And this is exactly what female surfing needs: more women who are loving just being out there. With their Roxy Week, the Jah Shaka Surf Lodge in Luz, Portugal, is advertising exactly that. With morning yoga sessions, bonfire nights and a little SUP sightseeing / core workout tour on the flat down day, the girls get to experience a glimpse of the elusive beach lifestyle that the sport of surfing brings along. And by the time they leave, the majority of them are seriously hooked and already making plans for the next session. Preferably with other girls of course – if they manage to find any.

I know what I’m talking about. Like many boardsports-loving girls, I’ve spent most of my time riding with guys – no matter on what board. And while I would never want to miss even a split-second of that, there’s nothing to push you like another girl.

So whether you’re dying to get your best friend to at least check out the sideways sliding style or are eager to find new connections with other like-minded females, I can only recommend you check out a girls special like this Roxy Week.

If you’re already a seasoned wave riderette who has grown out of the white water a long time ago, you’ll still find spots, breaks and sessions for your liking at the Jah Shaka Surf Lodge. All year round basically, as the coastal exposure to the West and South catches all kinds of swells from the Atlantic to the Street of Gibraltar. Facilitating that, they employ various surf instructors and coaches to cater for all levels and also offer guiding to the best spots around. After your salty session, you can rest your head in one of the 10 dorm beds (that are normally mixed, except for the girls week), treat yourself to a private room or one of their tipis in the backyard (which were my absolute favourite by very, very far), if you didn’t bring your own tent to camp up.