The Board List: Women x Strength
A reinvention of how we see our bodies & what they are capable of
There’s a shift happening: women are finally focusing on strength and what our bodies are capable of. It’s a shift that I am totally here for, away from the ideals of fitness that I grew up with. The skinniness of the 70’s and 80’s, the messages of ‘don’t lift heavy’ incase it resulted in a bulky silhouette, the common but seldom talked about eating disorders of friends at school.
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.
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.
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!