Surfing mums was started by the dream two women had, to have children and still surf.
Why Surfing Mums?
Where did it start?
The Perfect Partnership
How it Works
Why Surfing Mums?
Not only the dream but the need to surf that is like needing the air we breath or the water we drink. As a surfer before children, we were only limited by our work, or by other commitments, but there was always some time during the day when you could make it down to the surf. Then we had children and suddenly we had a 24 hour 7 day a week commitment, children didn’t give us time off for an early or late surf, they sure didn’t care when the surf was good and we would have been happy with just a 20 minute paddle. No these little bundles of joy did not give any leave way for a surfing mum. Sure we got the occasional paddle on weekends when a partner or friends would look after our little ones, but was that really enough? It was not enough for two women living in a town blessed with endless waves and one of the most perfect right handers in Australia.
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| One of the many perfect waves in Byron Bay |
Where did it start?
Vanessa and Julia live in Byron Bay on the East Coast of Australia. Byron Bay is town founded on surfing and a little bit of whaling way back then. The Pass, Wategoes, Broken Head, Belongil and Tallows make up some of the best surf spots on the East Coast all with in a 10km (6 mile) radius. How could two surfing girls sit on the beach with their babies and watch glorious waves pass them by everyday?
The Perfect Partnership
Well they couldn’t, Vanessa and Julia set up a partnership where one mum would watch the two children on the beach while the other one got in a 30 minute surf, and vice versa. So they went from the occasional desperate surf to surfing everyday. Now the children are 2 and 3 years old and the mums are only limited by the occasional work commitment and day care days where they get to surf together for a change!
Now they couldn’t keep this new found secret to themselves. Every surfing mum had to have the opportunity to surf as much as they wanted or needed too. So Surfing Mums was formed. Surfing Mums is a group based at your local break where you can meet other mums and form the same partnership that Julia and Vanessa did. One year later Surfing Mums then took the big step in January 2008 of becoming an incorporated association. A real surfing club for mothers was born.
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| Julia juggling child and board! |
How it Works
The actual group meets once a week, fortnightly or once a month, and this is just a time to catch up on surfing news and share stories of your month. If the surf is good then they get some waves in too, while the kids play with their new found friends on the beach. But this is also a time to meet other mums and set up your own weekly surf dates.
Mums often ask "how will I know if my child is safe while I am in the water?". The only way to do this is to form the relationships with the other mums before you start 'beach sitting'. Meet up a few times on the beach before you leave your child with your new surfing mum friend, then maybe start with a few short sessions, as your confidence builds you'll soon be surfing for up to an hour before its your turn to swap and let the other mum go out for a surf. It is however ultimately your responsibility to ensure the safety of yourself and your child. We are only coordinators of this activity and all participation is voluntary.
Use the web site to meet other mums in the Forum section, or check out if anyone in your area has similar profiles to yours in the profile section. Catch up on surfing news that relates to women or kids in the articles, or surf reports for your area.
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| Our children on the beach while one mum is in the surf |
Surfing Mums Inc FAQ
- What is Surfing Mums Inc?
Surfing Mums Incorporated is a not for profit association that supports a network of mums that surf and who meet at the beach to alternate childcare duties enabling mums to enjoy some time in the surf. Surfing Mums Inc groups are situated where ever mothers surf and involve mothers of varying surfing abilities and different surf crafts (longboards, shortboards, bodyboards, kneeboards, stand up paddle boards bodysurfing etc), and mothers of children of different ages (from 1 day old-18 years). We also encourage fathers and other careers to belong to the groups. The association is valid in Australia and New Zealand only.
- Why is Surfing Mums Inc an incorporated association?
Surfing Mums became an incorporated association in January of 2008 to protect its members from personal liability and ensure the safety of its members by providing duty of care that is obligatory as an incorporated association. This includes all members complying with the work with children checks necessary in their state and first aid kits being available at the beach in all scheduled meetings. Group coordinators are also senior first aid certificate holders. Surfing Mums Inc has a risk management policy and an anti discrimination policy which we uphold.
All members must pay an annual fee to belong to Surfing Mums Inc.
- How much is the membership fee?
The annual membership fee is $30. This is subject to change.
All money goes back into Surfing Mums Inc and pays for public liability insurance, administration, first aid kits and training and social or educational activities as requested by its members.
By direct deposit over the internet preferably, at any Westpac bank or otherwise directly to your group coordinator. Please make sure when paying direct deposit you put your full name in the description line. They will provide you with bank details and a membership form.
- What benefits are there to becoming a member?
As a member you are covered by our public liability insurance while attending scheduled surfing mums Inc meetings, as well as the protection of an association from personal liabilities. You get to meet other mums and their children who share the same passion as you as well as get to surf with out needing to arrange alternate childcare. As a group member you are given a contact list that contains the names, contact details and dates available so you can arrange surf sessions outside the scheduled meeting times.
You get to participate in social and educational sessions organized by group coordinators such as surf coaching, surf trips and parenting/surf educational talks.
- Am I entitled to any discounts?
Surfing Mums Inc has a number of sponsors who provide us with discounts on their products. These are normally surf or parenting related products.
- Can I try it out before I join?
Yes, please come along to a meeting and see if Surfing Mums Inc suites you. If you decide to come along again please get a membership form from your group coordinator and pay your membership fee.
- What happens at a Surfing Mums meeting?
Mums and children meet on the beach at a designated time and location. Information on meetings is available on the webpage at all times as well as contact details for the group coordinator. Mums can opt to either chat with other mums or designate a mum to look after her child while she goes for a surf. We recommend that only one mum at a time is looking after another mother child or children as watching kids at the beach is a demanding activity!
- What about if I can’t surf?
Surfing Mums Inc does not provide tuition for surfing. You are responsible for your own surfing education. We can however recommend local surf schools if you would like to take some classes or you are welcome to come along to the meetings and use that time to practice your surf skills. We do not have surf boards or any other surf equipment for rent but you might be able to arrange to borrow some by private arrangement.
- What is involved in being a group coordinator?
- Group coordinators advise the dates, times and locations of the meetings to the www.surfingmums.com administrator, as well as locally promote the meetings via flyers, contacting local newspapers or any other means that seem fit.
- The coordinator complies a contact list of participants that is made available to the local paid members of SMI advising phone or email addresses, and dates and times that the participants are available to surf outside of surfing mums inc meetings.
- The coordinator gives new members the membership form to fill in and keeps a copy at their home while sending on copies to SMI head office
- The coordinator makes sure the members comply with the relevant state regulations concerning working with children checks
- The coordinator makes sure a first aid kit is available at meetings and either themselves or another SMI member present at the meeting has a first aid certificate
- The coordinator may chose to conduct fundraising activities to raise funds for the SMI account that can then fund local activities
- The coordinator can provide the www.surfingmums.com administrator with local group news and photos so members can access this through the webpage or via individual/group emails
- What insurance policy do we use?
Sports Cover (underwritten by Lloyd’s) General Liability insurance up to 10 million and capital benefits up to $5,000. Insurance is yet to be started (as of March 1, 2008)- dates will be advised.
**Please be aware we are only coordinators of this activity and you participate at your own risk. We hold no responsibility for any participants safety. Please use appropriate beach safety precautions while particpating in any surf activities with you and your children.
