Born with a love of the ocean and saltwater in my veins, I was raised on the beaches of Ōtautahi.

Being part of the local surf life saving community then gradually transitioning to a full commitment in surfing gave me the opportunity to travel, coach and compete around the world. After many years of travel, Ōtepoti is home, continuing to get salty around the coastlines dodging sea lions.

Having an intricate understanding of the surfing community I can provide insight into improvements needed for young women to thrive and am passionate to ensure our regions are represented as well.

This is an exciting time not only for wāhine in surfing but sport as a whole. I look forward to being a part of the future ahead and it is an honor to be the Co-President of AWSA have the opportunity to contribute to the progression of gender equity for wāhine and kōtiro waveriders.

See you out there!

Highlights/Multiple National Titles Longboard and Shortboard/New Zealand Team representation ISA World Surfing Games/Multiple Invitational longboard titles/now nurse/māmā of two/nest builder/waverider for fun.

Image Ted Black @Coldwave

I moved to New Zealand from Canada 7 years ago in search of a more laidback lifestyle and the ocean. I’ve been surfing for nearly 5 years solid and am loving the journey. It’s been one of my biggest challenges to date as I am not a natural athlete!

As a born and bred Canadian from the heart of the Rocky Mountains and old cowboy country (Calgary), I grew up in traditional upbringings in an immigrant household. I pursued a Business Degree and later went on to do my CMA/CPA accounting qualifications. My experience has been in financial analytics and helping to educate managers to understand their financial areas of responsibility. I am currently the financial controller for Asaleo Care in Kawerau.

There is a lot of change happening in the world and it’s a perfect time to have an organization like AWSA to help support females for equity and participation in surfing and building community.

I’ve surfed for most of 30 years. I’m unashamedly a short boarder and I will talk surfing for hours if you let me. Surfing is my meditation, my escape, my fitness, my first love.

I grew up surfing on the Gold Coast in the early 90’s when women in the lineup were a rare commodity. I recall our competition judges telling us we needed to surf more like the blokes. It was just like the movie ‘Girls Can’t Surf.

Many years later, I co-founded the first all-female owned and operated surf school in Auckland- for women by women. With that ethos we created and coached women’s only surf lessons, and women’s only surf days. We formed a community around us to create a safe space for women to learn, share, celebrate and heal together. I’ve brought that passion to Aotea, where I now live, to bring our island’s wāhine surfing community together. It beautiful, it’s pure and it’s heartful.

Supporting AWSA for me is the next step in my journey to help lower the barriers for the next generation of wāhine moana.

My home is the Kāpiti Coast which is north Wellington. Not a spot known for awesome surf, because it’s not a spot for awesome surf! But when some swell does make its way to our coast, you’ll find me nearby.

In my younger years, I spent many long days sitting on different beaches along the Wairarapa and Taranaki coastlines while the boys were out there having the time of their lives. Finally, I concluded that spectating was really boring and plucked up the courage to bash around in the whitewash and I haven’t looked back since.

Given all my years of playing in the ocean, you’d think I’d be quite good at surfing. I am not. But it’s one of the only places on this earth where I can truly do something for myself without a single thought or care. The ocean is an energizing place for me and I hope my small role at the association will go some way in encouraging and supporting other wāhine to get out there.

At the age of 50, I embarked on a remarkable journey to deepen my passion for the sea by venturing into the world of surfing . A year later, it’s now a profound obsession, though it does present formidable challenges. Hopefully, other women in their fifties will be inspired to take that first step on an amazing journey.

Having worked and supported staff in women dominated industries, I am proud to help advocate for women’s involvement in surfing. With a background in commercial, charity and community work I look forward to supporting the remarkable endeavors of AWSA and its members.