I find as I age (47, creeping up on 48) that I crave simplicity more than anything.
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 Kelly Oxford 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
