I am, of course, talking about Gaza. My feed is flooded with images I never thought would make their way into reality. I’m torn between avidly following and sharing them, because awareness is crucial, trying to drive change together is crucial; but also not wanting these images impregnated on my brain.

I’ve been trying to explain to my kids why what is going on is so important, that we all need to use our voice. There was a demonstration on Friday that we all went to, my kids potentially more engaged because it involved banging spoons on pans than truly understanding the true implications of starving children and families. I was proud of the turnout locally, but also can’t help thinking ‘I’ve signed so many petitions. I’ve been to demonstrations. The whole world is in uproar and nothing seems to change’. What will make a difference if the current level of public opinion and distress doesn’t?

But we plough on. And we do our day to day things. We keep our families safe, and we try to make a difference alongside the normality. A skate, or a surf might be part of that journey, and in the stark reality of it all, sometimes these things help.

This post by sums all of this up brilliantly, take a read here:

I don’t have much more to add to this, because as I said at the outset, I am lost for words. I hope you like this week’s newsletter. It will be the last one until September, as I am having a little time out. Time to hug my kids, to have a rest, and to fully appreciate the great privilege we have here, every day. Before we go, we’ve got an interview with the amazing Lucy Adams dropping on wednesday, and when we return, we have author and skater / snowboard Emylia Hall (of the Shellhouse Diaries) coming on the podcast.

Have a good week all

Caroline x

Founder, Board Women

Don’t be Board

Pipe Dreams: The next series of Surf Girls on Prime Video

I’ve been watching this bad ass group of girls in the Surf Girls season and lamenting why I wasn’t brought up in Hawaii, and why I will never have this level of expertise of surfing. This lot are seriously inspirational.

The Career Comedown: the latest book from @fbeinghumble

We’ve had Stef on the podcast before, listen here, and she’s excellent. I like the shift she’s made with this book, away from self promotion, to the notion that many of us questioning the role work has and seeking a shift in some way. One to pre-order.

Women who Peaked Late in Life: FiftyandBold

I liked this reminder that it’s never too late to try something new.

The Mega Menopause Survey

Davina McCall has worked pretty tirelessly to ensure the menopause is better understood. Last year this questionnaire got 20,000 replies, and this year they’re aiming for 30,000: get involved.

The Mental Load - Cat Sims (aka @notsosmugnow)

I mentioned this had been released a few weeks ago, and now I’m mid way through, and every page is ringing bells. Definitely one to pick up.

Wild Bare Thoughts: The Quiet Thrill of not being for everyone

I really enjoyed this WILD BARE THOUGHTS substack post by on the power of refusing to perform.

“the world doesn’t need another perfectly palatable person. It needs you, in all your specific, untranslatable complexity. The quiet thrill of not being for everyone is really the profound relief of finally being for yourself”

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If you’re travelling with your skateboard this summer, check this out

Sister Sessions at The Wave, Bristol, August 13th

These are always on when I’m away! The Sister Sessions seem to have consistent feedback as being brilliant, so check them out for a friendly vibe and the opportunity to meet like minded women.

Skate & Social, August 2nd, Falmouth

Affinity Skateboarding and @faltranscollective have come together for a relaxed skate session and zine making.

Brighton SkateBoard Film Club: 9th August

On for one night only at the World’s End Pub, this is your opportunity to see a cult class, they’re asking for you to vote for your preferred choice.

Women, Girls & Non Binary Session at The Loading Bay, 25th August

The session covers skating, BMX and parkour, lots of fun to be had.

The Board Crew

Sammi Bache is the founder of Girl Skate Mag, a brilliant read reflecting some of the hidden stories in skateboarding. I caught up with her to find out more about why and how she got into skateboarding and what it means to her. Look out for Sammi on the podcast soon.

When and how did you get into board sports?

I got into board sports through surfing—it's actually the first one I tried. I’ve been surfing for as long as I can remember. There hasn’t been a summer growing up where I didn’t surf. My sister and I used to go to Sennen Surf School every single year with Dave, and honestly, she’s probably the better surfer between us!

As for skating, I first started back in school, around Year 10. I used to cruise around my neighbourhood on a Penny Nickel board. I did that for years, right up until college when I bought a skateboard. Then at university, I joined the skateboarding society, and it all just evolved from there. We used to skate every day in the Quarry car park in Falmouth with a group of girls—it was such a fun time and really where it all kicked off properly.

What do you love about skateboarding?

What I love most about board sports is the sense of togetherness—there's such a strong community aspect. Some of my closest friends, the people I truly connect with, I’ve met through skateboarding. When I first started making my magazine, I didn’t really know anyone outside the Cornwall skate scene. But through traveling and meeting people in different places, I’ve never felt out of place or anxious. You just kind of fit in—because at the end of the day, you all love the same thing: skateboarding.

It's the same with surfing. Even though I don’t fully consider myself a surfer these days, it definitely brought me and my sister closer growing up. There’s also a real sense of looking out for each other in the water—because the sea can be a scary place with the currents and everything.

I haven’t tried snowboarding yet because I have Raynaud’s, but maybe one day!

Describe how it feels when you’re on a board.

It might sound a bit cliché—and I’m sure a lot of people feel this way—but being on a board just feels freeing. These days, I don’t skate to get better or push tricks; I skate because I genuinely enjoy the feeling. I love just cruising, doing a few ollies, a few kickturns—very surf-skate kind of style, I guess.

It’s more about flow than progression for me now. I’m always listening to Fleetwood Mac when I skate, which definitely adds to that smooth, flowy feeling. It’s like the world softens a bit, and you’re just in it, rolling.

What would you say to anyone considering trying?

I’d say just enjoy it. Simple, right? Don’t overthink it, don’t stress about being good. Just show up, have fun, and enjoy it.

I can’t help but think that we’ve got this ageing lark all wrong. The negativity that surrounds the concept of ageing still lingers on, despite the generational shift that has clearly taken place when it comes to older people and their ability to be active, travel, and still see their later years as those of opportunity.

Somehow we still limit ourselves, despite all evidence to the contrary. “I’m too old for that” is still a common theme I hear when it comes to trying new sports. Or worse, the expectation that if we’re not good at something by now, we’ll never be good at it.

It’s an attitude that makes fun and joy a zero sum game. Suitable for some, but not for all.

What if we actually saw ageing as an upgrade? We know more. Have seen more. Have tried more. And realise by now that no-one gives a shit. The curse of being a teenager and in your twenties, the years of working it all out in the most public of ways (particularly nowadays), with your foremost concern being what people think of you. It’s a curse that I just don’t think about in my late 40’s. Because I recognise what a bloody waste of time it is. And if I could go back and shake myself for all the times I turned down an opportunity, lessened my fun in some way, simply decided I wasn’t good at something, I damn well would.

The ‘We Do Not Care Club’ (founded by @justbeingmelani ) that has been flying across the internet in recent weeks screams this sentiment (I should point out that I’m not a fan of these ‘jump on the bandwagon, lets all do the social media trend that will perform, but still, you have to take note, especially if it’s allowing women to take ownership of a period where traditionally they disappear).

I liked this recent post from Self Space (always one to watch for a virtual kick up the bum or a pick me up):

The premise being, you’d never root for the character to make the safe, boring choice. Always the brave one.

Our superpower as women in our 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and beyond is just that. The power to make anything but the safe choice. To not give a stuff what people think. I say bring it on.

Have a good week all,

Caroline x

Board Women Founder

Don’t Be Board

Beyond Boards x Natalie Porter

Check out this Interview with the founder of @womensk8ghistory Natalie is someone who hasn’t necessarily sought the limelight, but has written the book ‘Girl Gangs, Zines and Powerslides’ to shine a spotlight on the unsung women, BIPOC pioneers and queer trailblazers who helped propel skateboarding to the Olympics. The book is released in 2025, and the episode is a good precursor, including 20 surprise questions from Natalie’s friends.

Tony Hawk lost his skateboard (and is he really Tony Hawk)

Begin Again: Davina x Gillian Anderson Interview

I’m loving the current world obsessions with all things Gillian Anderson (whether you’ve been caught up with The Salt Path debacle or not, what’s not to like about Sex Education, and her book Want).

The Everyday Adventure Podcast x Emma Simpson

I love Nikki’s Everyday Adventure podcast, but this episode particularly struck me. Emma used to be an air traffic controller, but leaving the job due to stress, and other life changing events led her to cold water swimming, and to writing.

Her book Breaking Waves explores the relationship of women and water all around the world. I’ve just ordered & will report back.

The Observer: There is no political power without power over the archive

If you love a library, and see them as essential to society (I do), then you’ll find this piece fascinating. Trumps administration are on the attack to ban books that bring to light what they see as offensive points of view, and librarians are even receiving death threats.

Written by the author of ‘Burning the Books’ the piece details stats like the number of book bans (a staggering rise from 273 challenges between 2001 and 2020, and now 9000+ challenges in 2023 alone). Worth a read.

“The current wave of book banning sweeping the country has created a chilling effect on our education system and the purchasing of books in our libraries,” Jones wrote in her book That Librarian. “This is a huge movement that has been in the works for a while. It is well funded and well coordinated. It is about marginalising and erasing cultures and groups of people; it is about defunding public institutions; it is about dumbing down society for a more easily led population; and it is about using libraries for political gain.”

Empire Skate: Supreme x NYC’s skateboarding scene

As the Empire Skate documentary (documenting the history of skateboarding in NY and its relationship to Supreme) finds its way to Disney+ and a whole new audience. This article is an interview with the director Josh Swade.

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Transkaters x Canopy Skate Retreat 29th - 31st August

Lovely group and lovely location, check this one out.

Surf Birds Collective Underwater Training

I so want to have a go at this under water training for surfing. I can’t make this one, but if anyone finds one in sussex, let me know!

Black People Surf Day

This ones for the Californian readers amongst you x

Community East - Female Classes Fridays

Weekly session from 6-7pm on a Friday, with all equipment supplied. Get yourself down to this lovely Norwich skate spot.

The Board Crew:

Sheree aka @sheree_princess_of_powerslides runs the girls & women’s sessions at Mount Hawke skatepark in Cornwall (one of the biggest in the UK) on the last Friday of every month. She’s also a keen surfer and snowboarder and runs Cornwall Longboard Ladies Crew.

I first heard from Sheree when she explained to me that she co-founded Brighton Longboard Ladies Crew, with Sabina Edwards (who she wants this interview to be in memory of). Sabina sadly died of pancreatic cancer in 2023, a pioneer of women’s longboarding in the UK, and in Brighton in particular.

When and how did you get into Board Sports?

Although I had a skateboard since I was a teenager, I feel like I really started skating when I met my skate buddy Sabina through Longboard Brighton in 2013. It's a free group and we were learning downhill sliding. We were both keen to learn all types of board riding. We also started attending Lucy Adam's Brighton She Shredders where we learned to skate park. Between them we learned a bit of park, longboard dance, downhill racing, downhill slide, and distance push racing. We soon started taking part in events and competitions in all of these categories, and eventually holding our own. Skating is how I met my fiancé, and as he's from Czech that's where I learned snowboarding. We moved to Cornwall to learn to surf.

What do you love about Board Sports?

I love how board sports teach you to face your fears and shows you how to be stronger.

Describe how it feels when you’re on a board

I always loved the freedom it gave me to escape from the rest of the world. In Brighton there is a lot of space to skate and I loved to just pass by the busy city.

What would you say to anyone considering trying?

Board sports can take your life in a new direction so take that opportunity!

Sheree is helping to run free Holiday Beginner sessions for girls aged 5-16 so if you have girls in your life, get them down there! More details here:

Thanks so much for reading! Let me know if there is anything you’d love to see more / less of in the weekly newsletter. If you want more content in your inbox, and free access to our online events, and 10% off our IRL events, try our paid membership, only £7 a month.

Caroline x

Board Women Founder

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Now don’t get me wrong. I am here for taking time off. I am here for going on holiday as often as you possibly can, and ideally making it extended travel time. I get the theory of spending time with your kids while they actually want to spend time with you. I am here for all of it.

Except.

We are one week in and I am EXHAUSTED. We are trying to take a chunk of time off in August (which we are privileged to even have the flexibility to consider, we forget in these ‘just 18 summers’ messages that most of us don’t have any flex over the summer & we’re just struggling to get by). Which means July is heads down making money (we both work for ourselves), the kids are in clubs, and we are feeling the pressure to make all of the surrounding time fantastic, joyful. What summer holidays should be.

The kids are knackered too. And so they are just that bit more whiney. They aren’t necessarily happy recipients of all of the planned fun. They of course want to do the opposite of what we want, most of the time.

And lost in the middle of all of this is time for ourselves. Or, it can be. I am walking a multi-tasking tight-rope of trying to prioritise little chunks of time for me. A cheeky sea swim after club drop off. A walk before I start work. An early slot at the skate park. Because I can truly only stay sane if my cup is semi-full.

Sometimes I feel like an anomaly, as I see so many peers not prioritising themselves in this way. Maybe I’m a narcissist, considering my own needs before those of my kids, but I don’t see it as that way. Because I know I am a better mother, friend, partner, colleague if I am experiencing happiness in the pockets of my life where I need to.

How are you prioritising yourself this week? Count this as your Monday permission to do so.

Good luck to all the parents out there. And to those of you who aren’t parents, good luck with all of those scooter kids suddenly coming your way in the skate park x

Caroline

Board Women Founder x

Don’t be Board

The Shark Whisperer on Netflix

This documentary is mind blowing. I’m not going to be taking up the opportunity to stroke the nose of tiger sharks and great whites any time soon, but I highly recommend you check out the woman who does. Must watch.

For some skateboarding inspo from the 70’s

For those of us who look better at board sports in our heads than reality

I liked this little clip from @thesaltysouls

Feeling the mental load? Check this out

Cat of @notsosmugnow fame wrote the Mental Load List 2 years ago, it went viral, and now her book on the same topic has been released. One to queue up, I’ve just downloaded this & will report back.

If you’re in need of a getaway: be an Unyoked tester

I stayed in an unyoked cabin recently in Wales, and it was bliss. Beautifully kitted out cabin space, stunning views, and totally switched off from screens. If you feel like you could be up to the task of testing out more of their spots, this is for you.

Weligama Surf Schools Removed from Beaches

We are looking at spending a few months in Sri Lanka early next year, and therefore the recent news about the surf schools being cleared from the beaches in Weligama have been really sad to see. The government have stated it’s because these schools are set up illegally, but much of the community depends on their existence. Super sad to see.

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Get your miniramp skills down

The guys from Board AF in Littlehampton are ace, and this is a brilliant breakdown of your basic mini ramp skills to work on.

Queer Skate Brighton x BHSA x Route One Pop Up

Queer Skate Brighton are back after their stint of travel, and hosting a free day in Brighton with lessons, an open session, skate jam and a pop up skate park. Get yourself along!

Save the Waves Film Festival

Check out the world’s only international surf and environmental film festival in August in North Devon’s World Surfing Reserve. Sponsored by Dry Robe, so you can borrow some warmth if you need it!

Prepping your September Surf Trips? Check out Sisters of Stoke latest trip

The Board Crew

I met Luviama at one of our snowboarding events, via Sarah at Yellow Hat Skateboards. She’s super lovely and skateboarding in particular is clearly something she lives for. Let’s get right on with finding out why.

When and how did you get into board sports?

I started skateboarding in my late 30s, just before Covid in 2019. I found a skateboard in a charity shop in North London for £5, and that was my first ever board. I remember watching X Games with my father when I was younger, so I guess that was my influence—but there wasn’t much of a skate scene in my hometown in Romania at the time.

My first push on a board was actually on my flatmate’s penny board in my early 30s. I didn’t skate again after that, but the itch was still there—just dormant. So grabbing that complete from the charity shop felt like a now-or-never moment. I also learned to snowboard as a teenager, but that was just an occasional winter thing—whereas skateboarding slowly became part of my life, with an ever-growing desire for more. Now I just want to skate for as long as I possibly can.

What do you love about skateboarding?

What I love most is the feeling of achievement—when you try for what feels like forever to land a trick, and then you get it… it’s just sweet and addictive for me. I also love the chill days when I skate with no goal in mind. They feel creative and flowing. It’s not always about progress—I get lost in pushing around and exploring new parts of the skatepark, doing tricks I already know. It’s almost meditative for me. I drop into the present moment and forget about what was, or the question of what will be. And of course, the community and the friends I’ve made since have deeply strengthened my connection to it—and my love for it.

Describe how it feels when you’re on a board

How I feel on the board is a big spectrum of emotions, I can say. It just feels right—whether I have a great session or not. I feel pure joy, I feel present, and I feel like I have no age—I’m just playing and pushing my boundaries, with no outside expectations. Of course, there are struggle days when I don’t feel confident, or when I skate after a long day at work—especially now in my 40s. But the end result is always a better mood and a feeling of being just a little bit more alive. I guess I just love being on the board—it makes me feel genuinely happy.

What would you say to anyone considering trying it?

I’d say: definitely try it. You might just get the bug—or you might think it’s not for you. And even that feeling might only be for the moment—you could come back to it later, or never again. Both are fine.

What I’d really like to add is that the skateboarding community is way more supportive, non-judgmental, and welcoming than I expected when I first started. It’s more than just skating. At the beginning, going to the skatepark can feel intimidating—like it did for me—but most skateboarders truly appreciate the hard work that goes into it.

They’ll celebrate your wins and encourage you to keep grinding after you fall. Because ultimately, we all go through the same process: falling and getting back up until we claim our win.

Thanks for reading! Until next week! Caroline x

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I’m just back from a wonderful few days at the . If you don’t know what The DO is, it’s a space for ‘Ideas + energy = change'‘. The business covers everything from courses, to books, to the imminently launching Do Radio, but the annual jaunt to the farm of the founder David Hieatt is seen as the highlight. The location is their family farm in the depths of West Wales, staying in tipi’s, listening to inspirational speakers all weekend, mixed with sea dipping, sauna, great food and music.

I was super lucky to attend, and whilst the (more commercial) goal was primarily meeting new people for my main business, the upshot of weekends like this is the opportunity to hear from others and think about what you really want from your own life.

I spent the weekend hearing founder stories that were so inspiring. Founders of health drinks created during maternity leave. A guy who is helping women world wide access more opportunity by giving them washing machines, short cutting what is an arduous existence of handwashing the families clothes. A woman who is transforming schools in China through the power of play.

It makes you keep asking the question ‘what the hell am I doing’, but I keep coming back to the same problem I’m trying to solve with Board Women.

Women reach mid life, and somehow we give up on ourselves. Lose belief in what we are capable of. Fail to prioritise ourselves beyond the many other life responsibilities. That’s what this business is about, solving that problem.

The Do Lectures has given me a little (positive) kick up the ass to get on with it.

I hope you’re in! Have a good week, I hope you enjoy the newsletter

Caroline x

Board Women Founder

Don’t Be Board

The Wave is Open Again! But, what really happened?

The Wave re-opened its doors this weekend, if not its online booking, as systems are still in array in the transition between owners. Great to see its future hopefully secured, but intrigue rages on as to the real behind the scenes story.

Interview with Firefly Oshenisis x GirlSkateMag

If you haven’t seen Firefly’s instagram account, it’s one to check out for her style, the way she mixes art, skateboarding, music and fashion, and her general f**k off attitude. Girl Skate recently interviewed her, check it out here.

The Relaxed Woman - Sophie Morris writes about trying the techniques in Nicola Jane Hobbs’ book

This new book by Nicola Jane Hobbs, ‘Relaxed Woman’ was sparked by a post she wrote that went viral in 2023:

It’s queued up on my kindle as we speak, but this piece by Sophie Morris explores trying the techniques and why we struggle so much to find time for ourselves (I’ve linked the free to read piece, as strictly it’s behind a paywall).

Nowness x Vans ‘iMILLASKATE’ film: The Cholita Skaters of Bolivia

I’ve followed the cholita’s for a while now, but I really enjoyed this latest Vans x Nowness documentary about them. It’s always interesting to see how issues that women in the UK face (e.g. feeling like yourself after becoming a mum) translate elsewhere, even though the circumstances are so different. This community of women are expanding their skate school into a social enterprise, tackling head on the issues of gender inequity in their country, and have recently received funding to build a skatepark to provide the infrastructure to do so.

Does keeping fit in midlife reduced your chance of dementia? Apparently so

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London Skate Mums next meet up 11th July

You can almost guarantee this monthly meet up will be on a Friday I can’t make, I’ll get there some day! This crew are lovely, get along for a super supportive skate.

Surf Birds Collective Le week-end series August 3rd

Yoga, cliff views, post yoga swim, and a cafe meet up, who needs more?

Wild Women Skate meet up at The Hangout Newquay 12th July

The Wild Women Skate ladies are teaming up with The Hangout and Concrete Waves Newquay for an early bird session this Saturday.

Feralux Farm The Wild Garden Retreat 25th - 28th July

I’ve heard such lovely things about this space, check out their next retreat 25th-28th July - they sort your food, entertainment and space to stay, you just bring the skate and the enjoyment.

The Board Crew

I first met Dani aka @mumsgonetotheskatepark at my second time visiting The Skate Retreat (and then my third), but I’d known about her online pre then. Two weeks before I launched Board Women, which I’d been working on for about six months prior (endlessly tweaking the brand etc), the account @womxnonboard launched and I though “shit, someone’s doing it first!”. I soon realised we had different, and complementary aims, and I reached out to see if we might be able to partner. And then Dani and I sat next to each other at dinner at The Skate Retreat and realised who we both were.

She was one of the awesome guests that year, we all supported each other across the week, and Dani’s story of transformation through finding skateboarding really stuck with me.

When and how did you get into board sports?

I started skated age 40 after being persuaded to give it a go with a free adults coaching session at my local skatepark. My son was doing BMX lessons there, so I thought ‘why not?’ and loved it from the moment I managed to just get rolling on my own. My son no longer BMX’s but seven years on I’m still skating!

What do you love about skateboarding?

Skating is pretty much the only ‘sport’ I have ever really enjoyed. I think that in part is due to the social aspect but also because it’s something you can do on your own. It’s very much a solitary ‘battle’ - better with friends who you can support and give you some hype, but also you are overcoming fears and learning new ways to move your body. Obviously I learn slower than others who are younger and less fearful, and I have had to accept that. For me it’s a great blend of mind and body.

Describe how it feels when you’re on a board

I find it freeing. I learnt very quickly you can’t be thinking about what you’re cooking for dinner or whether your kid has done his homework etc whilst you’re skating. You have to block that out and fully concentrate on what you are doing. It’s nice to have time outside of work/family where I’m concentrating on a personal goal, which is part self preservation, part ‘I really wanna learn that trick’. That feeling when you finally get it is amazing.

What would you say to anyone considering trying skateboarding?

Don’t feel put off or self conscious. Join any groups/coaching/girls nights etc in your area (or travel if you can) - as you’ll find a wonderful supportive environment and meet many new friends, which will fuel your desire to learn - and build your confidence. When you’re ready, go to your local park - you’ll find that actually in most places the ‘bro’s’ of the park are just as supportive and happy to help as well. There’s a perception that women and beginners don’t belong in skateparks - but it’s all about respect. Learning the etiquette and ‘rules’ is important, and being aware of other skaters. Every skater started as a beginner. Often the most gnarly skaters are the ones most helpful in offering advice and even a hand as help.

If you want to find a supportive space, and you’re in the Hastings area, Dani runs a weekly inclusive night (girls/women/non binary etc) at Sourcepark Hastings. It’s at 5-7pm every Thursday night, all ages and levels welcome. I can vouch for Dani’s super supportive and inspiring style, get down there!

Thanks so much for reading as ever, we really appreciate your support!

We’ll be announcing our next digital event this week, on board sports and business. If you’ve ever thought you wanted to create a business out of your passion, make sure you sign up for our panel to hear how others have done it! DM me to get on to the wait list.

Time to do simple things. To slow down and not to think. To kick back with a book. To play with my kids with nothing to rush to. To sit in a park.

And the world seems to be craving this too. I read this brilliant substack piece by this week ‘What the 1990’s were actually like (and why you’ll never get it back)’ . It examines all of the things that we took for granted growing up, waiting week to week for your favourite tv show. Poring over a magazine, reading it cover to cover when it was released each week. The social nature of going and picking your videos to rent on a Saturday night.

“You missed a time when mystery was normal, when waiting was a skill instead of torture, and uncertainty felt like possibility instead of technological failure”

I read the essay after coming off the back of a hellish week of logistical nightmares, over work, solo parenting and far too much time in front of a screen or doing something that wasn’t fuelling joy. I arrived at the weekend as a burnt out mess, snapping at my kids, and finding the most simple of tasks difficult.

I desperately needed to slow down. And yet, come 11pm I was still procrastinating, doom scrolling, avoiding the one thing that my body needed. Rest.

I’m trying to rectify that. And herein lies the dilemma - because Board Women (something that does contribute to my levels of joy) is often executed in the very moments that downtime would be an option. It’s a balance, between work, play, family, and side hustles that might well be your future work.

It’s a balance that so many people I know are hustling through, creating their own boundaries, and sometimes pushing their bodies to the limit in the sprint to maximising all of our passions through the world of business. It’s a balance I’m questioning, and I’m interested in how others find it. Hit me up in the comments below, I’d love to learn from others.

And if you’re finding balance a struggle, I’d love to hear from you too. And if you’re reading this in the 10pm scroll hole, get yourself off to bed, your body will thank you for it x

Don’t Be Board:

The Unexpected Closure of The Wave, Bristol

The surf community has been in shock this week since the announcement that The Wave has closed. It seems pretty clear that there’s much that hasn’t yet been covered about the disagreements between funders, and the removal of Nick Hounsfield as a director, one to watch this week.

Why I’m done with Beginners Shame - @thesalty.club

I liked this POV by Caitlin Creeper about embracing our status as beginners.

The 10 Year Old that blows my mind: x games ema_kawakami

My son is a 9 year old skater, so this kid literally blows my mind every time I see him. Amazing result at the x games.

Sam Benjy x skating to Africa

Local skater (Brighton) Sam Benjy has just finished skateboarding to Africa. I’ve loved this journey, a lovely kid highlighting issues surrounding mental health, worth a scroll through all 38 days of content:

SurfGirl Magazine interviewed me!

A big thanks to Hayley Lawrence @_wavesandwords for asking me to do the interview.

Get on Board:

London Surf Girl Community Thursday 3rd July Social

These meet ups are renowned for being super welcoming, get down and meet up with the rest of the London based surf crew.

Skateiq “More to progression than just tricks”

As I’m making my way back into skateboarding after my broken wrist, I’m trying to work on the basics that I missed last time round. Love this video which sums up this approach perfectly.

Downside DIY Skate Jam & Fundraiser Sunday 6th July

The SkatePal team can’t host their own event this year, so Downside DIY are stepping in.

The Board Women Crew:

Meet Sam, this weeks Board Women Crew member. Sam is a surf skate coach and ambassador for Concrete Waves London - but recently her insta has been filled with the most brilliant footage and imagery from her visit to a retreat hosted by @surfskaterstyle (who if you haven’t seen them you 100% need to check out his clips). We caught up to find out more about Sams journey into board sports.

When and how did you get into board sports?

As a young teen growing up in Spain, it started with body boarding. I remember one summer being so obsessed that I would wake up every morning and check one of the trees in our garden to figure out which way the wind was blowing, that way I knew the waves would be good and would head down to the beach immediately. I didn’t really know what I was doing but I loved being out in the water and trying to catch the biggest waves I dared.

Moving back to the UK and navigating becoming an adult I kind of drifted away from board sports. It wasn’t until I had my son that I decided to buy a Penny board. I’d always wanted to learn to skateboard but had either been too embarrassed or thought I couldn’t. I figured at 38 it was now or never and I thought it would be something fun to do with my boy. I braved cruising along the pavements on my own and slowly but surely I got more confident but never really thought I would do more than cruise along the flats. Until I found surfskating and the Concrete Waves London community. Being around such a supportive group of people and having a safe space to learn and practice in was a complete game changer and I’m now doing things I never thought I’d be able to on a skateboard.

What do you love about boardsports?

It’s just the most fun. I get completely engrossed in what I’m doing and it’s probably the only time when I don’t think about looking at my phone and worrying about what’s going on in the outside world. I love that it challenges me but also how rewarding it can be to feel yourself progress if you keep showing up regularly and doing the thing. I love that it gets me outdoors and meeting people from different walks of life. I enjoy the social aspect of speaking to new people and learning from them but also being able to help others and pass on things that I’ve learned. I also love that I get to share skating with my 10 year old son.

Describe how it feels when you’re on a board?

Riding a moving board feels like freedom or maybe close to flying. When you get into a flow and everything feels effortless and you’re completely in the zone letting your body respond to the ground or obstacles around you moment to moment. It’s impossible to think of anything else except for what is happening in that very moment. It’s pure and utter presence and joy. Sometimes it can also be scary, but overcoming those fears can be the biggest rush. It makes you realise you can do hard things and that you’re stronger and braver than you think.

What would you say to anyone considering trying boardsports?

Just do it! Do it for yourself and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks or what you’re gonna look like. Get your pads and protection on if you need to feel safe, and get used to the idea that you will fall, it happens to all of us. Seek out a group or tutor or someone to help you get started. Getting started is the hardest part but it’s definitely easier and more fun with supportive people around you. And just have fun! You don’t have to be the best or compete with anyone else, let it just be about finding joy.

Thanks again for reading! See you next week

Caroline x

Firstly, I was too busy enjoying Go Skate Day at a skate park, that I totally forgot to get any footage, and to be honest I was ok with that, I know I’ve had a good skate when there’s no footage to mark it! Secondly, for so many people it wasn’t just the sport itself that has meaning for them. It’s the people that surround it.

Friendships that you make later in life around new found passions hit differently somehow. They cut across age, background, work and education - all of the normal factors that somehow thrust you into friendships don’t apply here. You bond around a simple love of how something makes you feel, and potentially a stage of life where you really just need that feeling. That freedom and sense of being yourself.

I’ve made friends through being a beginner skater at my local park and beginner sessions. I keep in touch with several people who have come to our events and I just hit it off with. I’ve met others at retreats, women who are going through periods of transition in life and just get it. I’ve met fantastic women through my surf fit group, joyful women who are grabbing life with both hands and who I feel very thankful to have in my life. I feel super lucky for all of it.

This post really struck me this week.

I have lots of friends who also have kids, who are juggling work / running their own business, and they often question how I find the time to engage in the sports that I do. This post above pretty much sums up my response, feel free to use it as yours!

Have a good week, enjoy the list x

Don’t Be Board

Free Surfer Assault x Wave Length Surf Magazine

This post made me genuinely sad when I saw it. What makes it worse is so many people in the comments downplaying pretty abhorrent behaviour. Sigh.

Jameela Jamil: I’m giving up being interviewed by women

I’ve always been a fan of Jameela for telling it how it is. And the reality is that sometimes the worst enemy of women are simply, other women. This is a pretty shocking account of that in reality in the world of journalism, well worth a read.

New York Times x 80 year old clubbers

Love this account of Papy Boom, a Belgian non profit that seeks to address loneliness for older people and create opportunities for fun.

Why I wish I was 5 again: Check out this drop in

It makes me so happy that there is a younger generation who believe that anything is possible in skateboarding. Check out this drop in, unbelievable.

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Get on Board

UK Summer Surf Event Guide

This is a great guide of upcoming events on the South Coast.

Chloe Covell: Always Inspiring!

If you’ve missed the footage from the recent x games, this run is well worth a watch, and is good incentive to get down the skatepark and practice, practice, practice (in my case with an acceptance I will never be this, but still).

Learn to Rock Fakie in Your 40’s: Aunty Skates

The Aunty Skates guides are always worth a look, she breaks them down into super easy to understand steps.

Queer Skate Forum: 28th June

Another event, another brilliant collaboration between @respectisrad and:

@bd1.skate.volunteers @newwaveskate_uk @transkaters @melaningalsnpals
@respectisrad @goodpush @citymillskate

The Board Women Crew

Meet this week’s board crew member: Ella Turner

Ella is one of the aforementioned brilliant crew that I met at Surf Fit classes in Brighton, run by OceanSet, and led by the wonderful Marianne. Ella is a late convert to surfing, and she’s a brilliant ray of sea sprayed sunshine whenever we meet. Over to Ella for her answers to this week’s questions.

When and how did you get into board sports?

I was in my early 40s and so often saw mums sitting on the beach while their kid - and usually the dad - did active stuff in the water. I didn't want that so I booked some surf lessons with my daughter in Cornwall. She didn’t end up getting into it but I loved it.

For a few years I would have some lessons on holiday once or twice a year and thoroughly enjoy myself. But you don't make any progress what way and I'd be back to square one every time. In the last couple of years I've started to want to make more progress so I've put in more time (not enough to make fast progress, but as much as I can) and found a brilliant group of surf buddies in Brighton through Ocean Set Surf Fit classes. Trying to improve brings its own challenges because there's more potential for frustration and disappointment, but I love it and I'm sticking at it!

What do you love about them?

For me, being in the water is a big part of it. Time in the sea is a magical thing. It’s ever changing: sometimes it’s exciting, sometimes it’s peaceful. My favourite memories are being out in the early mornings as the sun is coming up. I've loved getting stronger through something so fun and that gets you outside in the elements.

Describe how it feels when you’re on a board

So many things. There's a sense of freedom and satisfaction in getting better at the physical skills. Confidence to be able to navigate the water. Absolute joy in moments when it comes together on a wave or when you're out back chilling and the light is hitting just right.

What would you say to anyone considering trying surfing?

I'm inspired by old lady surf accounts. Especially the ones who started in later life. It's never too late!

That’s it for this week! Thanks for reading x If you’re enjoying the substack, please do give us a cheeky share and if you’re not paid up yet, get on it! You get a free monthly online event, and 10% off IRL events and our soon to launch merch. And you get to support the podcast and see this community grow x

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This may seem like too heavy content for a newsletter from an organisation focused on midlife women & board sports, but it’s all relevant. Because it’s easy in the face of this barrage of content telling us the world is going to shit to feel like we simply don’t have the right to joy. And I believe the very opposite is true.

I’m not saying to ignore the realities that surround us. On the contrary, I think we need to dig in to our role in them. Scrolling between what’s happening in Gaza and what’s happening in your local skate park feels like an incredibly uncomfortable dichotomy. These thing have become unsightly bedfellows, the algorithm somehow mixing the stuff of nightmares with the scroll hole content we like to browse in our downtime.

What does digging in actually mean? Well, it’s different for us all, and I’m not one to preach. For me it’s being aware of what’s going on. Donating to the right organisations to help where I can. Attending demonstrations, or at least writing to your MP, filling out the questionnaires. If we have time to scroll, we have the time and energy to do these things. It means using whatever influence or powers we have to support good in the world, and surface the increasingly hidden content of atrocities, so that no-one can simply say, ‘I wasn’t aware’.

Our platforms matter. Our influence matters. We can always do more.

But does that mean because others are suffering, and because these things make us angry, sad, and feel helpless that we can’t experience joy ourselves? I don’t think so. There’s a significant opportunity for us all to come together to cumulatively create action (see the inspiration ‘No Kings’ demonstrations of this past weekend). But it’s not a one hit wonder. It takes focus, and energy, and determination. And to keep that up demands balance. It demands the light and shade to keep us sane.

For me, board sports play such an important role. They are the opportunity to switch our brains off. To have a short moment of clarity in an otherwise confusing world. To come together with community who may all be feeling the same way. We need them. They aren’t frivolous, and if anything accounts like @gaza_skate_team demonstrate the essential nature of the role they play.

So, if the world feels heavy to you too, whilst it won’t solve the world’s problems, grabbing your board may energise you enough to enable you to have a role in helping at least x

Don’t Be Board:

ADHD in Sport: The ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Podcast

I met the founder of this brilliant podcast a couple of years ago, and I’ve been fascinated by the links between board sports and neurodiversity since I realised there was such a large overlap in attendees of the Board Women events we run. We have a panel coming up on this topic shortly, but in the meantime this episode is worth a listen.

@The.Travel.Project New Digital Map of England

I bought the book that these guys released last year, ‘Achievable Adventures’, giving you the skinny on hidden places in the UK, and it’s beautiful. The team have now released a digital guide to the UK helping you to find the most stunning spots and unusual experiences.

Stab Premium x Coco Ho

This short film drops on Stab on Monday - she’s the face of Volcom and founder of @xococosurf and few match her style on the waves.

Get on Board:

Last few tickets for our next event! Wednesday 18th 8.30pm

We’re bringing together the mobility and fitness knowledge of @moceanfit and the osteopathic knowledge of @lizziebirdmoves and the yoga expertise of @louise_beyondthemat to help you prep your body more effectively for the impact of board sports, optimise it for success, and recover well, helping to prevent injury. It’s an interactive session, so bring your yoga mat! Tickets are here

Go Skate Day - Concrete Waves London

Hopefully you’ve got a skate plan for this Saturday’s inaugural International Go Skate Day - but this one by Concrete Waves and the London Longboard Girls sounds pretty great with yoga, a free skate, a freestyle and dance competition, skate games and free games.

Surf with Amigas x ‘Push the Bush’:

Have you heard of the term ‘push the bush’? This clip shows why it’s so crucial before you start cross stepping and moving up and down the surf board more generally.

The Board Mums 1st Birthday Bash - Sunday 29th June

Wish I could make it to the south-west for this one, make sure you get down and celebrate the Board Mums crew for their first birthday.

London Surf Girl Community Picnic - Sat 19th July

The London Surf girl community have got their summer meet up. This is a lovely crew and their meet ups come highly recommended.

Bristol Girls Surf Club x their guide to The Wave

If you haven’t surfed The Wave (Bristol, UK) before, it’s unbelievably fun, but also takes a tiny bit of getting used to in terms of the set up (and for some is therefore daunting when they first go). This is a great guide of what to expect.

Diverse Bodies Rolling Together - Indigo Willing x Esther Sayers - June 17th

We’ve had both Indigo and Esther on the podcast, and they are so articulate about talking about the benefits of skateboarding in the community, and bring a unique POV to the debate. This seminar in conjunction with Durham University will be well worth a watch / listen.

Women of the wave - @Cranesurfco UK retreat at The Wave 28th & 29th

Not sure I need to sell this one - who wouldn’t want in on this?

The Board Crew:

If you follow inspirational women online who skate, I’m pretty sure you’ll have come across @queenlaturkaskates - little did I know she had signed up for one of our online events the other week, so we got to chat for the first time, after having exchanged a few messages online previously. She’s fab, read on to find out a little more about her.

When and how did you get into board sports?

Skateboarding found me in the winter of 2020. I was originally a quad roller skater and a regular at my local skatepark. In what felt like divine timing, a local skateboarder gave me his old board to learn on. I never thought I’d stick with it as the progress is so slow, five years and 6 skateboards later, I’m still skating, still learning and still obsessed.

What do you love most about skateboarding?

I love how I can be my authentic self, especially as a midlife skater. It’s expressive, therapeutic, and the community is like no other. I have made great friends through the skateboarding community.

Describe how it feels when you’re on a board

When I’m skateboarding, the feeling for me is very zen, it’s a moving meditation. My busy mind is quiet, and I’m fully present in the moment. At times it’s pretty magical.

Any advice for someone thinking of trying skateboarding?

Just start. Go to your local skatepark with a friend, join a skate community, roll around, book a few lessons. You’ll be hooked before you know it!

That’s it for this week! Hopefully see some of you at this week’s online event. If you sign up for paid subscription you’ll get this event for free (£7 subscription vs. £10 event ticket), and every month’s event free from then on, as well as a discount on our IRL events, and unique content for paid subscribers.

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See you next week!

Caroline x

Board Women Founder

I’m increasingly thinking the answer is YES. And maybe it’s only when these very things are taken away from you that you realise how much.

I took myself off to the skatepark for a lesson this week, the first one I’d had since breaking my wrist in February. Yes, I wanted to get over my fears. Yes, I wanted to get back to doing something fun. But more than that, I wanted to get back to feeling like myself.

Maybe it’s when you pick up these sports later in life that they really hit hard. I hear so many stories of women who have felt lost and then embraced these sports. Lonely amongst busy lives filled with work, ‘co-parenting’ marriages where you blur past each other in a fog of admin, and school whatsapp groups that explode the sanity of even the most capable human being. And then these sports arrive in their life. An electric jolt of joy and a release from the mental load.

Coming back to skateboarding was bloody lovely. I was terrified, but my instructor held my hands, I built my confidence, and it was amazing how much I’d remembered. What I want out of skating is changing as a result. I’m just happy to be doing it, my achievements, my rate of progression is no longer the key thing, I just feel lucky to be doing it at all.

So here’s to feeling like yourself, in whatever way works for you. Find it, get out there as much as you can and do it, and keep it close x

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Don’t be Board:

Listen to this: The latest Finisterre Podcast Episode with Colin Butfield

Colin is co-director of Ocean with David Attenborough, one of my favourite films this year. Colin has a 20 year career of shedding light on the climate crisis and inspiring action globally.

Read this: Women Travel Solo - featuring Sam Haddad

A collection of 30 personal essays from women who have travelled the globe on their own terms. Features the excellent Sam Haddad, who we have previously interviewed for the podcast (and surfs my local breaks). Check out Sams Substack too, well worth a read.

Discover this: 30 things women over 40 want you to know @theothersambaker

Sam is the creator of The Shift podcast, one of the few podcasts addressing midlife that doesn’t make me want to scream. I liked this post full of advice.

Check Out this: Jacinda Ardern - A Different Kind of Power

In a week of disturbing but humorous coverage of the fall out between Trump and Musk, it feels fitting that the coverage of a more measured approach to leadership is now getting coverage. Looking forward to reading this book, and checking out the documentary released on 13th June.

Support this: Good Shout for girls, a new charity by Amy Kean

Amy’s organisation Good Shout helps women find their voice. She’s recognised that the feeling that we don’t have anything to add can start incredibly early, and has launched this brilliant charity to help girls from a young age. She’s crowdfunding now, so do get behind this brilliant charity.

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Get on Board:

The Confidence Sessions: Just Move It

We’ve got our next online workshop coming up, and this one is an interactive one! Every wondered how best to move your body to support your board sports journey? This session features three experts in board sports and movement, from fitness and movement and how to set your body up to be ready for board sports (Emily from @moceanfit); to a specialist session on legs from an osteopath and movement specialist (Lizzie from @lizziebirdmoves) to specialist yoga moves for recovery (Louise from @louise_beyondthemat).

The workshop features 3 interactive mini sessions, Q&A with each of our experts, and then a panel at the end. What better way to spend an evening? Sign up now. If you sign up as a Board Women paid member, you get one of these free every month x

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How do I enter the line up - by @aweekawake

A great guide to being at the beginning of your surf journey, and how you infiltrate the heady world of ‘out back’. Brilliant practical tips from @aweekawake

Off grid skater (blows my mind)

As someone who still looks at my feet and checks they are lined up before rolling off (a habit I need to drop) @offgridskater literally blows my mind. Get ready to get lost in this instagram account.

The Aunty Skates guide to coming off curbs

Simple, practical advice to finally cracking those little leaps off edges.

The Pro Slab Skateclub: first meet up 14th June

Love skating and climbing? The brilliant Sarah from Yellowhat Skate School (and coach on many of our events) has launched The Pro Slab Skate Club to bring together two of her passions, and this is her first event. Go support!

Wild Women Skate - Learn to Pump Wednesday 11th June Falmouth

Always wanted to try a pump track, or need to improve your technique? This is the session for you from the lovely @wildwomenskate crew.

Transkaters retreat at Camp Corve / Canopy Skate Park: August 29th

I heard such good things about this retreat from the @transkaters crew last year. I can’t make this date, but I highly recommend the crew at Camp Corve and Canopy Skate park, my family and I stayed in their cabin last year and had a skate lesson everyday with Hamish, and it was fab. Beautiful skate park too. They are also running a women’s retreat 15th-17th August.

The Board Crew:

This weeks Board Women crew members is Claudine, part of the The Board Mums Club and regular skater in the South-West of England.

When and how did you get into board sports?

I didn’t do any board sports as a child; I grew up in the countryside with only rolling hills and cows in sight. My first experience was a snowboarding holiday with friends in my early 20’s - I was instantly hooked. I did ski seasons after Uni, and nearly moved to the Alps, but ended up moving to Cornwall and learning to surf in my late 20’s. I didn’t quite get the bug for surfing - turns out I’m not a fan of being cold and wet. I surfed now and again in the summers, and got into Roller Derby for a bit, but it all came to an end once I fell pregnant with my first child.

When I was 35, we were on holiday in France with our toddler. The surf was flat so we ended up at a skatepark, and my husband got me on his skateboard. I learnt to pump on a half pipe that day, and I loved it! Back home he bought me a board, but with a toddler and a full time job, it was hard to find the time - and then I fell pregnant again.

When our baby was 5 months old we moved to a new village and found a little skatepark. In the mornings I used to go up there with the pram and my toddler while I was on maternity leave and pump on the mini ramp, and I gradually learnt to kick turn. I wanted to drop in, but I was far too terrified to try. I didn’t have Instagram back then; I wasn’t aware of other tricks I could be working on.

As the kids got older, I would be entertaining or helping them at the skatepark, and occasionally I would have a very self-conscious roll around if it was quiet. I never saw any women skating. My husband encouraged me to try dropping in, but I felt foolish and fearful holding his hand, trying to learn at 40 years old. Eventually I got bored of my slow little lines and lack of progress and stopped skating altogether. I figured I’d missed the boat.

Then last May I saw a viral reel of @auntyskates dropping into a bowl at 46 – the same age as I was. I was stunned, and it gave me hope. My algorithm started showing me other women learning to skate. My husband said he’d seen some women at the skatepark recently. I knew that it was now or never. My kids no longer needed me at the skatepark and I was up for a challenge. I immediately called my local skatepark and booked a lesson. By the end of that lesson I was dropping in on my own, and the next month they started @theboardmumsclub. It was perfect timing. I now have an awesome group of women who I skate with regularly. I go to the skatepark every Thursday night with my husband and kids. I go to skateparks on my own. We’ve just built a mini ramp in our driveway. I can’t believe it took me this long to learn to skate, but I will always be thankful that I booked that lesson and gave myself another chance.

What do you love about them?

I just love that feeling of freedom, of speed, of flow, of adrenaline, of mindfulness. You can’t think about anything else while you are doing it. You can’t beat it. If I’ve had a crappy workday, then 20 minutes on my skateboard will totally reset my mood.

Describe how it feels when you’re on a board

It feels like being a kid again. That sense of play, of silliness, of fun. It’s not about a score, or a result, its about how it makes you feel. You’ve moved your body in a new and exciting way, that you didn’t know you were capable of. And sometimes, you unlock a new skill and it’s such a euphoric feeling!

What would you say to anyone considering trying?

Just step on a board. It doesn’t matter how far you get or how wobbly you are. It will be a thrill like no other and you will feel so proud of yourself. Everyone deserves this kind of fun and you might even surprise yourself!

Thanks for reading! We’re building this community bit by bit, and the future holds so much more: we are looking at a board sports based fitness app for 30+ riders, we’re going to be expanding our online events and support groups, merch and products are launching imminently. Signing up for paid membership will get you discounts on all of the above, and you get the online events for free as part of your membership. Please do share & join! Have a fab week,

Caroline x

Board Women Founder

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I wrote about this a couple of months ago, and there was a vehement YES in response to the concept of blowing up your life in the name of seeking freedom and happiness.

But in the past week, this post by (author of ‘Women who Work too Much: break free from toxic productivity and find your joy) went viral:

She talks about the concept that whilst women were so often raised to be independent, planning ahead, growing in many ways; the same men were being raised to expect someone else would help propel them forward, clear up their messes. And when women said they were done with not having equal support, not having someone to truly share the load with, they were seen as nagging. As Tamu says:

“We want to share the weight. Share the care. Share the growth. Share the joy. Because love shouldn’t feel like a job. And emotional intimacy shouldn’t feel like an obligation. We don’t want to be your mothers. We want to be met in the middle”

She makes it super clear that she’s not blaming men. She’s blaming a system that developed a structure where so much of women’s labour is ‘invisble and expected’.

BLOODY HELL.

It’s like Tamu was sitting on the shoulders of myself and friends in so many conversations over the past months. I have endless friends leaving their partners, questioning what their partners add, questioning the relevance of staying in any relationship, let alone the one they find themselves in.

And what are they seeking instead? FREEDOM. Freedom to plot their path. To parent how they want. To live life how they want.

And so many of these women are finding a new passion that aligns with this new found phase of freedom. Skating. Surfing. Snowboarding. These sports align with freedom seekers like no other. They have built in communities. They welcome people in. They get you out of your head.

If you’re a freedom seeker, we are here for you! This community is full of them, let’s celebrate the ones finding their path, whatever way they get there.

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Don’t Be Board:

Watch This: @facingblankpages film on @surfgirlmag

I loved this film by Anas Pierquet, aka @facingblankpages on using surfing to over come PTSD from a tragedy earlier in her life.

Relate to this: The Four Seasons (Tina Fey, Steve Carrell)

I’ve been enjoying getting into this new series with Tina Fey, Steve Carrell, and Colman Domingo. The premise is a group of friends who have holidayed together for years, but one of them blows up his marriage and gets together with someone much younger, leaving the others to question the merit of their own relationships. It’s brilliantly written, acted, and if the post at the start of these piece struck a chord, many of the themes of this mini series will too.

Listen to This: The Slowdown with Sharmadean Reid

If, as women, we are programmed to take on too much, to own all of the invisible labour, this episode is the antidote to that programming. As founder of Wah Nails, and Stackworld amongst other entrepreneurial successes, you’d be forgiven for assuming that Sharmadean is incapable of slowing down, or embracing doing less. The opposite is infact true, and this one is worth a listen for any of you that feel like you’re incapable of saying no.

Find a friend to try this: The ultimate duo skate from @skatejuice

Loved this clip featuring @_skatewizard and @jenna_slams - oh to be twenty and fearless and try stuff like this with mates.

Read this: Big Success for The Big Sea with Denka Factory Shutdown

Hopefully you’ve watched the excellent ‘The Big Sea’ film, the expose of the neoprene industry and its connection with Cancer Alley in the US. Due to massive losses, the factory has halted production. A phenomenal success for the film, but make sure you keep the pressure up, as there’s much still to do to convince the big wetsuit companies to change their core material. Well done again to @imaybesurfing and team behind the film. Check out the interview here if you haven’t listened yet.

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Get on Board:

The Surfers Against Sewage Paddle Out

There was a strong turnout in Brighton this weekend (although it could always be more, I know more people than this in Brighton who are sea obsessives on my own whatsapp groups) for the Surfers Against Sewage paddle out. I bring my kids to this each year, as I think it’s really important for them to see that people should stand up for change and what they believe in. If you couldn’t make it to a protest, but still want to support them, you can still send an email to your elected representative locally, there’s a link in the SAS bio here.

Skatepark Museum Plein in Amsterdam opening May 24th

Two of my favourite things are colliding next weekend: the city of Amsterdam and a new skatepark. Not one to need a reason to visit this beautiful city, now I have two.

Sunday 25th May Transkaters Picnic: Folkestone Fardens

Open to all kinds of wheels, the Trans Skaters crew are known for having brilliantly friendly events, so get yourself along to their next picnic next Sunday.

Feralux Wild Garden Retreat 25-28 July

I’ve heard such good things about staying on the Feralux Farm, with its beautiful bowl in the middle of the wilderness. There’s also surfing nearby, check it out.

Diverse Rolling Bodies Together - Dr Indigo Willing & Dr Esther Sayers June 17th

As part of the Moving Bodies Lab seminar series academics and skateboarders Dr Indigo Willing and Esther Sayers discuss their ongoing research that combines approaches from education, sociology, co-design and gender studies to highlight community change in the traditionally male world of skateboarding. It’s an in person and online event, so no excuses for missing this one!

Check out our latest Board Women episode: @Surfin.Sam

Released on Wednesday this week, we couldn’t be more excited for the latest episode with none other than @surfin.sam or you might know her as @justolderskate.sam . Sam talks about what brought her to board sports (including a somewhat unknown stint as the UK’s champion wind surfer for 8 years!) and why she fell in love with skateboarding in her 60’s. Make sure you subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss it.

The Board Crew: Lisa Baxter

Lisa was a guest on last weeks online panel, The Confidence Sessions: Finding Your Joy. She works day to day in trauma helping young people, and skateboarding has become her release and her passion, as one of the directors of the epic Board Mums Club.

When and how did you get into board sports?

I snowboarded in my twenties and thirties, although I only visited the mountains annually. I have skated since last year, however I started off rather sporadically. In the last couple of months I have upped the ante and am skating daily. I’m in love!

What do you love about them?

The freedom I feel when I skate. The connection to myself. Skating is a doorway back into life. It allows me to switch off and go inward, creating space, which enables me to re-engage with daily life / stressors more ably.

Describe how it feels when you’re on a board

It feels like I’m alive! I’m in my flow and I feel at peace. It’s like mindfulness in motion.

What would you say to anyone considering trying?

You’re only here once! Be brave, give it a go!

Thanks again for reading! We’re really trying to build the community on here so more of you can meet like minded people, both online and IRL, so make sure you subscribe to hear about upcoming events and content, and please do share! Our paid membership on here will be keeping the podcast ad free, so it really makes a difference when you subscribe, share or recommend to others.

Have a fab week all!

Caroline xxx

Board Women Founder

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It’s becoming aspirational to lift heavy. To understand how our muscle supports everything our bodies need to do. And these messages are particularly hitting women in midlife, as we are told that lifting is the saviour to all of our problems: meno-belly, too much cortisol, the horrendous side effects of peri-menopause and beyond. And if you’re into board sports, this stuff feels super relevant. We may feel as fit and lively as we did in our 20’s, but it’s the recovery (and the falls) that hit hard. We need our muscles to protect us, but that aspect is still not focused on in many of the accounts that I follow around these sports (because they’re still targeted to guys in their 20’s who seem to be invincible when it comes to breaks).

I’ve been reading the brilliant ‘On Muscle’ by Bonnie Tsui on these very topics. The context and messages that we have received about building muscle as women, about endurance and flexibility, and longevity.

If you’re into your wild swimming, you’ll no doubt have read the brilliant ‘Why we Swim’ by Bonnie Tsui, which is what led me to her most recent book. It’s a stunning account of our relationship with water and swimming, and it’s one I recommend time and time again.

This idea that we should just be comfortable in our bodies and get out and use them is something that the ‘This Girl Can’ campaigns; and Lulu Lemon with ‘wear the damn shorts’ have used for a while now, but this year they seem to be getting traction in a new way.

In an excellent Elle article (also authored by Bonnie Tsui) the announcement ‘Big Shoulders are In’ gives a myriad of examples of women who are at the forefront of this new movement, and what’s driven it (think Sydney Sweeney, Taylor Swift, ‘muscle mommies’ on TikTok and more).

Muscles are about potential, and strength, and owning your own strength. For women, the work of building our own muscles teaches us not to let others take away that hard-won power without a fight

Bonnie Tsui, Elle

What I love about all of this is the idea that we stop worrying about what we look like, and start embracing what we can do. Gearing up our bodies to keep having brilliant experiences as we age, rather than worrying about ageing. L

Let’s go.

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Don’t be Board:

Check out these: a wealth of older female surfers showing how it’s done

I feel like my feed is suddenly groaning with female surfers in the 70’s and their 80’s and it’s just brilliant!

From 92 year old Nancy featured on the @surfing_with_grant account (I think they’re still trying to track Nancy down).

To Sherry who was featured on @sassysilversurfers ripping it (and importantly she only started surfing at 68)

And finally Jo Pickett featured on @theseea who has been surfing for 53 years.

If these aren’t all enough to tell you it’s not too late to try something new then finally, check out the @sandiegomag article on the 50+ female surfers club @wahinekai_surfclub) in San Diego.

Listen to this: Naga Munchetty x The Shift Podcast

Naga Munchetty is doing the rounds at the moment, because she’s just released a book ‘It’s probably nothing’. In her case, it’s because she was diagnosed with a gynaecological condition called adenomyosis, but it took years of her pushing doctors to listen to and believe that something was wrong. Her research unearths how frequently women are told ‘it’s normal’ on conditions that are anything but, particularly when related to our periods.

The book is at the top of my reading list, having gone through this for years in my 20’s, in my case related to polycystic ovary syndrome. The podcast is well worth a listen, not least because Sam, who interviews Naga, has had the same condition for 20+ years and so it’s a raw and honest conversation.

Explore this: Everest to no longer be anyone’s to climb

Restrictions have finally been launched to make Everest safer (and less crowded). Including requiring climbers to have first summited a mountain over 7,000m, stricter regulations on permits and climbing routes, new insurance rules, rubbish clear up fees, increased permit fees and guide requirements and more. It’s about time - there’s a brilliant account of how crazy the world around summiting the mountain had become in Everest Inc (thankyou Matt Barr of Looking Sideways for this particular book recommendation).

Visit this: Design museum x Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style

I can’t wait to visit this (my obsession with water runs deep, not to pun). The exhibition celebrates our enduring love of the water over the last 100 years. Explore the full spectrum of the design of swimming — from sports performance and fashion, to architecture.

And on the note of swimming, Open water swimming has returned to Canary Wharf in London, a pretty iconic to get some dipping in.

Party at this: MSGP zine launch - Tales of the underdogs

The brilliant @melaningalsnpals are launching inaugural zine, Tales of the Underdogs: Archiving Underground Skate Communities @theafricacentre in London!

The zine explores the intersection of skate culture, social advocacy, and the powerful contributions of Black and Brown communities to the evolution of skateboarding. They will spotlight the often-overlooked contributions of BPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities within skate culture. Check them out!

Get on Board:

Surfers Against Sewage Paddle Out: May 17th

Make sure the date is in your diary to end sewage by getting to a paddle out near you for Surfers Against Sewage. I’ll be there at the Brighton one, no doubt with my brilliant friend Ella in tow who regularly wears a Poo Emoji for the proceedings.

And if you’re not near the sea, there are definitely opportunities to still get involved, such as Concrete Waves x their London based SurfSkate ‘paddle out’.

Find your Joy: sign up for this week’s virtual event

We’ve got a fantastic group of women coming together for this month’s online event, all talking about the joy that board sports have brought to them, particularly around more challenging times in their lives. It’s mental health awareness week, and for many of us, board sports are the thing that gets us through. Sign up now for the event, or if you sign up to our paid subscription, you get this and every online event for free, as well as a discount off merch, real life events and more.

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Let’s Throw Down

I’ve always enviously watched my son and other skaters as they throw down their board & leap onto it, while I’m nervously setting up by feet against the bolts. This is my new goal this year, and thanks to @ryg.wav on instagram for this break down.

Surf report cheat sheet

Not knowing how to read the surf reports is so daunting for your general confidence to just heading out for a surf, but I’ll admit to still not being 100% sure on all elements of it (and so many people I know are in this position). So here’s a brilliant guide I found from @marthas_surf_coaching

Paddle Strong with a brilliant set of coaches

Join the excellent @moceanfit @surfconfidencecoach and @marthas_surf_coaching for a free 5 day programme to get you fit for your surfing this summer. These ladies are excellent and the programme starts today, so get involved!

The Board Crew:

This week we welcome the amazing @skatelikeamum - or Ali - who started skateboarding September 2022 at 42. I first met Ali on one of our Board Women Culture Skate events in London (in fact I think it was our first one), and loved her straight away. Super down to earth, self deprecating, fun and great to skate with, we are still in touch and she’s a fantastic role model for anyone thinking of starting later in life.

When and how did you get into board sports?

I started skating in 2021 after watching my daughter take part in a skateboard holiday club. It looked so much fun and I thought “I want to do that!”. I went to a skate lesson the next evening and have loved it since then. The truth is that I asked for a set of skateboard lessons the year before that ,but always felt too nervous to try it. All my nerves were unfounded and I have found the skate community to be so welcoming.

What do you love about them?

I love that when I’m on the board that’s all I’m thinking about. It can be pretty busy inside my head with work, kids and life in general, but when I’m skating, it’s such a good feeling to be able to focus on one thing rather than the constant juggle.

Describe how it feels when you’re on a board

Sometimes I’m really nervous and I have to tell myself over and over that I can do it. Sometimes I feel really confident and proud. Most of the time I just feel happy and lucky to have time to do something I enjoy!

What would you say to anyone considering trying?

I mean, obviously I’m going to say “go for it”, but I know it’s easy to say and can be hard to do. I’ve found a good way to start is to join a group session. The skate community is so welcoming of beginners and it takes the stress out of the beginning stages when everything feels hard, even standing on a stationery board. I love to skate with others as it’s become just as much an activity as a social thing for me. Try different groups, coaches and skate parks until to find a place you feel comfortable and you’ll never look back!

Thanks so much for reading! Don’t forget to get your ticket for our next event, or sign up as a member to get:

• Our fortnightly podcast + extra content

• Weekly board list

• Free access to monthly virtual events & workshops

• 10% off IRL events and retreats

• + much more to come!

Why does everything just feel that bit better when the sun comes out? Life feels full of possibility. We see more, do more, meet up with friends more, get outside more. And for those of us who love our board sports, the weather unlocks hours of endless fun.

Although board sports are still not on the agenda for me as yet, this was the first time I had managed to get in the sea since I broke my wrist in February, and it was BLOODY LOVELY. I’ve dipped many times since, experimented with a bit of front crawl, and booked lots of beach saunas and it’s been fab.

Anyway, sunshine inevitably means more events and meet ups, so there’s lots in this weeks list. Fingers crossed this coming week of cool weather is just a blip before the sun reappears. Enjoy the bank holiday everyone (if you’re in the UK) x

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Don’t Be Board:

Seek out this: The Cigarette Surfboard film tour 6th - 10th May

A feature documentary using ciggy butts and surfing to build ocean mindfulness and stewardship, the team are screening the film in Newquay, Falmouth and North Devon later this week. They’re also touring in Australia and Ecuador. The film features ocean activists such as Mikey February and Easkey Britton, I’m looking forward to it touring near me!

Dive into this: David Attenborough x Ocean - in cinemas from 8th May

I was asked the other day for the 3 people that have influenced me most in life, and David Attenborough was right up there. I grew up in a family that holidayed every year in Devon and Cornwall, but it was David Attenborough’s nature programmes that initiated my fascination with the natural world and travelling to see more of it.

Coverage of this latest release indicates that Sir Attenborough sees this as his last chance to really change people’s opinion when it comes to the urgency of the problem we face when it comes to the climate and our seas (arguably some prior releases have pulled their punches)

Read more about it here.

Listen to this: Importance of Play Podcast x Eugene Minogue

Fascinating podcast by the WildStrong team with Eugene Minogue, Executive Director of Play England, about why kids no longer get the freedom to play. The episode charts the key decisions that made kids having freedom to play outside an impossibility. We’ve gone from young kids having a six mile radius from their home when away from their parents, to being only line of sight. It also looks at the importance of play in adults (enter, board sports!). Well worth a listen.

Catch up on this: Mountain Queen

I feel like I’m late to the party on the films of Lucy Walker, so a big thankyou to the latest Looking Sideways episode and Matt Barr’s interview with her for reminding me to give this one a watch. Lhakpa Sherpa has a fascinating story (including pretending to be a boy in her younger years to work as a sherpa on the mountain) and her feat of climbing Everest ten times is seriously impressive.

Get your head around this: Chris Packham x the worst records

Chris Packham is trying to rally people to sign his petition to ban fossil fuel ads - there are 7 days left to reach 100k on his petition and force a parliamentary debate. Some of the stats he unleashes in this film make for pretty stark reading.

Share this: 48 things women hear in a lifetime

As described, this is a pretty confronting film of the things that we get used to hearing as women growing up, things that men simply don’t have to comprehend or deal with. It’s particularly hard hitting because it includes all ages of women. Worth a watch, and most definitely a share.

Use this: New London map which shows which pubs are currently in the sunshine

London is one of my favourite places when the sun is shining. Our weather is so terrible normally that we are just incredibly grateful. There’s a vibe that is infectious as people spill out onto the streets and make any excuse to have some time outside. The pubs however are packed, especially the ones with good outside areas, so this cheeky app Sunseekr is a brilliant way to find some hidden gems that are basked in sunlight. I actually tested it for where I live on the south coast, and it worked, so maybe give it a go!

Get on Board:

Our next Board Women online event! Finding your Joy

In aid of mental health awareness week we are hosting our next online event, bringing together a panel of brilliant women to discuss how board sports are the new route to mental maintenance, and the source for our joy. Get your ticket now as they are going fast.

We’ll welcome:

• @ram_scorchaskateschool skate coach and overall hype woman who credits skateboarding for having navigated her through numerous stages in life

• @fortyandpushing - Jacquie is a solo-mum skater who passionately believes skating is central to supporting mental health and addressing trauma, also a volunteer with Skate Haven CIC

• @lisabaxter_ part of the leadership of CIC @theboardmumsclub and breath coach

• India - from @resurfaceuk which runs transformational surf retreats and 1:1 therapy positioning surfing as the new 'therapy chair'

• Danni aka @surfconfidencecoach who helps surfers get joy out of their surfing

Tickets are £10 for non members, and for members free and you get access to these events & workshops every month (just DM me for the code)

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Queer & trans skaters night - Bay sixty6 Friday 9th May

A special edition of the monthly skate night — teaming up with @feeldco for a night of skating, connection, and community.

Levelling You Up in Surfing: The Wave

I’m loving this ten part series from The Wave, really good tips that both go back to basics, but also give you something to work towards.

Hove Park skate plaza - Sunday 18th May

I’m very lucky to have this beautiful skate park not far from me (and yet haven’t skated it yet because of my wrist), and their official opening jam is soon, check it out.

Camp Corve: The Skate Escape 2025

I spent a week at Camp Corve on the Isle of Wight in the autumn with my family. It’s genuinely awesome, a beautiful countryside spot with glamping and a cabin where you can spot red squirrels. But the highlight is the most stunning inside skate park that you can head to every day (with the helpful guidance of Hamish, the owner and coach). We literally had the place to ourselves.

This weekend is packed with fun: screen print your own t-shirt, enjoy an open air pizza night and catch a movie in the skatepark. Plus, boost your creative skills with a film and photography workshop, capturing the thrilling moments of your weekend.

The Board Crew:

This week we are welcoming Summer Webb.to our celebration of the Board Women community. I met Summer when I first started skating, and since then it’s become her whole life, working to support our local skate club South Coast Skate Club, and training to be a skate instructor.

When and how did you get into board sports?

If you mean for the very first time it was when I was a kid and found an old board in a bush near my house and I used to go down underpass hills on it. As an adult it was always something I wanted to do, but it wasn’t until I was 32 that I started learning to skate properly, so one day I decided if I didn’t do it soon, I probably wouldn’t, so I bought a couple of boards, got started and I’ve been addicted ever since!

What do you love about them?

I love the opportunity to always be learning new things; there are always fun, new tricks or skills to try, and when you’re surrounded by other skaters they are always so encouraging and helpful. Skateboarding has taught me patience and resilience; even when I’m frustrated or disheartened, I know I can come back another time and feel differently about whatever made me feel that way in the first place. I love the fact that skateboarding unifies people who may not have anything else in common and the community is so accepting.

Describe how it feels when you’re on a board

Being on a board feels like meditation in motion; I’m completely present in my body and even if I’m scared whilst trying something I’m not able to think about the everyday worries or stresses. Skateboarding allows me to switch off and focus only on what I’m doing physically, I find it easier to quiet my mind on a board than I do on a yoga mat.

What would you say to anyone considering trying?

To anyone considering trying I would say this: don’t let fear, embarrassment or another person’s opinion stop you - you might find one of the most joyful things in your entire life!

That’s it for this week! Don’t forget to get your ticket for our next event, or sign up as a member to get:

• Our fortnightly podcast + extra content

• Weekly board list

• Free access to monthly virtual events & workshops

• 10% off IRL events and retreats

• + much more to come!

Subscribe now

I’ve lost count of the number of people who have reached out in the past weeks asking if I’m back on a board yet. The answer is sadly, no, because my mobility is still so far removed from the norm, I can’t put pressure on my right hand, and if I fell on it (to be honest, if it’s jarred slightly even), it’s excruciating.

I’m an impatient person, and I think for the people who know me there was the expectation I’d be rushing back to everything as soon as humanly possible. The thing is, I’m in this for the long haul. I want to be doing these sports and the other things I love that depend on my mobility until I’m dead. Which means, much as I’d love to back at the skate park and back in the sea, I’m coming back when my body is good and ready. Strong.

I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of longevity. Of a life where you don’t let age determine what you are able to do, but you give your body the best chance of performing at it’s best, for as long as possible. So, I was intrigued to listen to the MenoPositive podcast this week, and an episode with Dr Tamsin Lewis. She talks about the concept of your ‘Joy Span’ - a point of view on not just how long you can live, but on living life with the fullest joy.

“lots of people struggle to experience joy, it’s unfamiliar. We are very much taught a lot of the time to work, to be productive, to do, to accumulate. But joy is when we relax, when we laugh, when we connect, when you have moments of awe where we experience our environment. But it’s harder to experience for people because of devices, our phones, these different digitally driven dopamine fuelled scenarios is taking us away from our ability to inherently create and experience Joy”

I like the idea that it’s not just focusing on health, on movement, but on the pure fuel that is joy to age well. So, here we go, this list is all about finding more joy.

Don’t Be Board:

Watch and listen to these: Love for women on boards

There has been lots of love for women on boards in the news lately, the BBC are speaking to so many of the brilliant communities in this space: The London Skate Mums; and The Board Mums in the South West

Explore this: Are surfboards made for women?

They’ve also written this really interesting piece on whether surfboards are designed for female bodies

Spend some time with this: Skate like a lass x nowness

I really enjoyed this short film on grassroots skateboarding communities in the North East England. Visual artist Juliet Klottrup is behind it - so the project comes to life as a zine, and exhibition, a short film - all exploring female and non-binary skaters who are carving out a community.

Reconnect with this: Skating for Mothers x Hot Moms x The Salty Club

I’ve been trying to find other podcasts that I really enjoy in the skate / surf / snowboarding space (not as simple as you’d think beyond the ones I talk about all the time on here). I liked the skating is for mothers mini series that the Salty Club did back in 2024 - also it included one of my former guests @hotmomsofskateboarding who is always worth a watch / listen. Here’s the Salty episode, and here’s mine incase you missed it.

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Get on Board:

Come to This: Our ‘Find your Joy’ event On May 15th

We have just confirmed our next virtual event, £10 for non members to attend, free to attend if you are a paid member (you get one of these monthly). We’ll be exploring why board sports are so essential to our mental maintenance and I couldn’t be more excited for our line up. We have Lisa baxter, a CIC director from the board mums club, and breathwork coach. We have India from resurface uk, who run transformational surf retreats to help you flourish and also addressing trauma directly; and Danni @surfconfidencecoach who often works with people to use surfing to find Joy and get past issues that are holding them back. Ram from @scorchaskateschool is coming to talk you through her history, and also Jackie aka @fortyandpushing on Instagram. Book now!

Meet Up at This: London Skate Mums x Bay Sixty Six

The London Skate mums crew are brilliant, including several members that have been interviewed on this podcast. Please do head along to their next meet up Saturday May 10th for skate pals old and new.

Surf confidence coach x joy coaching program

The lovely Danni aka @surfconfidencecoach has recently launched a Joy Programme - put yourself in her trusted hands to find the joy in your day to day existence.

The Board Crew: Louise Boussemart

Louise is our resident yoga coach when you come on any of our events or retreats, you can find her at @louise_beyondthemat . Alongside her brilliant yoga instruction that is tailored for board sports (and delivered in the best french accent), Lou is infectiously positive and energetic and always up for new things (including being pretty nomadic), which we love about her. Let’s find out a little more:

When and how did you get into board sports?

I really got into board sports in my late 20s, during a time in my life when I felt a strong urge to do anything I wanted without a single care in the world. I clearly remember that period — a time when I truly felt I could be anyone, do anything, and somehow, also started to really get to know myself. It all began with skateboarding, and not long after, I picked up surfing and became completely obsessed!

What do you love about them?

What first got me hooked in skateboarding was actually similar to what I loved about yoga: the strong sense of commitment, the focus on balance, mindfulness, the importance of repetition, letting go of the ego, consistency, trying, failing and starting again.

I think most board sports carry an element of fear you have to move through, and I'm really drawn to the idea of feeling the fear and doing it anyway, on a board or in life in general. With surfing, I particularly love the sense of perspective and calm it brings, and the practice of observing and reading the waves. That journey is endless and very humbling.

Describe how it feels when you’re on a board

Pure joy and an absolute focus on the present moment. I'm not gonna lie, sometimes I also feel frustration whilst having a bad surf but then I quickly remind myself to let go of expectations and remember why I am even on a board in the first place. It's only surfing afterall and I'm only here to have fun and enjoy!

What would you say to anyone considering trying?

Go for it! It's never too late to start something new. Surround yourself with people who will be your surfing or skateboarding buddies, and oh boy there will be so many of them along the way! Take lessons, always ask for advice on where to go and what gear to use.

Be excited aboit being a beginner, it means you have so much opportunity for growth and progress. Go out there and don't worry about what anyone else thinks because the truth is, nobody cares and no one is watching at the skatepark or in the sea. Lastly, when it comes to surfing, be humble, don't take yourself too seriously, never forget that the best surfer is the one having the most fun!

That’s it for this week! Don’t forget to share if you’ve enjoyed this, it makes a bit difference to us growing the podcast community & keeping it ad free. And do check out our paid subscription offer, it’s less than the cost of a lunch a month and you get our free monthly community virtual events and panels, as well as bespoke content and behind the scenes podcast content.

Caroline x

Board Women Founder

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It’s also been a week of shock reverberating amongst skate and surf communities in the UK, as the supreme court ruled that transgender women were no long recognised as female. The skate and surf communities in particular have rallied, but it’s a sobering judgement, so we also cover how you can support trans people in our communities.

So, let’s drop in:

Don’t Be Board:

Listen to this: Matt Barr interview on the Adventure Podcast

Bringing two of my favourite podcasters, Matt Pycroft of The Adventure Podcast, interviews Matt Barr of Looking Sideways about his latest series ‘The Announcement’. If you haven’t listened to it yet, get thee to your nearest podcast platform immediately, as it’s a brilliantly insightful investigation into Patagonia’s corporate restructure to Earth being it’s main shareholder. This interview with both Matt’s is fascinating, as it helps you to understand the full background to the series (2 years in the making) and the dedication it takes to deliver this kind of journalism.

Read this: The Good Push Theory of Change

This is a document that has been a collaborative effort, showing how social skateboarding initiatives are creating positive change in the world. It was created from the insights of 40+ social skateboarding projects worldwide. If you haven’t heard of The Good Push alliance, it is Skateistan’s knowledge sharing platform and incubator for social skateboarding projects worldwide, enabling the creation of more impact. The work has now identified a common framework for the impact these organisations create, and later this month will release data from the international surveys.

Visit this: The New Melancoose location in Newquay, UK

I’m lucky enough (when my wrist isn’t broken) to go to a weekly surf fit class in Brighton, run by OceanSet and originally founded by Andy White, an excellent surf coach now based in Cornwall; and one of the founders of SeaLanes in Brighton (one of my favourite places to be based from for the day).

I was introduced to Andy’s excellent wife JoJo, who coincidentally is Matt Barr’s partner in crime in running All Conditions Media, an agency specialising in marketing outdoors brands. JoJo has also been on the podcast, because she has a long illustrious career working in the surfing industry.

JoJo and Andy have now launched a new location, in woodland just two miles from Newquay, built around a Grade II listed wood mill. They’ve created a wellness space including a studio, snug, sauna, plunge pool and fire pit, and have started to host events, and it looks like a seriously indulgent spot.

They have an Ocean Fitness x Sauna session on the 24th, and a Brave Wave private workshop combining mental training and surfing coming up. Get yourself to the woods today.

Go to this - The Unlikeable Women Summit

Taking place in London on the 28th May, and founded by Amy Kean who is on a mission for everyone to find their voice. Amy is an absolute powerhouse, always willing to ruffle feathers, and this event will be no exception.

Billed as a ‘one day love letter to the women the world’s afraid of’ it features a banging line up of women such as Tamu Thomas, who wrote ‘Women who work too much: break free from toxic productivity and find your joy’. This one is for all the women who have been told they are ‘too much’ and made to feel small.

Go deep on this: The Surfers against Sewage Water Quality Report

If you surf or cold water dip you can’t be oblivious to the work that SAS do, but it’s also easy to think that by checking out the app for water conditions that we are doing enough. The latest water report makes for sombre reading, but if you love using the sea, we simply have to take more responsibility for looking after it.

This stat particularly stands out: 994,000 untreated sewage discharges across the UK in the last year, in the same year that £1.2 billion in dividends were paid out by the water companies that were culpable. There’s numerous ways you can get involved, the paddle out on the 17th May, becoming a member, and the current #dearJon campaign. Have a read.

Watch this: UK showings of The Big Sea are now live

The UK Showings of The Big Sea are now available to book. Get yourself to see this essential documentary that details the exploration of the toxic nature of neoprene wetsuits, and how the industry is linked clearly to ‘Cancer Alley’ in the US. The event details are here (hurry, they are selling fast) and the Board Women interview with the producer, Demi Taylor, on Board Women, is here.

Get absorbed in this: The hunt for the 100ft wave

I’m a fan of Tortoise Media’s approach to slow news. This is an exploration of the big wave industry’s hunt for the 100 foot wave - stated to have been surfed by Alo Slebir in December, although no-one can actually agree how big the wave actually was. It’s a fascinating account by reporter Claudia Williams, well worth a listen.

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Get on Board:

Try this: @moceanfit paddle posture techniques

Some great techniques if you want to make the most of your time in the water (I’ll be doing these ahead of getting back after my wrist breakage). Emily is fab, and all her fitness is tailored to the world of board sports (and she’s a surfer, skater, snowboarder, so she knows what’s important!).

Use this - AWA surftionary

Sometimes you can get into a new sport, and everyone uses terminology that you feel too much of an idiot (or a kook in this case) to ever question. This is a brilliant guide to every bit of lingo used in surfing so that’s not you.

Get yourself one of these: The finisterre recycled changing mat

Finisterre have grappled for a while with what to do with the numerous wetsuits that get discarded each year. While they’ve tried but not yet succeeded in making another wetsuit using the material, they have developed a rather brilliant changing mat from the offcuts, check it out.

Get behind this: Stand alongside the trans board community

There’s been so much written about this in the last week, but this article from Dazed, and this instagram post by Bee Illustrates are a good place to start when it comes to supporting those around you who are affected.

The Board Crew:

It’s that time again to highlight a brilliant member of our community. This week it’s @julesnewbiesk8er who I already thought was brilliant for starting to skate at 61, and despite having a big injury off the bat, coming back to it. Jules came to one of our London events, and the whole group loved her. More recently, she’s sadly broken her wrist (I can relate!) skateboarding, so it’s nice to be able to celebrate her skateboarding journey a little!

When and how did you get into board sports?

It was about 3 years ago. I play a lot of tennis, and I felt I wasn’t progressing or learning, so I had a think and for some reason landed on skateboarding. It looked super cool, I used to be a figure skater in my childhood (I thought I’d be good at balancing). I also googled older skateboarders and I came across Lena Salmi, a finnish lady who’d taken it up in her 60’s and that was pretty inspiring.

What do you love about them?

Initially I enjoyed the challenge, and still do. I liked that it can be done outdoors, and that it’s on the cusp between exciting and terrifying. When you’ve succeeded in a trick that feels really good. As time has gone by my reasons for enjoying skateboarding have morphed. It’s become almost as much about the people as it is about the sports and physical side. I’ve met so many inspiring and encouraging people. From a starting point of feeling like I was out on a limb, and an outlier, gradually I’ve been made to feel like I really belong, which is wonderful.

Describe how it feels when you’re on a board

Very often when stepping on for the first time at a skatepark, I feel uncertain and hope I’ll stay upright and not fall off, even when pushing round the park. As the session goes on, you gain confidence and you start to achieve things or go over tricks that you’ve done before. Then it feels really good. It’s a lot to do with the adrenaline, the endorphins, the raised heart rate. At the end of the session you feel elated to have achieved something so extraordinary.

What would you say to anyone considering trying it?

To anyone who is taking up skateboarding, find yourself a coach, a buddy or mentor. Someone of a similar standard or someone more advanced. And pad up! As much f**king padding that you can fit under or over your clothes! It might not come easy, but just stick at it and you will progress. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, without a doubt - but that’s what makes it a satisfying thing!

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That’s it for this week! Don’t forget to listen on Wednesday when the Sally McGee of Surf Yonder interview goes live on board women, and we’ll be back with more content on instagram, new interviews going live from the archive over the next few weeks, and much more!

And don’t forget to let me know what you think of The Board List below, and give us a share!

Have a good one!

Caroline x

Board Women Founder

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But fret not, the Board List is here to inspire you, remind you to get the most out of every day, and to get you on a board wherever possible. We’ll explore what to see, read, hear & do (Don’t be Board, you get the pun).

We’ll give you a heads up as to how you can get more time on your board with events, retreats, and opportunities to engage with the community (Get on Board).

And we’ll be highlighting the stories of members of the community to inspire you as to what you’re capable of, in mid life & beyond (The Board Crew).

We’ll absolutely dive into the worlds of skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding, but we’ll also go wider than that, looking at coverage around spending time in the great outdoors (wild swimming, time in nature), midlife and our need for change, and how we can push ourselves to do new things.

Importantly we really want to champion the women in our community, whether you’re just getting into the sport, or you’re a coach, we’d love to hear from you!

Let’s drop in..

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Don’t Be Board

Watch this: Jules & Greg Wild Swim

I describe cold water swimming as the gateway drug for many women I know who have embraced board sports later in life. I started about 3 or 4 years ago, and for the first year I did it, I was one of those obsessive bores that you encounter. Espousing the benefits, going daily, talking about your kit and how you felt after. Yes, that was me. I’m a little bit more measured now, but dipping in cold water is still one of the best sensations I know, and if you haven’t tried it, I’d urge you to do so. It’s the mind over matter part that relates to board sports, the idea that you’re capable of doing hard things, but it’s also no coincidence that it’s women often in mid life, peri-menopause, looking for a greater connection to their body.

This series covers two comics, Jules and Greg as they explore the wild swimming spots of Scotland (a must do on my list for surfing too). The second series is now live, but I’ve just gone back to the first episode, and it really connected with me. A shout out to Anna Deacon of @wildswimmingstories for the recommendation.

Follow this: @hearherstories on Instagram

This account caught my eye because it covered Europe’s Women-Only Nightclubs, offering women a space to reclaim joy, dance and community without feeling any pressure, and in family friendly hours. I’ve always loved @mumsthatrave in the UK - and anything that fuels joy in women is brilliant. This insta account amplifies untold stories of women and celebrates their achievements, and I am totally here for that.

Listen to this: Dying for Sex podcast

You’ve hopefully by now watched the new series with Michelle Williams on Disney, ‘Dying for Sex’. It’s a brilliant mini series inspired by the true story of Molly, who discovers in her 40’s that she has a terminal cancer, and decides to blow up her (unhappy) marriage, and go on a journey of sexual exploration. It’s an absolutely mesmerising series (I mainlined it in a matter of days), mostly because it’s a total reframe of a woman’s perspective when it comes to what she should and shouldn’t desire.

However, it’s really worth going back to the podcast that inspired the show, because you hear first hand from Molly and her friend Nikki, and some of the stories stand out even more when you realise they were 100% her reality.

Look out for this: Sally McGee x The Board Women Podcast

We couldn’t be more excited to announce that we have Sally McGee coming on the board women podcast, the episode will go live Wednesday 23rd, so look out for it or subscribe to make sure you don’t miss it! We talk supporting women in surfing, why motherhood needs to be talked about more in the surf space, and why travel is so essential to her family existence.

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Get on Board:

The weather is getting sunny, and the seasons retreats and event are in full swing. Check out some of the below & find your fellow hype crew!

The Skate Retreat’s Spring Skate Weekend

I’m a big fan of the skate retreats weekends, because who doesn’t appreciate the combination of the great outdoors and skate ramps? This one is 25th-27th April at their original site in Norfolk. You’ll have lovely vegan food, nature connection workshops, outside baths, and you’ll make great mates. Danni the founder was the founder of Girl Skate, and she’s also been on the podcast, the episode is well worth a listen.

The Wave Project x #BoardGameDay

The Wave Project are an amazing charity, supporting the mental health and wellness of young people via Surf Therapy. I’ve just started as a Board Trustee, and so you’ll be hearing more about them on here, but in May they have partnered with Dry Robe during Mental Health Awareness Week (12-19th May) to launch a series of challenges in relation to ‘Getting on Board’ (ironic that this matches our new newsletter!) to raise money for the charity. Get involved.

The Surf Girl Issue 82 Launch Party

I love Surf Girl Magazine, and particularly that they are building a strong community and opening up their launch parties. This one launches international surf films Amazigh and True Love, and two short films with Lena Kemna and Laura Crane. Tickets for the event (23rd April, Cornwall) are in the Surf Girl instagram profile here.

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The Board Crew

We’re going to be celebrating a different Board Women community member each week on the newsletter. We want to hear what you’re up to! DM us if you want to be featured and we’ll send you the questions & feature you on the newsletter.

Meet Gill Clark, 51, a Longboarder and Snowboarder

When and how did you get into board sports?

Around 2002, my first was learning to windsurf when I took myself off to Grenada with Nielsen in between jobs, I was hooked! So hooked that (I lived in Scotland at the time, not near water) when I came home I kept learning in the Scottish weather on a man made loch!

Then I moved to Brighton in 2003 met my husband and we made a deal, if I taught Matt how to sail, he would teach me how to snowboard (I didn’t ski or board at he time). Again hooked!

Somewhere in there I have given surfing a try on holidays and loved that too.

Later I took up paddle boarding, and then when the tides weren’t right to get out for some me time during covid times, I needed a way to get out, even for an hour, with minimum equipment and fuss and thought, hang on, if I can do boards on water and snow, why don’t I try skateboarding, so I did!

What do you love about them?

The people, the positivity, the connections you make and the technical challenge of board sports.

I’ve met and been inspired by so many people who have decided to give board sports a try, of all ages and backgrounds, I’ve always found the communities generous with their support, making you feel really glad you turned up and are giving it a go. And people have so many stories, I find it fascinating hearing about people’s journeys and the joy they’ve found pursuing their passion.

Describe how it feels when you’re on a board?

Freedom, pure freedom and joy, even if it’s a day when the steps aren’t quite there, I always feel better for getting out, having a go and blasting my favourite music. It’s so uplifting when someone passes you and gives you a thumbs up or a smile, when you get a wave or a knowing look from other skaters. Quite often I realise I’m smiling like a Cheshire Cat without even realising it. It’s so simple, me, my board , music, and movement = happy & free

What would you say to anyone considering trying?

I would say try it! Whatever that looks like for you, give it a go, explore which type of skating might be for you, park, surf skate, longboarding, and do you.

I shared on social media a while back that when people find out I’m 51 and skateboard, they quite often think I’m mad, but all I know is that I’m mad happy on my board ❤️

That’s it from us! It’s our first week of putting this together, so we’d love to hear from you what you want from us! Any ideas for future newsletters, online events, or content generally, let us know at info@boardwomen.co

Thanks so much for reading!

Caroline x

Board Women Founder