Words Stephanie Conway Photos Louise Pamment
Local women surfers gathered together at Saunton Beach in North Devon to paddle out for International Women’s Day on Tuesday, March 8th 2022. The event was organised by Ella Louise Sullivan, the founder of the local women’s community surf group, Saunton Surf Sisters, but members of local girls and women’s surf group Wave Wahines were also in attendance, including their founder, Yvette Curtis and her daughter Aliyah. Participants arrived at Saunton beach at 5.30 pm, then paddled out into the sea together to form a circle in the sea to celebrate one another! The waves were 3 feet high so the paddle out was a challenge for such a big group, but the energy of over 50 women entering the sea together was electric!
Participants arrived at Saunton beach at 5.30 pm, then paddled out into the sea together to form a circle in the sea to celebrate one another! The waves were 3 feet high so the paddle out was a challenge for such a big group, but the energy of over 50 women entering the sea together was electric!
Surfing can be a difficult sport to master, especially when you’re learning in the cold sea temperatures around North Devon. Women’s surf groups help to cultivate a community for female surfers looking to progress, who might feel intimidated by male-dominated line-ups.
“Women change the dynamic in the water, but it always seems to feel more creative, nurturing and fun. There’s nothing like your girls cheering you on a wave,” says Ella Louise Sullivan. “The paddle out was a great way to show support for each other when we catch a good one, celebrate each other’s wins and create a safe space for everyone to feel included in the water.”
