A group of Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads women have accepted the challenge of getting out onto the water with their surfboard every day this month for charity.
The group of up to 15 women, called ChixSurf13th, has raised around $7000 so far for Surfaid’s September challenge.
The aim is to raise money for clean water, sanitation, food security and basic healthcare for families in remote international surfing locations.
“Originally the target was for four grand ($4000), but now we are hoping to get 10 grand as a team,” team member Emily Gardner said.
“As a team, at least someone goes into the water every day.
“We have 15 in the team and eight or nine have been out every single day and we have surprised ourselves.”
Surfaid has so far raised more than $500,000 for the cause and ChixSurf13th is sitting in ninth place on the teams leaderboard.
Despite the importance of helping remote surfing communities, Emily said the women had benefited enormously.
“I’ve gone from a really fussy surfer to making the most of the conditions you have,” she said.
“It takes it back to basics where you have fun and you’re not snobby about the conditions out there. There are a lot of side benefits to getting out into the water.
“All of us are mostly mums as well. It’s a good break for us to get out there and not be screaming at our kids.”
However, Emily said September hasn’t been a good month for surf conditions.
“I reckon there’s probably only been about three days that have been good,” she said.
“But that hasn’t deterred some of us from getting out there every day.”
There is still time to donate to ChixSurf13th’s quest to rise up the leaderboard. Go to makeawave.com.au/t/chixsurf13thteam and head to 13thbeachboardriders.com/womens to find out more about getting involved in women’s surfing.
