In collaboration with Local Boys Surf Shop in Crescent City, CA
Photos courtesy of Jennie Porter with Re-Ride Stories
Written by Kelly Potts - Founder & President of All Are We Water Collective
Each year at the Crescent City Surfer Girls Retreat, the hugs just keep getting better. Familiar young faces have grown so much, I almost don’t recognize them. But the feeling the girls and women show up with is the same: positive, energetic, and ready to surf!
We all suited up under a warm northwestern sun, then gathered around for an opening circle ceremony where Aunty Jenny, a Crescent City local surfer who has volunteered every year for this event, played ukulele and sang a song in memory of a young man who had passed away just days before. What a sweet song! Then a fun game of “act out your spirit animal while saying your name” ensued, with a little run-around warmup game of “I like that too"!” So many giggles and sweet moments brought a sense of unity to the group.
Jadelin and Jadence were returning surfer girls at this year’s retreat and are such a great example for the younger girls because they pay good attention during my land lesson, which is nearly half an hour long, and it shows in their surfing. Like all my land lessons, I emphasize safety first: recognizing rip currents, how to get out of them, how to use them to get out beyond the break, and knowing what unsafe conditions look like - “If in doubt, don’t go out.” I also like to talk about where waves come from: big storms out in the middle of the ocean sending ripples of energy, sometimes from thousands of miles away, to reach our shore for us to ride. A very special way to connect with nature.
After a lengthy land lesson, we get right into practicing the surfing technique, which I call an “easy-on-the-body” technique. Sudden, jerky movements in the well-known “pop-up” technique, leave most surfers hoping they get their feet in the right position, and tends to send them into a wipeout. Going slow, and using smooth body movements to get to our feet, helps us balance easier, and helps get our feet into the right spot on the board.
This year’s Crescent City Surfer Girls were ripping! My heart was filled with joy and pride, knowing I gave these girls the skills to successfully surf and connect with the ocean. The ocean has been a main source of escape and therapy in rough times, not just for myself, but for so many others I know. My hope is to give these girls the knowledge to be able to get out on the water when they need a pick-me-up, to embrace their abilities, gain confidence in themselves, and receive the benefits of being in nature.
Volunteers are the most important component of the Crescent City Surfer Girls Retreat, and all the other Indigenous Surfer Girls Retreats we host in the northwest. With their help setting up the event equipment, greeting and checking in folks when they arrive, helping outfit the gals with wetsuits, helping the chefs set up lunch, and being out on the water getting the ladies into waves, I can focus on quality instruction, and do my best to provide a meaningful, memorable experience for all. Big shout out and Mahalo to all the volunteers who’ve come back year after year to offer their support for these retreats! You help make this world a better place, and it melts my heart to see the love you have for your community!
A special shout out to Hune', who has come out each year for this event, and this year stood up on her first wave! When she came to the first retreat three years ago, she was nine years old, hesitant and fearful, but super excited to surf, and each year I’ve witnessed her growing more confident: perfecting her belly rides, and learning the way of the ocean. This year, her confidence was beaming from the moment she showed up at the beach, and she took the bold step to stand up! I couldn’t be more proud, and it was evident she was proud of herself too.
It was really sweet to see a mom, Andromeda, bring her daughter, Elora, to the retreat where they both learned how to surf, and incredible to see mom show her girl how to go for it. I could sense Elora’s hesitation with the ocean, and having her mom charging right next to her seemed to put Elora at ease. Elora got some nice belly rides, which is the most important surfing technique. I have a good feeling Elora will be standing up next year, and hopefully her and her mom will get some party waves.
Congratulations to the new surfer girls who came out and learned how to surf for the first time! You ladies really went for it! You should be proud of yourselves for stepping out of your comfort zones, and trying something new, challenging, and for some, nerve-racking. You saw a different side of yourselves that showed you what you are truly capable of. Imagine all the things you are able to do in this life!
Mahalo to these supporters:
BIG MAHALO to Jennie Porter, not only for driving a whole day to come out and volunteer to take photos for FREE for the surfer girls to enjoy forever, but also for hand making nearly 40 All Are We Water Collective leather patches and rings to add to the goodie bags! Jennie has come out every year for this event, and is a crucial component to its success. Thank you for your loving, kind, and generous heart, Porter! We love you!
BIG MAHALO to Local Boys Surf Shop for co-hosting this event with me every year: providing all the surfing equipment (wetsuits, and surfboards), and for rallying up the most incredible volunteers we could ever wish for. You guys have the biggest hearts, and it is inspiring to see the love you have for your community! Can’t wait for next year where I’ll get to see baby Keanu out of the belly!
BIG MAHALO to our major supporter, PrAna, for believing in my vision to bring a program like this to life, providing financial assistance to make it possible, and giving away so many goodies for the participants to enjoy. You’ve had my back since day one, and I’m proud to represent a company who stands for positive change. Thank you and we love you!
And another BIG MAHALO to Tolowa Dee-Ni’ Nation for allowing me the opportunity to provide this experience for the girls and women in your community! To Amanda O’Connell, the Tribal Heritage Preservation Officer, who always has my back, and helps fill in all the holes. Your support for your community is exemplary, and I’m inspired by you! Thank you for always making this a stress free event!