger and better so watch this space.
