Chrissie Baldwin has a really big goal – to get 1 million women around the world surfing by 2020.
The British photographer from Brighton started surfing when she was 25 – after years of feeling “too intimidated and definitely not cool enough” – and has been hooked ever since.
“I want to share the passion I’ve found from surfing, but also challenge sexism in the surfing industry by readdressing the balance in a really positive way. I want surfing to be more accessible and encourage more women to give it a go.”
She started the Making Waves movement this year with the aim of making surfing more accessible and encouraging more women to give it a go.
These Are The Real Female Surfers Of New York City
“There just isn’t enough coverage of inspiring female role models out there. As a newcomer to surfing, you need to know there are women out there like yourself who are doing it too.”
She also believes it doesn’t help that women in the surf industry are over-sexualised in films and magazines – and the opportunities in competitions are often unequal. “Women get less prize money, have poorer wave allocations and sometimes aren’t even included at all.”
As Chrissie points out, Red Bull Unleashed competition at Surf Snowdonia last week is a prime example. Twenty-four top surfers from across the globe were invited to compete – none of whom were women.
“All of these factors are not particular encouraging or welcoming for women. They don’t reflect the many awesome experiences you do get when you are a part of the surfing community.”
Chrissie is now on a nine-month globetrotting trip from California to Hawaii, Mexico and Central America, taking photographs and sharing stories of the female surfers she encounters online. “This is just the beginning of many more actions to come.”
She’s going to be working with collaborators such as The Wahine Project, Fearlessgirl and Surf Señoritas – as well as putting together a team of Making Waves ambassadors to spread the word.
“By sharing inspirational stories of women already involved in the sport, this will hopefully invite more girls and women to join in.”
If you have been inspired by the Making Waves movement, get in the water and give surfing a go.
Upload a picture of yourself on our Facebook/Twitter/Instagram sites and share the fun you will definitely have from catching waves.
Subscribe through the website and get regular updates of what is going on with the Making Waves Movement
Female surfers – if you are a female surfer, become a Making Waves Ambassador and post a photo/video and a brief summary of your inspiring surfing story.
You can also help get more girls and women involved by sharing and liking the Making Waves Movement’s Facebook, Twitter & Instagram pages
If you have any ideas too of how we can inspire more girls and women to get involved, feel free to drop me an email at: [email protected]
