Surf the Lineup

MAKE A WAVE is next month where I surf 30 days straight and share 30 surf stories to raise money for remote surf communities! I’ve shared some of my favourite stories from last year over on @surfaid blog! Featuring @surfersusie66 @wano_liao @janeythevet @elle_sampiere 🏄🏻‍♀️ If you’d like to share your story, head over to @inthelineup_ or tap on the link in my bio!

MAGAZINE FEATURE! Beyond stoked to share with you my NINE PAGE feature in @smorgasboarder magazine! (TEN if you include the cover image of Wano Liao!) Honoured to share stories of some of the incredible women I’ve shared waves with. Big shoutout to the surfers @janeythevet @surfersusie66 @wano_liao @elle_sampiere And photographers @kanemcmillanphoto @caitmiersphotography @aartwitness @aquasooz @hisarahlee @thesaltylineup These are the exact stories I want to put out in the world! Thanks Amber and the Smorgasboarder team for giving me the platform to share the stoke! Also thanks to @surfaid for inspiring me to collect such stories for @inthelineup_

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY! To all the women in my life - I see you, I hear you, I woo for your wins and ALL your waves. Let’s continue to lift each other up and ride this journey one party wave at a time. Read all these women’s stories on @surfthelineup Featuring: @janeythevet @nicarussell @annapixner @pintsizeparty_animal @rwdy.surf @wano_liao @caitmiersphotography @ashleejaade_ @marybianco25 @flores_odonnell @adrienne017 @miawotherspoon @amyleecavanagh @sigg_vanblargen @ellie.elizabeth89 @duckuy @elle_sampiere @britt_chessman @froth_nugget @cassieee.s @surfibabe @sassysilversurfers @eyes.betweenlines

Daniel While surfing a reef near Kingscliff, my mate, myself and a teenage bodyboarder had an unexpected visitor named Bruce – a 2.5m+ probable tiger shark. Luckily the kid had nerves of steel and some local knowledge of Bruce, so we came together as he directed us to cop a few on the head on the reef so that it didn’t come too close for a little taste test (the reef is followed by a gutter, so paddling in isn’t an option). After about three laps out the back, and around 5m away, Bruce continued about his day and headed south. We continued to surf for another two hours. That same day, we had a pod of dolphins and two huge humpbacks patrol the lineup just metres away. It’s their ocean and we are just sharing it, and the calm the kid showed gave a lot of faith in the up and coming generations of groms. 🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻‍♀️ Daniel’s story is one of the 30 stories @lisettedrew is sharing this September to raise funds for @surfaid - an organisation supporting those living in remote surf communities.

Christine Local surf break: Gunnamatta Beach, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia What is your day job? What’s a regular day-in-the-life for you? Working, volunteering in my local boardriders club and raising a family. Then getting my family to the beach every day to surf. When did you start surfing and why? I started surfing properly in my late 30s but always had aspirational dreams to try it as a 16-year-old. I’d spent most of my life chasing snowboarding dreams and thought it was time to try something new. I’ve learnt to surf with my kids with lots of encouragement and support from my husband. What is most important to you right now? Surfing with my family and staying fit and healthy. I also have career aspirations to work in the junior pathway for competitive surfing and help make it more accessible and evolve the resources available for young people currently competing in surfing. Share a surfing tip! Where we come from it’s very important to understand the rips. Chances are you might end up rescuing or saving someone’s life. Education is key! Surfers save lives! Share an epic surf story! Just had the best day surfing with my kids at Sunshine Beach! I’ve finally made the move from a longboard to a short, wide foamy and I’m actually catching waves on it (something I never thought I’d say!). A hot tip from a mate: foam is more fun and it’s true. Downsizing doesn’t mean missing out ,I’m getting all the shortboard fun with a lot more ease and stoke. Share the stoke! Surfing is so much more than just a sport — it’s a culture and a community that feels like one big family. Being part of a great surf club connects you with like-minded people and families, which makes it not only fun but also incredibly rewarding. It gives kids a positive outlet, keeps them active and healthy, and most importantly, it keeps them engaged and off the streets — doing something they love. 🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻‍♀️ Christine’s story is one of the 30 stories @lisettedrew is sharing this September to raise funds for @surfaid - an organisation supporting those living in remote surf communities.

Katja What is your local surf break? Mettams, Western Australia What is your day job? What’s a regular day-in-the-life for you? I work at Surfing WA. A typical day starts in the water with a surf or dip before work, depending on the schedule. I spend most my time in the office and occasionally on the beach helping out at events or activations. When did you start surfing and why? It started as a joke with a friend 12 years ago. What does surfing mean to you? It’s become the world I play and work in. It’s my escape, it’s what keeps me fit both mentally and physically. What is most important to you right now? Family. Share a surfing tip! Look where you’re going. Share an epic surf story! Beyond Waves (the program in WA to boost female participation) was build off the back of my own surf experience. It’s aimed at females who have always wanted to learn to surf but never did because of the barriers or life just got in the way. Now we offer a unique approach for mature women. As we learn different, we need attention in different areas, like overcoming fears or past injuries. It’s more than just surfing, it’s about connection. 🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻‍♀️ Katja’s story is one of the 30 stories @lisettedrew is sharing this September to raise funds for @surfaid - an organisation supporting those living in remote surf communities.

Sally My best surf day ever was with my brother, his mates, and my Brazilian friend Lucia. We got up in the dark on the North Shore, Hawaii. My brother was staying at Kuilima— Turtle Bay Hilton — and we planned to surf Backyards but the boys got sent in, so Velzyland was our next option. We paddled out into pumping waves. Then the air raid sirens started. Police shouted over loudhailers for everyone to get out of the water — a tsunami warning had been called. We evacuated fast. I was living with Brazilians at Sunset Vistas, and they were packing everything, even though it was a two-story building. We were told to head for higher ground. In the chaos, I lost my brother and his mates. They ended up on the hill above Foodland, watching the panic — locals rushing with pigs, chickens, and possessions. I walked up Comsat with my Brazilian friends who, of course, were totally chilled. From up there we watched the most perfect north swell lines I’ve ever seen rolling into Sunset Beach. Not everyone made it out of the surf. The sirens kept blaring. The air was hot, heavy, and electric with anticipation. When the tsunami finally hit, it was just 10cm higher than the wave before it but the swell was a clean, solid 10ft. Classic America: big, loud, dramatic. The North Shore is always a mix — army, jarheads, surfers, and all kinds of characters— but that day the energy felt amplified. Waves, sirens, fear, adrenaline — everything buzzing at once. Long story short: if we hadn’t paddled out in the dark, we would have missed the session completely thanks to the tsunami warning. My brother and his friends still have photos and memories from that day. 🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻‍♀️ Sally’s story is one of the 30 stories @lisettedrew is sharing this September to raise funds for @surfaid - an organisation supporting those living in remote surf communities.

Mike Local surf break: Cabarita, NSW, Australia What is your day job? What’s a regular day-in-the-life for you? Retired. I surf most mornings and travel for surfing either at contests or overseas. When did you start surfing and why? I started surfing at South Brighton Beach, Christchurch in 1969 when my elder brother came home from Australia and I got his surfboard. What does surfing mean to you? I enjoy the serenity of being in the ocean especially when it’s offshore and glassy. It gives me something to look forward to every day. What is most important to you right now? Right now at 70 years old I am finding that my fitness and health are the most important things. Share a surfing tip! Always give a couple of extra strokes when catching a wave. Share an epic surf story! I go to Indonesia every year at least and every trip is fantastic with great waves. Share the stoke! Longboard surfing contests are a great meeting place for like minded surfers. 🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻‍♀️ Mike’s story is one of the 30 stories @lisettedrew is sharing this September to raise funds for @surfaid - an organisation supporting those living in remote surf communities.

Anthea My most proud moment is probably a surf trip to Maccaronis in the Mentawais. I found this left breaking wave to have such a tricky take off and spent six hours every day over the first three days getting smashed on the reef and just not making the takeoff. It was heartbreaking to travel so far and to just get stuck physically and mentally. I persevered and by day six of this trip I was paddling into the bigger waves (still less than 5ft) and not feeling scared at all and just having an absolute ball. This is still my best surf trip ever and I smile when i think about it. 🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻‍♀️ Anthea’s story is one of the 30 stories @lisettedrew is sharing this September to raise funds for @surfaid - an organisation supporting those living in remote surf communities.

Kay Local surf break: Alexandra Headland, Queensland, Australia Every year three close surf sisters and I take a weekend trip to Double Island Point, where I first learnt to surf. We surf six hours a day, slow cook egg and bacon wraps, nap on the beach and try not to get too badly sunburnt. These are so special and as the years go on and the girls are having babies, the trips look slightly different but we have committed to making them happen for the rest of our lives, even when we’re 70! I am so stoked to see women leading the way in changing our surfing culture both in and out of the water 🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻‍♀️ Kay’s story is one of the 30 stories @lisettedrew is sharing this September to raise funds for @surfaid - an organisation supporting those living in remote surf communities.

Megan Local surf break: Bargara (Kelly’s Beach, Mon Repos, Elliott Heads), Australia What is your day job? High school teacher for maths and science When did you start surfing and why? I started about three or four years ago. I had always wanted to learn to surf and have always loved the beach and ocean. At the time, I was looking to ‘retire’ from netball after playing for many years but I love to be active so I was keen to try something new. I joined a local women’s only learn to surf clinic… and I was hooked. I started with long boarding but predominantly SUP surf now. What does surfing mean to you? Freedom, friendship, challenge, mental health and well-being. What is most important to you right now? Improving my surfing (longboard and SUP), supporting my club and students. Share a surfing tip! Start with a good beginner board. Keep your head up and bend those knees! Share an epic surf story! My favourite surfs are when I encounter dolphins, turtles or see whales. I live in a beautiful part of the world. Small waves but still lots of fun 🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻‍♀️ Megan’s story is one of the 30 stories @lisettedrew is sharing this September to raise funds for @surfaid - an organisation supporting those living in remote surf communities.

Suzanne Local surf break: Matara, Sri Lanka What is your day job? What’s a regular day-in-the-life for you? I left my career in football to chase a dream: creating a space where women can learn and grow their surfing in a welcoming, stylish, empathetic and laid-back environment. Now, my “day job” is building this space – a boutique hotel on three acres of lush land in southern Sri Lanka set to open this December. When did you start surfing and why? I started surfing aged 39 after randomly meeting a surf instructor in a bar in Morocco when I was on holiday. The next day I took a lesson and was immediately hooked. I didn’t know why at the time, all I knew was I had found something that made me feel amazing. What does surfing mean to you? It’s difficult to underestimate the impact that surfing has had on my life. I started learning to surf about 14 years ago when I was 39, very irregularly, but I immediately loved it. And I’m still not what anyone would class as “good”, but I don’t care. I do care about progressing because of the pride and the stoke it gives me, but not by putting massive pressure on myself, like I did in the beginning. Surfing has helped me navigate some very difficult times in my life and it has taught me how to start to let go and to be more present. You have to let go of control and you have to immerse yourself in the moment in order to be able to surf. At age 48 I moved to Sri Lanka to pursue a dream that had been developing over 10 years, to set up women’s surf retreats coached by women. Something I couldn’t find when I started. 🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻‍♀️🏄🏻‍♀️ Suzanne’s story is one of the 30 stories @lisettedrew is sharing this September to raise funds for @surfaid - an organisation supporting those living in remote surf communities.