The 23rd annual Albany Boardriders Girls Surf Camp was held over the September long weekend in the stunning south coast town of Bremer Bay.
Forty-six women and girls, ranging in age from six to 46, descended on the small town renowned for its pristine environment, crystal-clear water, white sandy beaches and, of course, awesome surf.
The Girls Surf Camp ran over two-and-a-half days, with five surf coaching sessions catering for all abilities, supported by Surfing WA Regional Operations Manager Kim Clift and two Surfing WA Surf School coaches.
Weather conditions over the weekend were far from ideal. On Saturday, we had strong south-easterly winds and rain to contend with. The girls were extremely resilient throughout the morning session, but unfortunately we had to cancel the afternoon session as conditions deteriorated.
We did, however, all come together after the footy grand final, with Surfing WA’s Kim facilitating a Swellness session, complete with a quiz and spot prizes to cheer up all the Freo supporters!
The girls were super keen on Sunday morning and, with north-easterly winds, we headed to a much cleaner and more surfable Blossoms Beach for both sessions. The swell size was perfect for all abilities and the girls had a great morning. Conditions for the afternoon session were even better, with the sun even making an appearance.
Kim and Surfing WA Surf School Coach Paul Lipscombe also took small groups through the practical Surfers Rescue 365 component, an incredibly important skill when surfing the remote beaches of the south coast.
Monday morning brought another change in wind direction, this time from the north-west, allowing us to change locations to John’s Cove/Main Beach. The swell was perfect, with some great banks helped by the inlet being open, and once again we enjoyed a good surf for all abilities.
Watching the weather forecast unfold in the lead-up to the weekend was a little stressful. Just about every weather condition was forecast and we pretty much had it all! But the wet weather and cold conditions did not stop the girls, and their resilience was unbreakable. The coaches and I were incredibly proud. Sometimes the best surf conditions don’t align with perfect weather, and that was a great lesson for the girls.
The town of Bremer Bay provides the women and girls with a beautiful backdrop for a weekend of learning new skills, gaining confidence and having fun in the water. But our weekend is about more than just surfing. We want participants to enjoy a safe and supportive environment where they can work towards their goals while being nurtured and encouraged along the way.
The weekend brings so much joy and happiness to the participants, families and coaches. Each day was filled with laughter, friendship and great vibes, and our hearts were overflowing by the final day.
As camp organiser, my favourite part of the weekend is seeing the women and girls create friendships and find new surfing buddies, immerse themselves in the ocean and become more confident in their abilities. With the support and encouragement of our coaches, I also get to watch their surfing skills improve throughout the weekend.
I love the heartwarming moments and smiling faces, and my hope is that the Girls Surf Camp model can one day be offered to more women and girls across WA and beyond.
Becky Mitchell
Volunteer Girls Surf Camp Coordinator
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