More women take up surfing later in life on the Surf Coast

A new wave of women is hitting the ocean, with mums in Torquay and Jan Juc taking up surfing later in life.

Jan Juc surfing champion Emma Webb and Torquay surfer Kellie D'Orsa. Picture: Alan Barber

A new wave of women is hitting the ocean, with mums in Torquay and Jan Juc taking up surfing later in life.

Kellie D’Orsa, 49, started surfing about three years ago and now rides her long board every day.

The Torquay mum of two was a keen ocean swimmer and always wanted to give surfing a go.

“As a single mum and business owner, I never had the opportunity to dedicate time in the ocean,” she said.

Ms D’Orsa, who used to own Cardiac Skills Australia and is now a casual academic at Deakin University’s School of Medicine, said surfing was “a form of meditation” to her.

“It helps me rest from the daily stresses of life and keeps me focused on the present,” she said.

“It also keeps me fit, there are so many benefits.”

Australian surfing and stand up paddle boarding champion Emma Webb said there has been an influx of women aged 30 and over taking up the sport.

“The last five to 10 years especially, the rise in women’s surfing has been astronomical,” she said.

Webb, from Jan Juc, was involved in the nippers program when she was younger and took up surfing, which was a typically male-dominated sport, when she was about 16.

“There wasn’t many women out on the water when I started … there were five to 10 women on the Surf Coast that regularly surfed,” she said.

Webb said she needed “thick skin” when she first jumped on a surf board when she was younger.

“You had to be pretty thick skinned to take the comments and the attitudes (from men in the water) to keep going,” she said.

“You couldn’t let their comments or snide remarks get to you.

“I used to pretend that is didn’t affect me at all.”

Jan Juc surfing champion Emma Webb and Torquay surfer Kellie D'Orsa. Picture: Alan Barber

Webb said more local mums were taking up the sport across the Surf Coast, predominantly long boarding and stand-up paddle boarding.

“Once you’ve had a kid, you think you can do anything,” she said.

“It’s like they’ve decided ‘we couldn’t do it as a kid, we’re going to get out and do it now.’

“You can catch anything on a long board and it allows you to surf in any conditions which is great if you’re limited for time.”

Short boarding is still popular with younger females.

Webb said more women in the water was showing younger girls “they can give anything a go”.

“I hope women always feel they can get out there and give something a go,” she said.

Ms D’Orsa said it was important for younger girls to see women trying new skills and giving a new sport a go.

“I’m a very independent woman and I want to show my children they can do anything,” she said.

The Geelong Advertiser is highlighting issues affecting women in the region in the lead up to International Women’s Day on Friday.

The Addy is recognising the women who are the unsung ‘sheroes’ of Greater Geelong and the Surf Coast.

To nominate a woman in our community who is helping to support others, click here.

Originally published as More women take up surfing later in life on the Surf Coast