Sunshine Surf Girls Edition 3 Winter 2015

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I ,M m a s F Re h o me EE e ! ke

•Australia's only magazine for surfing women

Image courtesy of Chris Grant @jettygirlsurfmag

Sunshine Surf Girls

In this issue:

Honolua Blomfield SSG’s 2015 Wetsuit Review Silvana Lima Surfing Tofino

Shortboard

Longboard

3 WINTER 2015

SUP

www.sunshinesurfgirls.com

Letters to the editor

WIN We love h e ari n g from ou r re ad e rs. Wri t e i n f o r you r chan ce to wi n a

One of our dre a m s he re at SSG HQ i s to un ite wome n i n th e i r love of surfi ng. We’re stoke d to be able to do th i s not just for coasti e s, but for those of you far from your love.

I2 month

subscription to SSG Se e pag e 21 to se e what’s i n clu d e d i n ou r su b scri b e rs pack!

Winner of the BEACH DAY PRIZE PACK:

Email your letter to editor@sunshinesurfgirls.com.au

I’m so stoked you have created this mag – it keeps me frothing even when I’m miles from the ocean. Surfing has made me a better person all round from feeling at my healthiest ever, to the pure enjoyment it brings to me and all that are around me joining in. I have met some of the awesomest, beautiful courage-filled women in my life, all willing to share the stoke just to see a mate smiling.

They encourage, teach, laugh, watch your back and just have fun.

I love surfing and the ocean and am so grateful to have been able to share it with some amazing women, it’s made it so memorable for me.

Dysart Qld

x Eve

Aloha!

Surfing to me means finding the perfect surf break with your friends in sunny Noosa!

I also love travelling to byron bay with my girlfriends and surfing fun waves for a week!

Surfing brings new opportunities and having laugh with friends!

Love Ella x Surfing, travelling, friends… sounds like you’ve got it pretty sorted Ella!

Surfing for me, well it just is. You can’t really explain what it feels like, sitting on your board out the back, as you see the forms of waves starting to make themselves around you. Nothing compares to the feeling, dropping down the wave, white wash crashing down behind you. Even if I fail on that wave, I’ll still come out with the biggest smile on my face. My friends will ask what happen, and I’ll say, “ I just got smashed by a f*cking awesome wave.”

Surfing is so much more than people think.

It’s a way to get fit, a way to catch up with friends, or just to cool down in the hot sun. People say surfing is a way of life, and it’s the truth. As soon as you start gliding down that wave, you’re hooked. So what does surfing mean to me? Everything.

Amelia Ross You've described surfing perfectly Amelia...

Hope to see you in the water sometime.

Surfing means a lot of things to me: – it means love – it means catching waves of a lifetime – it means getting barrelled – it means soaking up the moment – I love going for early morning surfs and watching the bright sun rise – it means trying to land new tricks.

Surfing means everything to me.

I love your SSG so much I get them from 'BeachBeat' Caloundra.

My name is Ella Muskens and my brother Will is sponsored by Hurley.

x Ella

(11years old)

Yew! I wish I was getting barrelled when I was 11 Ella! Nice one!

What does surfing mean to me: Surfing is the feeling of freedom. The sun on my back, the salt in my hair and a smile on my face. When I am surfing I am living in the moment there is nothing else that is on my mind. I am focused on the next wave and on the beauty of the ocean and the blessing of the opportunity.

All the best,

Melisa

I love how surfing can often clear your head and wash superficial worries away by forcing us to be in the moment...

As I sit waiting at Sunshine Coast airport for my departing flight to Melbourne, your magazine is helping me to hold on to the memories of the past few days spent at Noosa. I grew up on the Central Coast of NSW and love beach culture. Now I live in outer east Melbourne and it's quite a change of scene from the sun, sand and salt that permeates my childhood and adolescent memories.

The clock counts down to departure time and the familiar sharp crisp coolness of the south. But thank you SSG for letting me dream just a little bit longer.

x Jess So glad we could prolong those memories for you Jess, we understand how challenging it can be to move away from our comfort zone. Hope you get some waves in Victoria too!

Some things change, some things remain the same… one of the things that never changes is how wonderful and different women are. We don’t all look the same, we don’t all ride the same craft and we definitely don’t all surf the same way!

We’re acknowledging and celebrating this diversity in our first wetsuit road test. Although our three surfers don’t represent every body type (now there’s a challenge!) we hope that by having three different surfers try out the suits, our wetsuit reviews will give you a better idea of how different suits will work for your shape.

2015 is a great time to be a female surfer. Women are doing amazing things all around the world (check out Emi Koch and Kim Eulenstein for example) and competitively, women’s surfing is going from strength to strength. However, another thing that hasn’t changed is that some of our top surfers remain without major sponsors. We don’t want that to stay the same and hope SSG can be part of that change.

Here at SSG, we aim to highlight the beauty, diversity and inclusivity of surf riding women around the world and are excited to have Current World Longboarding Champion Chelsea Williams as our ambassador. Chelsea embodies so much of what we love about surfing and we’re stoked to welcome her to the SSG family.

Another arm of the SSG family is our advertisers. We love them and want you to support them! It’s our advertisers who enable us to stay a free mag and they’re the companies that are actively supporting women’s surfing in Australia, so show them some love!

There’s so much to love about women’s surfing at the moment and we’re stoked to be part of the change that represents.

Thanks for reading!

X Liz

Contributors Chris Grant Andy Carruthers Shey Ivanov Honolua Blomfield Silvana Lima Dimity Stoyle Russell Richardson Emi Koch Lauren Hill Jayne Ryeland Emma Clark Donna Masing Katelyn Le Roux

Ben Osborne Lynsey Gallacher Gemma MacKenzie Ben Silk Kristen Veltmeyer Kim Eulenstein Fran Miller/ Girlsurfnetwork Kyler Voss Hayley Shaw-McGuinness Josh Cohen

Image of Chelsea Williams, current World Longboard Champion and SSG ambassador. courtesy of Andy CArruthers – Narrow Path media.

A note From the editor

contents

06 Honolua Blomfield 08 Silvana Lima 10 Q & A Beyond the surface 12 13 About Jayne Ryeland 14 Less pain, more waves! lets her surfing do the talking

fighting back

with Dimity Stoyle

with Emi Koch

basics of surf 15 The forecasting Kim Eulo 16 you handle 18 Could the chilly waves of Tofino?

20 Wetsuit review; for 24 Nourishment the body and soul Surf + Social Good 26 Summit 2015 Surferpreneur

the results of SSG’s road test!

Editor: Liz Davison Advertising: advertise@sunshinesurfgirls.com.au

ABN 14 452 593 792 Contributors opinions are not necessarily those of Sunshine Surf Girls Š All rights reserved

Publisher: Sunshine Surf Girls Emma Krusic & Gemma MacKenzie Graphic Design: Melanie Kilby

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Image courtesy of Shey Ivanov – The Froth Lab

The team

Honolua

Images courtesy of Andy CArruthers – Narrow Path media

With her fee t on the ground and her e ye s on the future, Honolua Blomfi eld dre a ms of becomi ng the first world cha mpion i n shortboardi ng and longboardi ng.

"I just love to surf.

It’s what I’m meant to be I guess". interview by Liz Davison I met Honolua as she was coming up the beach after competing in the Noserider event at the Noosa Festival of Surfing. At 16, she was both the youngest competitor in the event and the only woman. Catching the first wave of the event, she sent a clear message to her competitors that she was one to watch. But the high tide did her no favours and she opted to save her best surfing for her next two events, the Junior Women’s Pro and Open Women’s where she would go on to come fourth and second respectively.

Honolua has been surfing her whole life, she literally can’t remember a time before she surfed. With a dad who was once a pro shortboarder and soul surfing mum who rides both long and shortboards, perhaps it is no surprise that she would grow up to be a surfer too. What did come as a surprise though was when, at just 14, she won the ISA World Pro Junior Men’s and Women’s longboard divisions in Peru.

“Hawai’i didn’t have any boys on the team in Peru, so I just decided to go in and surf a heat. I got sick when I was there and threw up just before my heat but surfed anyway and ended up winning.” Her winning streak carried her all the way through to the finals where she caught the two highest scoring waves and came away ISA World Junior Champion twice over.

Competing on the world stage as both a shortboarder and a longboarder, Hono is considered a role model in her native Hawai’i. “I appreciate that, it’s amazing. I just be myself.” But it’s this ability to stay grounded and maintain her personal integrity that makes her a role model for others.

“Sometimes women’s surfing is more about marketability than surfing you know, if you’re blonde and blue eyed you’re more likely to get a sponsor. Some people do deserve major sponsors but don’t get them.

I am just sponsored for being me. I don’t want to change for a sponsor.”

Hono lets her surfing do the talking and although she says its hard balancing school and competing on both the WQS and the international longboard circuit, this is one woman who seems to have her feet firmly on the ground. “My family keep me grounded, but also it’s just me.”

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Silvana Lima words by Liz Davison and Images by Chris Grant @jettygirlsurfmag

Silvana Lima knows more than most, that the life of a professional surfer isn’t all ‘good times’.

While in hospital for knee surgery in 2012, this two times World Title runner-up was dropped by all her sponsors. She sold her house and car and, sponsor-less, has fought her way back to become one of the top five on tour again. We caught up with her while she was on the Australian leg of the tour.

You started surfing on a door?

Can you tell us a little about that?

My childhood was very hard. I come from a poor family and used to live in a beach cabin with 7 other people. I used to see a lot of people surfing and I could not have a surfboard. So when I was 7, I took an old door I had found on the beach and went into the sea. I kept trying to ride a wave for months, until I found an old broken surfboard and that was my start. I think God wanted it to be that way and I’m glad it was.

You injured both your ACLs in 2012 requiring surgery, which also saw you lose all your sponsors. How did you manage to make it back on tour?

After losing my sponsors in 2012, I sold my apartment in Rio to be able to get back to the WCT. I didn’t get good results so I had to go back to the WQS in 2014, my money was almost over and I had to sell my car. I don’t regret it because all the effort paid off.

You also launched a Kickstarter to get some funds to help you get back on tour.

Can you tell us about #silvanafree and how that came about?

The project went well in the beginning but not many people helped, and we all know how expensive it is to be a pro surfer! People talked a lot about me, but not many helped.

I got more fame than help with the project.

You cite Taj and Joel as your inspiration, how have they influenced you and your surfing?

We were teammates. I always watched them surf and I wondered if I’d be able to do the same. I learned that what I needed was to practice a lot and observe their manoeuvers.

I watched all their videos and also Dane Reynolds (my favourite).

In 2005 at the Maui Pro, you were the first woman to ever score a perfect 10 on your first ever wave in a WCT event.

Since then you’ve been surfing faster and busting more airs than most other

girls on tour – which doesn’t always equate to high heat scores. What do you see as more important – innovation? or making it through the heat by surfing conservatively?

I believe that winning heats is the most important but I’m always pushing my limits, trying extreme manoeuvers and if they work... that’s what makes it perfect! I feel great doing this!

You were the first Brazilian (man or woman) to win at Bells but, other than Karol Ribeiro on the WQS, you’re now the only Brazilian woman on the tour. Why do you think the ‘Brazilian storm’ hasn’t hit the women’s tour yet? Do you expect it to?

I really hope it does, but I don’t see how it would happen right now.

I’m the inspiration to a lot of girls, many of them write me to share their financial difficulties, which seem a lot like mine during my childhood. I know how hard it is for a woman in Brazil to fight this battle.

I really don’t understand why so many national surf companies make money with our sport but don’t invest in the sport, they only use it.

I hope it changes one day. I lost count of how many companies turned me down and did not believe I could get back to the competition. I came back from zero, showed everyone I’m back and I’ll fight for my goals. It was way harder back when I had nothing to eat. Now I’ve changed my life, all my family’s too. I could provide school for my sisters and nephews, I could buy my family their first house, their first beds to sleep on... I feel proud of what I have done with this sport. It gives me strength to go on and on.

I know I can win and that’s why I’m on the tour.

You’ve been quoted as saying, “beaches are not catwalks and athletes are not fashion models.” There still seems to be such a drive in the surfing industry – especially in women’s surfing – of marketability over surfing ability. How do you feel about this? Do you think it affects you personally?

I feel like brands use way more pure beauty than surfing in general. I’d like to have money to make a movie about surfing, like I see men doing all the time... rad, powerful, lots of action, 100% surf. God may hear my prayers someday...

What other (if any) changes would you like to see in women’s surfing?

In the WSL tour I see lots of improvements [over the last 15 years].

I really feel like I’m on a dream tour.

I wish the girls had the same prizes as boys do though. We spend the same with tickets, hotel, car rental, food. I don’t see why we should be paid less money. Sponsors also pay a lot more to men. It’s hard to remember that I’m the only female surfer in Brazil, 8 years in a row considered best surfer in the country, and I still have no main sponsor.

The biggest difference is the media, the men’s tour has more support.

When the women’s event is on at the same time as the men’s, we benefit from that. I think all events should run like this.

Many people argue that no one wants to watch women’s surfing. What are your thoughts? Do you think the general population are interested in women’s surfing?

I think the public wants to see women surfing: surfing well in big waves.

The girls need to show even more aggressive and radical surfing. This will make the public more excited and more likely to watch.

You’ve been runner up to the WSL world title twice and put the other women on notice at the Roxy Pro at the beginning of the year with your air game and perfect 10. Do you think 2015 is your year?

I came back 100% confident and I’m feeling super comfortable! I feel like I’m here to fight for the title!

Wa nt troe? se e m o

rfgi rl s.com su n sh inesu d pics ra e or m e to se of Silva n a!

Q&A

w i t h t h e su nsh i n e c oa s t's l o ca l WCT su r f er

Dimity Stoyle Already ranked Ranked #11

Images courtesy of Russel Richardson – Focus 64

on the WCT coming into Fiji, 2015 is looking good for Dimity Stoyle. we caught up with this Sunny Coast local in between events for a quick Q&A.

This is your second year on the WCT. What are your thoughts on the new tour?

The new tour is amazing! They have worked really hard to look after the girls, they have increased the prize money to level with the men’s and also brought back some of the best spots like Trestles, Fiji and Honolua Bay. The level the girls are surfing now is being recognised and showcased in the best way possible!

You started the year with a win at the Burleigh Pro and then made it through to round four in the Roxy Pro, is there anything you’re doing differently this year to make your way up the ratings ladder?

Rookie year was tough! Every event I went to was a new experience and something new to learn. I’m excited to give my second year a good shot with one year’s experience under my belt. I’ve been working on training more and getting fit, also just surfing as much as I can.

You don’t have a major sponsor. Apart from the obvious money aspect, how do you think this affects your experience?

Competing on the WCT I’m getting paid enough to travel to all the events and surf full time, that’s my dream!! It would be nice to have a sponsor so I can buy my own house one day!

You’ve said in the past that not having a sponsor or a team coach almost helps you focus more. Why is that?

I love working with my coach in the lead up to my events to work on my technique and boards. When I’m at the event I’m used to not having a coach to tell me what to do, I work things out for myself and rely on my own instincts.

Which aspects of the tour do you enjoy the most?

I love travelling with my friends and going on adventures when we have days off from the event. I also love the feeling of winning heats and surfing perfect waves with nobody out!

The least?

Losing heats is hard.

Do you think that shaping your own boards, even if you don’t surf them in comps, changes the way you surf?

I love shaping surfboards! It helps me to understand how my boards work. Riding single fin boards and alaias help me read the waves better and surf more in the pocket.

Determined and focused, Dimity has her eye on the prize and we wish her all the best!

, There s an art to it Almora: The place between the earth, the sea and the sky...A meeting of the highest quality surfboard design and manufacturing, with the highest levels of creativity and artwork, finished in painstaking detail.

Image by Giselle Peters Photography www.almorasurf.com.au | Graham Borough 0437 349 846 | John Tregear 0408 118 069 S u n s h i n e Nundah S u r f G i r l s Editi on 3 W i n t e r 2 015 11 Showroom /Studio - Brisbane | 19 Chapel Street 4012

be yon d t h e su r face Introduced to surfing at just two years old, Emi Koch’s dream of becoming a professional surfer changed one day in her final year of high school when a teacher pointed out a statistic: “If the world’s population was condensed into a village of 100 people, only one of that 100 would have a chance at a college education and own a computer." This statistic had a profound effect on Emi. She decided that she was that ‘one’ and that it was her role to fight to enable the remaining 99 access to the same opportunities she had.

Emi enrolled in International Politics at Georgetown University with the goal to become an international diplomat, but the summer after her first year she went to volunteer in Nepal. In Nepal she heard about the non-profit organisation Skateistan, founded by Australian skateboarder, Oliver Percovich. Skateistan uses skateboarding as a tool for empowering youth. Emi was inspired to combine her passion for surfing with her passion for social justice and, returning to California, established Beyond The Surface International. BTSI is a global platform for youth empowerment projects in marginalised coastal communities using surfing as a medium for creative learning and positive social change.

“I am a free surfer with Billabong Women’s from San Diego, California but rather than surf competitively, I apply my sponsorship with Billabong to run Beyond the Surface International.

“The surf industry is full of extremely talented wave-riders in and out of the ocean with beautiful Instagram accounts and so many other platforms to share their voice with the world. I was wrapped up in this scene pursuing a professional surfing career and lifestyle through high school. But for me, something was always missing. I felt a little empty. Just focused on meeting my personal needs and working for my personal success. Sort of like a ‘that’s it?’ feeling.

I always felt there was something more beyond just surfing. Beyond the Surface

International manifested itself from this idea that maybe the innate ability for human beings to play, laugh, and have fun could be harnessed for good. I thought that the access I had to resources that promoted my own surfing could perhaps be shared so that surfers from disadvantaged backgrounds or remote locations could also have access to resources.

“BTSI exists for a few reasons… its original purpose was simply to bridge the gap between the surf industry and grassroots surfing for youth empowerment, sustainable development, and social justice. I wanted to utilise whatever recognition was mine in the surfing world to provide a platform to promote the talent and beautiful stories of groms from the most challenging of circumstances. I think it would be a great disservice to humanity if their background stood in the way of their passions.

“These kids come from the places society mostly turns a blind eye to. Really in society’s eyes, they’ve already failed.

In a sense, they have no fear of trying something new or different because they have nothing to lose. For me, this was also an incredible opportunity to experience learning through having fun… a totally different vibe than I grew up experiencing.

“Growing up, the ocean was my playground and wave riding just slipped into being an essential part of life, almost like breathing. However, my addiction to surfing didn’t start until I was 13 years old. In school, I was consistently slower to comprehend things than my peers and I was diagnosed with multiple learning disabilities. Surfing was my magical escape. My hyper-activeness was reprimanded in the classroom but celebrated in the ocean. It made sense to me to pursue a life as a professional surfer. I would rather confront overhead waves than battle a trigonometric formula!

“When I returned to university after founding BTSI, I switched to Psychology with Anthropology and Justice & Peace Studies. For me,

this was a magic mixture of my interests and seemed to also fuel BTSI the more I studied and explored. I guess there was passion was behind my learning so I pushed through any barriers… I think without even realising it.

“Now we are taking creative-learning projects and adding a focus on ocean conservation and climate change impacts.

Our newest project is called Coast 2 Coast. C2C partners students from diverse socioeconomic coastal communities worldwide. Participants collaborate virtually to brainstorm peer-to-peer solutions to climate change consequences through their own photography, videos, art, and creative writing.

“I’m pretty busy but I try my best to jump into the sea everyday… my own surfing is still a fundamental part of my life. It just recharges my energy. Through BTSI, I just get the opportunity to share it more with others and in the most unlikely of places.

Want to help?

Check out www.coast2coastproject.org or www.lobitoscinemaproject.com

images courtesy of: main Image, Lauren hill. Inset left, Ramesh. Inset right, Daniel.

words by Liz Davison

Image courtesy of jayne ryeland.

Image courtesy of emma clark.

Jayne Ryeland

As a stand up paddle board (SUP) competitor, elite mountain biker and all round animal lover, Jayne could probably run circles around most 20 year olds, yet at 47 she shows no signs of slowing down and encourages all women, no matter what their age to get out and give it a go.

I got into surfing mucking around surfing on my belly for a few years. I found SUP in 2008 when I was 43.

I surf every day, when there’s a wave.

I get up early, go to the beach with my dog for a surf check, then GO SURFING! If the surf isn’t good or I can’t surf I go mountain biking or walk my dog.

My favourite person to surf with is my partner Andrew... my mate Loz, and my

SUP club mates. I also LOVE surfing with my dog Demi. We are still practising.

In ten years time I see myself fully fit and still surfing!

My proudest moment is competing in an elite 500km mountain bike race, the Tour de Timor, in East Timor where I finished in the top ten.

I get amped listening to Baby Animals (it's 90's music!).

The vibe between girls when competing is VERY friendly in SUP comps for sure.

We are basically just out there having fun.

I’m scared of sharks, wipe outs and big waves. The more sharks you see, the more you realise they are not even interested in

you. The more wipe outs you have the less you worry about them, and we all have our big wave size limit don't we?!

My worst wipe out was on my 12’6” racing SUP. I was surfing in on a horrible shore dump at Burleigh after a SUP paddle distance race. I almost got strangled by the leggie and the camel backpack I was wearing for the distance paddle.

I swallowed lots of salt water. It was very ugly. I got it really wrong...

My favourite board is my Laguna Bay 7’1”0 SUP made locally by Tully St John in Noosa.

Cats or dogs? Dogs! My dog is a rescue dog from the pound.

SSuunnsshhi innee SSuurrf f GGi irrl lss Editi Edition on33 WWiinntteerr 22015 015

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Less pain, more waves!

Combating muscle soreness in surfing

WITH Donna MasinG Performance Therapist at the Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre.

You know the feeling; it’s when you’re waxing up your board on the third day of a surf trip, ready to jump into the waves. You go to take that first paddle stroke but you feel like someone’s ripped off your arm and replaced it with limb full of hot coals.

DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) is muscle tearing on a microscopic scale.

However, the sensation it produces it less than microscopic, with the effects hitting you 24 to 72 hours after strenuous or unaccustomed exercise.

DOMS isn’t caused by a build-up of lactic acid as once thought, but by an accumulation of calcium and other pro-inflammatory chemicals, or by the activation of pain sensors called nociceptors, thanks to the muscle trauma.

The achiness caused by constantly arching your back, paddling and popping up is not necessarily a sign to stop. There is a big difference between pain that’s doing you damage (sudden, sharp, intense pain) and the sensation induced by exercise (dull, diffuse). It’s important to learn to spot the difference between the two in order to avoid injury.

Mums

If you’re suffering from this kind of muscle soreness (the dull, diffuse kind) there are two common mistakes you should avoid.

1.

The first mistake is to stop the activity that made you sore.

If riding long waves has given you burning quads, you better go get some more!

Conditioning your muscles for the next time is going to result in reduced muscle damage and therefore less soreness.

2.

The second mistake is trying to stretch it out.

In fact, pre- or post-event stretching has hardly any effect on muscle soreness.

Overstretching can even cause soreness by itself. That’s not to say ditch the stretching program altogether because it does have benefits, just not when trying to combat “muscle fever”.

An effective way to combat muscle soreness is to get a good sports massage.

After just 10-minute applications of massage, DOMS symptoms can be reduced by as much as 30%. A nice warm bath or gentle activity can also help as it brings more blood circulation to the area.

In terms of prevention, there’s not much you can do besides working your way up to let your body condition. A dynamic warm up before each session, with sport specific movements gives you a good base [check out the pre-surf warm up in the last edition of SSG. ed.], as does ensuring you’re always well hydrated.

In short, the best thing you can do is increase blood flow to the sore area by massage and rolling on a foam roller or tennis ball (to get the best results roll 48 hours after the activity), or by repeating the activity that made you sore.

So, grab your board and get back out there!

Are you struggling to get back into surfing?

For some post-baby surf tips from physio Liza Edwards, head to www.sunshinesurfgirls.com

image courtesy of ben osborne

Surf Forecasting: The Basics with Lynsey Gallacher and Ben Silk of Silky Surf

As surfers, the weather controls our life even more than others. Sure there’s plenty of information online at our disposal but people come unstuck when they don’t know what it all means. Surfing takes place in a constantly changing arena so the question when you look at the weather forecast is, where will the best waves be today or tomorrow?

There are many factors that create the waves we want to surf. To start with though, let's look at how wind, swell, period and the tide affect the surf.

Wind Different wind directions suit different beaches so learn which winds work best for your local. Generally, if there is wind, we want it to be offshore. This means the wind is blowing off the land out towards the ocean, smoothing the face of the wave and helping the waves stand up for longer.

Don't be discouraged by an onshore wind though, a light onshore (under 15 knots) can still be good for surfing.

Sw ell Local conditions have to be right for the swell to create quality waves.

It’s important to learn about how swell direction affects your surf spot and others.

For example, when a surf report says an easterly swell is on the way, they are

describing waves originating from the east. If your fave spot faces east, then those waves will hit your break straight on.

A different swell direction will effect the way the wave hits your beach, or if it hits it at all.

Per iod This is the time it takes for two successive wave crests to pass a given point, and can be an indicator to the quality of the waves.

If the surf report is showing a period below 8 seconds then it’s going to be average wave quality. As the period increases so does the quality of the waves. If the report shows intervals of 13+ seconds, phone in sick today!

Whether you are a beginner or occasional surfer, an old diehard, someone who totally relies on word of mouth, or you rely on a driveby to know what the surf is doing, learning to read a surf forecast can help you maximise your surfing experience.

For a more in-depth look at surf science and surf forecasting, check out our online articles in collaboration with Surfline at www.sunshinesurfgirls.com

Tide The effects of the tide vary between surf spots. It may be that some local breaks are only surfable for a few hours a day. Waves will only break when the water depth is a certain ratio to the wave height, so when the depth of water increases/decreases (as it does with the changing tide) then the waves will no longer break at the same point.

Try to familiarise yourself with as many beaches and surf breaks as you can and don’t be ashamed to ask locals what conditions suit their break. What doesn’t work for one surf spot can mean pumping waves just around the corner!

are you suffering from DOMS, joint or muscle damage?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy may help get you back on track.

Call 0478 686 717 to book an appointment or visit advanceo2.com to find out more.

Located at 454 Samford Road, Gaythorne, Brisbane.

surfer

preneur

k i m eu lenstei n Founder of Girl Surf Ne t work

"I wouldn’t say starting GSN was scary, more like a challenge"

Interview by Kristen Veltmeyer

Images Courtesy of Fran Miller/ Girlsurfnetwork

While in hospital 2012 waiting for surgery to repair her shattered elbow, Sydney local Kim Eulenstein started a simple Facebook page as a platform for girls around the world to connect and share their love of surfing.

Since then, Girl Surf Network has grown into a large active network with girls all around the world getting involved through their website, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube channel. SSG chatted with Kim to get the lowdown on being a surferpreneur…

“When I started GSN, I had no specific mentoring from anyone or guidance on what I was doing. I started it all from scratch and really took the time to plan it out. I have experience in sports marketing, sales, swimwear, management, web design, social media and photography which was all very useful in building the foundations of GSN. I do have people I look to for inspiration and advice on certain things but there was nothing really out there GSN it at the time, so there was no one to give me any specific guidance.

“The assembly of the team in its infancy though was fun. There are lots of really

talented females out there that have dreams to work in the surfing industry.

The main thing for me was to have trust in the people I work with. It took me over a year to choose the close-knit team I work with at the moment but I’m always open to outsourcing for specific jobs. In terms of work delegations, we do have girls within our team that work on specific projects. We have professional photographers at events and on photo shots for example. As much as I love photography myself, I know I’m not the best person for the job. I love to give other girls the opportunity to work with us and be “behind the scenes” on some of our jobs.

“I wouldn’t say starting GSN was scary, more like a challenge. An exciting challenge! I have a passion for surfing and can appreciate the many aspects of female surfing, from grass-roots surfers to corporate involvement. The thought of working in all those areas only excited me.

“The great thing about Girl Surf Network is that it is a platform for anything and everything that is female surfing. The words Girl Surf Network really encompass our audience and vision. It is for any female that enjoys surfing, or has a passion for surfing and wishes to connect, network, discuss,

learn and share that passion for surfing.

We don’t restrict our audience to specific types of female surfers. We wanted to provide that platform for females around the world, which we have done. The market is always changing so the main thing for us is to remain flexible, continue to learn and evolve as female surfing does.

“The GSN stickers are like a badge that girls around the world are proud to represent. I know myself, that when I’m out surfing alone or in a lineup full of guys, I can look down at my GSN sticker and it reminds me that I’m not really alone. There is a plethora of female surfers around the world that share my passion for surfing. They are also a great conversation starter. Seeing another girl out in the lineup with a GSN sticker has sparked friendships.

“Since starting GSN I have noticed a lot of females working in photography and film-making which is great! I’ve seen female surfboard shapers, artists, bloggers and designers grow over the years. Swimwear seems to be growing at a rapid rate. I see so many girls starting their own swimwear brands and selling them online. There are so many avenues in female surfing now…”

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Surfing Tofino words by Liz Davison and images by kyler vos Icy cold water crashes on the shore through clouds of fog… a figure, clad head to toe in black neoprene, walks out of the fog carrying a board and a mile-wide smile. Meet Krissy Montgomery, one of the surfing women of Tofino, the surf capital of Canada.

“I grew up in Nanaimo on the east coast of Vancouver Island, about 3 hours away from the surf. The first time I tried surfing was here in Tofino in my early teens but I didn’t take up the sport seriously until I was able to move to Tofino when I was 19. I was always a sporty person and a huge fan of the ocean so naturally I was drawn to the sport. Fortunately for me, the cute boys in high school were the ones that surfed so hitching a ride to the other side of the island was never a chore! After my first year of university, my daydreaming led me to pack up my car and best girlfriends and move out to Tofino where we could live our surfer dream. We never left.

“I quickly picked up the sport and began surf coaching with Surf Sister in 2003. I began to manage the shop later that year and eventually bought the company 6 years ago.

“Surfing in Canada can be chilly. The water temperature on average in the winter months is between 7°-10°C and in the winter most people wear a 6/5/4mm or a 5/4mm wetsuit with booties, gloves and a hood. The summer water temps are a bit warmer and can get up to 15°C, however you definitely still need a 4/3mm. Booties are optional on the warmer days in the summer.

“Learning to surf in cold water meant that wearing a wetsuit was part of the experience so we are used to it! That being said, most surfers in Tofino find themselves in search of warm water on their winter time vacations!!

Surfing has taken me on many adventures including Mexico, California, Hawai’i, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Taiwan, Indonesia, New Zealand and a couple of others.

“Although there are still more men than women in the water, the gap is definitely

closing. Of all the places I’ve travelled, I have yet to see similar amounts of females in the water as here in Tofino. Having such a large female component to our surf population creates a very unique environment out in the water. Tofino is generally looked at as a welcoming place for beginners compared to other places. The vibe in the water is friendlier and the surf scene is quite united.

The men are very supportive of having ladies in the surf!

“In 2010, I created the Queen of the Peak along with my friend Mike Jacobsen (the manager of Shelter Restaurant in Tofino).

The Men’s O’Neill Cold Water Classic WQS event was coming to town and we wanted to showcase how unique our surf scene is here because of all the solid female surfers. Also, in the past the ladies had been upset that in local surf contests we are always given the poor heat times as well as small prize purses compared to the men. We created the Queen of the Peak – Women’s Surf Championships to showcase all the talented female surfers in the Pacific North West as

well as celebrate the women and treat them as ‘equal’ surfers.

“All the proceeds from the Queen of the Peak go to the Keep A Breast Foundation (www.ca.keep-a-breast. org) whose mission statement is to help eradicate breast cancer by exposing young people to methods of prevention, early detection and support. The reality is that breast cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian women with 1 in 9 women being diagnosed in their lifetime. We thought this charity was a good fit as it is a great forum to spread knowledge and prevention.

Also the surf contest is held every October, which is breast cancer awareness month.”

Krissy and the other surfing women of Tofino aren’t letting the cold temperatures deter them. Next time I complain about the water being too cold, I’ll think of them.

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The Subscribers Pack Includes: 4 magazines posted to your door ¬ A free SSG wax buddy (limited offer) SSG's Monthly e-newsletter Surfit ebook ¬ A free SSG sticker Entry to subscriber only competitions *Australia and NZ only, International $39AUD. ^Free gift is subject to availability while stocks last. ˜Subscribers only comp. Zee Hot Candy wetsuit as shown on page 27.

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Wetsuits

These wonderful pieces of neoprene keep us surfing year-round... but choosing the right one can be a minefield. We get that women’s bodies aren’t all the same and that what works for one, might not work for another. With that in mind, we had three intrepid standard size 8 surfers set out to road test a range of long-sleeved springsuits and report back on what works, and what doesn’t.

Head to www.sunshinesurfgirls.com for more info and pics of our wetsuit review!

Roxy Ladies XY Collection 1mm Bikini L/S Springsuit RRP$199.99

F'N Lite neoprene YKK front zip

Flatlock stitched seams Back zip-up pocket for secure storage

Liz: I liked the colours of this one but the sizing is weird. The 6 was HUGE on me (Size 6 = 165 – 170cms). I can’t really say anything about the fit or warmth because it just wasn’t the right size for me.

Bec: This suit was comfy to surf in but didn’t really do anything to keep me warm.

I liked the front zip. It’s big for a size 6.

Emma: The colour and design of this suit are super funky but it fits all wrong (I was constantly adjusting) and offers no real warmth. I wanted to love it.

Roxy Ladies XY Collection 2mm L/S Springsuit RRP$199.99

Polished panel design F'N Lite neoprene Booty cut

YKK front zip Flatlock stitched seams Back zip-up pocket for secure storage

Liz: I wanted to like this wettie, I really did! Its super cute but again, the size 6 was just way too big so I couldn’t really review it.

Bec: This suit was comfy and warm. Strangely, while it’s still too big, the 2mm fits better than the 1mm.

Emma: This suit is a cute cut and fits my torso and arms well. The legs are a little bit wide for me.

Emma

The Surfers:

176cm, 60kg, string bean.

Bec

Liz

164cm, 55kgs, athletic build.

155cm, 50kgs, pear shaped.

Hurley Women’s Fusion 202 L/S front zip springsuit RRP$199.99 2mm Exoflex Front zip entry

S eamless paddle zones –

zero restriction in high flex areas

¬

Seams Glued/Blind stitched/Spot taped

Liz: There’s not much I didn’t love about this suit. I love that the seams are glued and taped, I love the fit, I love the warmth, I love the long front zip that means I didn’t have to dislocate my shoulder to get in and out of it and I really love the pattern, which makes me feel like I should be in a James Bond movie. I don’t love that it rides up my bum, but that could just be me!

Bec: This was a great style and a flattering cut for me. It was very warm and I loved the low zip.

The tightness of the arms was a bit of a downfall…

Emma: I felt like a badass in this suit, like I was going to come up from underwater with a shark between my teeth. It was a great fit and didn’t ride up or cut my butt in half like others.

I love the hidden pocket.

Rip Curl G Bomb L/S Spring High Cut RRP$179.99 100% 1mm E4 Neoprene E-Stitch High stretch seams

Strong Zip Closure

Liz: The colours and the stretch on this were great, but the bottom cut my bum in half and I almost dislocated my shoulders getting in and out of it (so hard when its wet!). The 1mm wasn’t really thick enough to keep me warm.

Bec: This was really comfy and I love the front zip and colours. This would be the perfect wettie for me if it was 2mm!

Emma: This suit was very comfortable. I did spend a lot of time adjusting the bum though and the short zip made it tricky to get in and out of. I would wear this on a warmer day just to protect against any wind chill.

Patagonia WS R1 FZ L/S Spring Suit RRP$229.95 2

.5mm neoprene (torso/thighs) and 2mm (arms)

W ater-resistant recycled polyester jersey lining

Hidden key loop. E

xternal seam sealing. Seams

are triple glued, blindstitched and internally taped for additional strength

Liz: I love this suit. It fit perfectly everywhere, which made it super comfy and it was so toasty too. The neck opening was easier to get in to and out of than I thought it would be, even when wet. It was a breeze to paddle in and I really didn’t want to take it off.

Bec: This was definitely the warmest suit of the ones we tested.

It’s a great design and is so comfy. My favourite.

Emma: This felt like a ‘real’ wetsuit. It was super comfy, like I wasn't even wearing a wettie! It was very warm too and I love the chest zip, so easy to get into. It was the only suit I did not adjust at all while in or out of the water.

G IVEAWAY

We’ve got one R1 long-armed spring suit to giveaway thanks to the kind folk at Patagonia.

We think you'll love it and want to wear it forever! To win, simply post pictures of something old you love and believe gets better with age, or is too good to replace, and tag @sunshinesurfgirls and #betterthannew. Enter on facebook, instagram or email.

Entries close 14th June 2015.

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Zee Hot Candy 2mm L/S Spring RRP$199.00 2

mm super stretch neoprene with thermo A

ll suits come with one free custom stretch for added warmth

Flatlock

Stitching L

ifetime warranty on workmanship

alteration (if needed)

C an be customised for colour and fit

Liz: I really liked this suit. The lining makes it super warm and it fit well everywhere.

Bec: This one was really warm and comfy.

Emma: This suit is warm and very comfortable around the chest, and it’s a more modest leg length than the high cuts so there’s little adjustment required. The arm length was a little too short and wide for me, so I'd take advantage of the one free custom alteration.

O’Neill Bahia l/s 2mm Spring RRP$159.99

1

00% Ultraflex DS D ouble superseal neck C hest/back: Smooth Skin P

ocket with keyloop F

latlock stitched: Breathable seams Liz: This suit fit me well in the torso and arms. It was super stretchy and soft and the colours were great. The legs were too big on me though and rode up a lot in the water.

Bec: I loved the colours of this suit and it was really comfy but not as warm as others. It was a bit baggy around the bum.

Emma: This suit was super fun and colourful. It was a great fit and very flattering. The back zip was great and I love the cute key pocket.

The modest high cut made it a good balance between function and style.

Billabong Salty Daze LS Spring RRP$159.99

2

mm neoprene F

ull exposed 3/4 front zip closure S

ublimated panels Liz: This suit fit in all the right places and looked cute too! It’s not as warm as some of the other suits, but the shape, fit and colours were great. I think if my boobs were much bigger I’d have trouble getting out of it.

Bec: It’s easy for me to get in and out of and is a nice cut, comfy and warm too!

Emma: This one fit well, was very comfortable, the bottoms stayed in place and are fairly modest. I love the colours – not too girly or over the top but cheerful.

Rip Curl Women’s Dawn Patrol 2.2 L/S Spring RRP$169.99 100% 2mm E4 Neoprene Mesh leg seals Internal key stash pocket Liz: The legs on this one did my thighs no favours and the neck was really big so the water got in.

Bec: Comfy, warm and a good fit.

I didn’t love the colours but they looked better when they were wet.

Emma: This suit was comfy and didn’t need much adjustment in the water. I liked the back zip and slick around the wrists to stop water getting in which made it warm.

The neck was a little too wide for me.

all

sur f

t r av e l

Surf aboard Travel

f r i e n ds

SSG have teamed up with The Perfect Wave to run all-girls surf charters to the

Maldives.

Come and join us on our next adventure.

Friends

For more information head to www.sunshinesurfgirls.com or drop us a line hi@sunshinesurfgirls.com.au

Stoked to be supported by:

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Raspberry Coconut Love Ingredients • • • • •

A handful of frozen raspberries 200ml of coconut water 1 tablespoon of natural Greek yogurt 1 teaspoon of honey 3 or 4 cubes of ice

Blend it all together and VOILA! Sprinkle some fresh coconut on top and then drink up buttercup!

I like to make a bigger batch and freeze extra into icy-pole moulds.

YUM!

Nourishment for the body and soul

images and recipes by Hayley Shaw-McGuinness Surfing nourishes our souls, but our bodies need nourishment too… and the better we eat, the better we surf. Eating well isn’t hard and doesn’t require a masters degree in nutrition.

It doesn’t even have to cost the earth or use foods you’ve never heard of – although that can be a lot of fun! The easiest way to start eating more healthful foods? Swap out the heavily processed foods and get in the kitchen! Not only will you be exploring new taste sensations, you’ll be more energized and able to spend more time in the water surfing.

And who doesn’t want that?

The lovely Hayley from herwhodreams.com shared some of her favourite recipes with us.

Fish Tacos

Zest It Up Salad

After spending some time in Hawaii, I have a new obsession with fish tacos so here is my adaptation of a fish taco... slightly healthier version though!

Ingredients

Ingredients

• 1 lemon (zested & juiced)

• • • • • • • • • • •

Organic rye flat bread Purple cabbage Avocado 1 Tomato 1 small tin corn 1 fresh chilli 1 fresh lime Coriander 2 pieces of small white fish 1 ½ cup wholemeal bread crumbs 1 egg

Dip the fish in the egg and roll in the bread crumbs on a plate until covered.

Cook fish in a pan on a medium heat until cooked through and is a golden brown colour.

Heat the flat bread in a clean pan until it crisps up. Finely chop the tomato and chilli and cabbage.

Now is the fun bit, you build your fish taco.

Whack it all on the flat bread (taco) and top with the avo, fresh coriander and a pinch of salt. Wrap it up, put it in your belly and smile.

Raspberry Coconut Brekky Muffins

• 1/2 cup of brown rice

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of quinoa

• • • • • • • • •

• 1/2 cup of olive oil

• 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar • Salt and pepper (to taste)

• 1/3 cup of dried mango, apricots and cranberries • 1/2 a cucumber (sliced and diced) • 250g of reduced fat feta • Fresh basil and mint

Cook brown rice and quinoa as directed on packages. In a small saucepan combine olive oil, lemon zest/juice, and vinegar. Heat until warm and season with salt and pepper.

Chop the dried fruit into small pieces and put into a large mixing bowl. Pour heated dressing over the fruit.

Add cooked rice and quinoa along with cucumber and feta.

In original sauce pan, add the almonds and gently toast them until golden brown. Toss fresh herbs and almonds on top.

Ready to eat – YUM!

1 3/4 cup of flour 1 ¾ cup of almond meal 2 cups of shredded coconut 1 cup of brown or coconut sugar ½ cup of honey 1 ½ cups of natural yogurt 4 eggs 1 pinch of baking soda 1cup of frozen raspberries

Preheat oven to 170.C Combine all the dry ingredients into a bowl.

Mix yogurt and eggs together separately and then mix into the dry bowl.

Scatter the frozen berries and fold throughout the mixture.

Fill the muffin cases ¾ full, bake for 35 – 40 mins. I pulled my muffins out at the halfway point and sprinkled muesli on top for extra taste and crunch.

You can keep this salad in the fridge for a few days and it actually tastes better after it has rested for a while as all the flavors come to bloom like a pretty flower. You can also use any grains you would like in this one or any dried fruits you like as well.

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images courtesy of Josh Cohen – Josh Cohen Photos.

Surf SocialGood Summit 2015

Over the weekend of 15th to 18th May, a group of surfers gathered in Bali. In itself that’s nothing unique: surfers from around the globe have been visiting the hallowed waves of Bali for more than 40 years. This group of surfers however, was different.

They were in Bali for the first Surf + Social Good Summit.

Recognising the unique ability of surfing as both a unifying force and a tool for empowerment, the Summit brought together stakeholders from the surf industry,

business, academia, non-profit organisations and media as well as the wider community to identify challenges and opportunities in using surfing as a tool for social good.

What does that mean?

Organisations like Waves of Freedom, A Liquid Future, Beyond the Surface International, Little Seeds Surf Coaching and Salt Gypsy have shown the effect surfing can have on empowering individuals (particularly young women and girls) as well as local and global communities.

The goal of the Summit was to create an avenue for coordinated, innovative social development so that organisations and individuals can work together rather than operating in a vacuum.

With American, British, New Zealand, Australian, Portugese, Indonesian, Maldivian & Kurdish representatives, the Summit was a truly international one.

The speakers were as diverse as the countries represented. Dr Peter Brosius

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and Tara Ruttenburg spoke on how surf tourism often marginalises local communities and presented suggestions for moving toward sustainable Surf Tourism. Nev Hyman led a discussion on the environmental impact of surfing and what we can do about it, and Dr. Belinda Wheaton travelled from the University of Waikato, NZ, to represent her team's research on Sport and Gender.

Days were structured around themes: Inspire+Connect to broaden perspectives on surf and social good, Create +Collaborate to identify opportunities and solutions and share solution prioritisation and Impact Lab, to establish knowledge needs for surf to enable development.

The Summit also hosted the inaugural Girls Make Waves day that saw a group of girls from the Bali Life Orphanage receive surfing lessons from the pros.

Through connecting beaches to the boardrooms, to the research labs, and to the community halls the Surf + Social Good Summit helped create solutions for sustainable surfing futures. And that’s something we can all benefit from.

“Once you get in the water, the rules and norms of society dissolve and the power of the ocean to connect and spread happiness is huge.”

Easkey Britton.

CALL: 07 5474 1010 sales@zeewetsuits.com www.zeewetsuits.com Sunshine Surf Girls

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We make surf travel easy for you...

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