Jane McKenzie 57 years Surfing Tell us about an intense or fun surfing memory There are so many with the amount of years I have been in the water. Now it is enjoying the next generation of surfers and trying to help them understand respect for themselves, other surfers, the ocean and environment and not to be entitled or reckless. Every time I surf there is another funny story or adventure! What is your occupation Financial advisor for individuals, family’s and small business owners Do you have any significant community involvement? Santa Cruz Longboard Union, President ; Stewardship Council Santa Cruz World Surfing Reserve; Board Member Santa Cruz Surfing Club…

Adrienne Saxton 30 years Surfing Tell us about an intense or fun surfing memory Traveling to islands and continents to surf and finding Santa Cruz friends in each place! Surfing in Tahiti with the fire dancer I had watched perform the night before. He was the prince in the performance and when I saw him surfing the next day it was like I was surfing with a god! Surfing at a spot up north alone with a whale nearby the entire session.Going for a quick surf in Bali before leaving for a boat trip to the Mentawais and getting an injury that required stitches!Missing my flight back home from Bali…

Kathy Wiles 25 years Surfing Tell us about an intense or fun surfing memory My fondest surfing memories are probably from travel adventures I took with friends when I was in my 20’s, as well as memories from the year I lived on Maui with my closest buddies. We were really good at faking it till we made it in random line ups; and the carefree joy, laughter, surprises and bonding we shared during our time in the water and travels together is something I’ll always cherish and remember. My husband and I have also had some amazing kid-free surf trips to Mexico the last few summers which have been…

Jill Matthies 38 years Surfing Tell us about an intense or fun surfing memory Well.. I have so many fun stories but since we are talking about surfing with family, I can tell you about our family trip to Costa Rica. Let’s see, the kids were 15, 13 and 12 and we took a ponga out to a spot called Ollie’s point and we all got some really amazing waves but it started to thunder and lightening and my youngest got a bit scared so we all paddled back to the boat and started back to the beach which was about a 30 minute ride up the coast. Well, the…

Mei-Li Restani 2 years Surfing Tell us about an intense or fun surfing memory I went on a surf retreat in Morocco which is essentially where I learned to surf.  The first day we went out into the water I was a bit overwhelmed, to say the least.  Magic Bay is located in a small fishing village in Imsouane, Morocco and it opens up to one of the world’s largest breaks.  The paddle out was intense and my arms started to burn immediately. I honestly did not know how I was going to get through this surf session and was worried that I was a lost cause.  Lucky for me,…

Joni Martin 36 years Surfing Tell us about an intense or fun surfing memory When my son was 3 months old and my daughter was five, our family went on an 11 month surf trip through Australia, Bali, Fiji, and New Zealand. For about six of those months we were living in campervans, homeschooling our daughter through kindergarten by teaching her about the cultures, insects, plants, birds and animals we encountered. Our son spent the first year of his life meeting friendly strangers almost every day. We had so many amazing waves on that trip, made lifelong friends in multiple countries, but also had some bizarre and awful moments, including…

Julie Malcolm 35 years Surfing Tell us about an intense or fun surfing memory A stand out was surfing Haapiti for hours with my husband Christmas morning with no one else out; it was epic! He ended up breaking his board after about 4 hours of mind blowing fun. Tell us something unique about you as a mother who surfs with/without your kiddos I like to share waves and I like to get cold and shiver. What is your most memorable surf moment with your kids? We were all surfing Seascape on 4th of July and a white shark came up right next to us and was eating a fish.…

Katie Loggins 20 years Surfing Tell us about an intense or fun surfing memory With both of my children I surfed until I was 8 months pregnant. It was the most fun I have ever had in the water. I don’t think I have laughed that hard. It is so challenging, so every wave I caught was a triumph. And, I was so fortunate to have 2 of my now closest surf friends pregnant at the same time. As our bellies grew we played in the waves, laughing at how challenging it was to surf but having each other to share in the experience. Although some people found it surprising…

Ashley Lloyd Starting Surfing Before 10 years old Tell us about an intense or fun surfing memory I can remember the first time I stood up on my Zuma Jay Twin fin in the 3rd point malibu reform. I don’t think it was long, but I still remember! What is your occupation Surfboard Shaper, founder of Unfurling, my new company Do you have any significant community involvement? I love my community Tell us something unique about you as a mother who surfs with/without your kiddos This year, my son, Odin, has really gotten into the ocean. I think the super warm wetsuit helps. He wasn’t all that excited to surf…

Alayna Nathe 31 years Surfing Tell us about an intense or fun surfing memory I have the best memories surfing with Amy Mihal & Zeuf Hesson on a perfect overhead day at Privates…. just the 3 of us hooting and howling and catching the waves of our lives What is your occupation Online Marketing Tell us something unique about you as a mother who surfs with/without your kiddos We let our kids fall in love with surfing on their own time. My son is 14 and is now hooked on surfing, all waves & all types of boards. My biggest joy is sharing waves with him at 38th, splitting the…

Amy Mihal 19 years Surfing Tell us about an intense or fun surfing memory I am blessed to have so many fun surfing memories over the past years. I am grateful for each moment spent in the water with my best friends, Alayna Nathe and Zeuf Hesson, both of whom were incredible surfing mentors and inspirations to me! What is your occupation I am the co-owner of Village Yoga, and have been teaching yoga since 1999. Do you have any significant community involvement? I have been a small business owner (Village Yoga) for the past 20 years. Tell us something unique about you as a mother who surfs with/without your…

Lara Lenington A Long time Tell us about an intense or fun surfing memory I remember my daughter asking me why only women surf as she only saw my mom friends and me going off together. Sweet she lived in that world as a kid.Surfing up north in the morning and then loading my car with kids and boards looking for surf in town after school. What is your occupation Psychologist Do you have any significant community involvement? I have always volunteered at my children’s schools. I volunteer for the local psychological association. I volunteered for years for the local soccer club. Tell us something unique about you as a…

Ginaia Kelly 25+ years Surfing Tell us about an intense or fun surfing memory Surfing pregnant until 7 months along. Feeling great. Wearing my husband larger wetsuit. With birth of second child, was surfing again two weeks post-partum and felt like I didn’t miss a beat. Went snowboarding at 5-weeks post-partum; and at 10-weeks post-partum, was picking up toys on the floor with the baby on my chest in a Baby Bjorn, and herniated a disk in my low back and spent the next 8-days bedridden. Solo–intense moment was jumping off the point at the Lane on a big day (double overhead +) to paddle around to middle peak, and…

Kristen Kellermyer 40 years Surfing Tell us about an intense or fun surfing memory Surfing with my daughter in Mainland Mexico we had at least 30 beautiful blue winged stingrays swarm the line up and share our last wave of the day. What is your occupation 17-Mile Driving School owner, operator and instructor Do you have any significant community involvement? I’m courteous on the roadway and always use my turn signal 🙂 Tell us something unique about you as a mother who surfs with/without your kiddos Moms tend to lots of morning details. As a result, local well know shaper, Steve Coletta, gave me the nickname “Side Shore Sally”. What…

Grace Gooch 20 years Surfing Tell us about an intense or fun surfing memory Oh there are so many to chose from! One incredible surf trip that comes to mind is when me and my husband and our children went for a surf at pleasure point. My daughter isn’t old enough to surf but likes to get on my husbands board and paddle around with him. We were at 38th when suddenly a small seal jumped up in my board! The deal was so friendly and sweet and just wanted a place to rest. After hanging with me for a bit she hoped on top of my husbands board to…

Susan Coffey 30 years Surfing What is your occupation Finance Manager at Save The Waves Coalition. Do you have any significant community involvement? League Director, Santa Cruz Scholastic Surf League What is your most memorable surf moment with your kids? Too many to count! Surfing is a shared passion and our life pretty much revolves around the ocean and the rhythm of the tides and swell. Beach days, contests and surf trips have created so many amazing memories.   Return to Surfer Mamas Article

Julia E Salido 26 years Surfing Tell us about an intense or fun surfing memory So many memories. I am having trouble focusing on one. I love traveling to Mexico to surf. We have had wonderful times in Nexpa and San Blas, but I always love coming home to surf the spots I know best with my surf buddies here usually around Manresa/Aptos area. What is your occupation High school history teacher Do you have any significant community involvement? Mainly as a teacher. Tell us something unique about you as a mother who surfs with/without your kiddos My husband Pancho who is a dedicated (basically lives there on weekends from…

Maria Neeley Over 20 years Surfing Tell us about an intense or fun surfing memory A long time ago, before kids, I was surfing at an undisclosed beach break south of here, I pulled into a barrel going right , and I could see the shoreline right through the wall of water. It was so beautiful. I wiped out because I looked that way, but it was totally worth the view! What is your occupation “Play and roam” mom, part time surf coach. Do you have any significant community involvement? I am a part of an amazing crew of skateboarder women known as the Santa Cruz Lady Lurkers. I also…

Sarah Gerhardt 32 years Surfing (First woman to surf mavericks!) Tell us about an intense or fun surfing memory A fun memory I have is going to the Slater wave pool, surf ranch with my daughter and seeing her get barreled What is your occupation Chemistry instructor. Do you have any significant community involvement? I help with Ride a Wave, as a surf escort. Tell us something unique about you as a mother who surfs with/without your kiddos I surf really early before my kids wake up. What is your most memorable surf moment with your kids? Taking them out to Cowells as toddlers. What are some challenges of surfing…

Dina El Dessouky 22 years Surfing Tell us about an intense or fun surfing memory The most special surfing experience I’ve had in recent times was getting to shoot in the water up North with none other than the legendary Sachi Cunningham for a film collaboration that Textured Waves did with Roxy for International Women’s Day this year. My friend Chelsea Woody asked me to be a part of that, and even though the waves were small, from the minute I rolled up into the parking lot at dawn on that crisp, clear winter morning and met all the women involved, I knew it was going to be magic. We…