It’s been a hot minute since it felt like the sun was out in the UK, and this last week has been absolutely glorious. Looking at the forecast, I know this may not have held by the time you all read this, but I’m hoping the optimism it unlocked will have.
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
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)
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!