In every event I’ve run with Board Women someone has explained to me how important board sports are for their mental health. In some cases it’s helped people recover from significant trauma. In other cases it’s been the distraction someone has needed to offset the stress of caring responsibilities. In many, many cases (including my own) it’s accompanied the lonely chaos of peri-menopause.
Mental Health awareness week therefore seemed like the perfect moment to bring a group of women together to discuss this very topic.
We welcomed five super inspiring women to our talk:
Rhiannon, or ‘Ram’ as she’s affectionately known, coach at Skorcha Skate School
Lisa Baxter, trauma informed practitioner and safe guarding lead, as well as being one of the directors of The Board Mums Club
Danni Unway, Surf Confidence Coach and Psychotherapist
Jackie from @fortyandpushing - skateboarder, and skate charity volunteer
India a psychotherapist from @resurfaceuk an organisational that combines surf retreats with therapy
We talked about so much, and it really was a joyful celebration of how much skate, surf and snowboarding can bring to our lives, particularly in times of need.
One of the biggest themes was the mutual support we bring each other in these sports. Not just those in our immediate vicinity, but even the support from the online community:
“I’m in this loop. You support me, I support you, that sort of give and take, that building resilience, that cheering each other on. You are literally holding each other up after a fall, literally and emotionally. It creates this trust net with you and the others in your community. Even here, I’m talking about it as The Board Mums Club, but I know I’m part of a global community with everybody that’s on this chat right now. And it doesn’t matter if it’s on snow, if it’s on the water, if it’s on a skateboard, I’m part of that. And that connection, really supports my mental health.” - Lisa Baxter
It’s exactly what I’m trying to foster with Board Women, that sense that people have your back, understand what you’re going through, the metaphorical hands as you drop in, no matter where you’re at in your journey.
These confidence sessions are a brilliant demonstration of that community. In this discussion we covered:
Mid life loneliness and finding your people
The non-judgemental side of board sports
The side chats & how they might be the whole point
Getting your mojo & power back
The ASMR side of board sports & their power to deregulate
Normalising highs & lows & getting comfortable with being uncomfortable
Reframing board sports addiction as a positive
And so much more…
I’d love to hear what you think of this one! The full video is here, or you can listen on your favourite podcasting platform.
These sessions will be happening monthly, and we’d love you to be part of them! Paid Subscribers get every event for free, alongside 10% off merch, and real life events, and paid subscriber only content.
Tonight’s event is ‘Just Move It’ - helping you understand how to move your body to support your board sports journey. We bring together fitness trainer Emily from @moceanfit who specialises in taking up board sports later in life; Lizzie from @lizziebirdmoves osteopath and movement specialist (and surfer); and Louise from @louise_beyondthemat who specialises in board sports and yoga. The session will help you understand how to rehab your body, how to prepare your legs; and how to recover. Sign up here for the last tickets!
