Girls are up!
SURFING AND GIRLS: THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL ROLE MODELS
Surfing in Senegal is practiced by more than the 90% by boys, who got closer to this sport by going to fishing, which is strictly a male activity.
The core group of girls benefiting from the program is actively breaking gender stereotypes and serving as role models in their community.
They successfully balance surfing with their studies or jobs. While they still manage their responsibilities at home, the support from tutoring enables them to organize their time effectively and plan their tasks.
The ocean is often seen as perilous, and surfing remains a privilege for those brave enough to ride the waves, paddle against strong currents, and risk falling onto rocks.
When a girl demonstrates such courage, she earns great respect within the surfing community. Girls gain self-confidence and feel a sense of belonging to a community where they can teach younger members and learn from their mentors. They realize that surfing opens up opportunities for them to seize.
Given the predominantly Muslim society, which prohibits the exposure of certain parts of the female body, we are working to find wetsuits or beach attire that accommodate diverse body types and cultural norms, as it is essential for girls to avoid facing prejudice.
Additionally, we organize panels to foster discussions with athletes who have encountered biases in their own sports, as well as workshops aimed at reshaping the image of Black surfers on social media
