More and more restrictions are being put on catcalling on the streets of The Netherlands, but what about the silent catcalling during the surf? The subtle-but-not-so-subtle ways guys check out your ass when you paddle out and overcare for avoiding a nip slip. Why is surfing so sexualised? Are these really compliments (as guys would call them when you would subtly-not-so-subtly inquire) or are we w
omen in a male-dominated surf world? The opposite is also not really what we look for in a surf session: guys dropping into our waves because we’re so-called weaker paddlers or for whatever invalid reason. Is that really how the line-up and priority work or are we women in a male-dominated surf world? Female empowerment in the water. That is what we stand for. We deserve waves are much as men do and should not be sexualised or taken advantage of because we are unconfident. But there is more. We connect surfing with art. The reason lies in my own insecurity, resulting in the imposter syndrome. I have always loved drawing and creativity, as you can read in my personal creativity story and surfing journey on embodied creativity. But I never felt confident enough to put my art out there in the world, for commercial or portfolio purposes. And here’s the connection: it is for the exact same reason as I struggle to call out men who show intolerant behaviour in the surf, namely insecurity, not feeling enough, and being afraid that people find out I am an imposter. That I am actually a sh*t surfer (which I kind of am if 58 eyes are pointed at me the moment I finally claimed my spot in the line-up) and a fake artist. So go catch that wave, babes! Go catch the wave you are entitled to and surf your ass off. It’s the only way to improve. Go catch that wave that symbolises the goal that you really want to achieve. Forget the risk and take the fall yet paddle as if you’re chased by a white shark. Get out of your comfort zone and dare to be yourself. Go after the things that inspire you, energise you, and motivate you to get that f**king leash on and paddle out on those waves. Go catch that wave. You deserve it and you can do it.
