76. 🏄‍♀️ Member Spotlight: How Chey Built Resilience and Confidence in Notoriously Aggressive Santa Cruz Lineups

76. 🏄‍♀️ Member Spotlight: How Chey Built Resilience and Confidence in Notoriously Aggressive Santa Cruz Lineups

What does it take to keep showing up—no matter what life throws your way? Chey’s story will leave you inspired. As a mother, a surfer living with MS, and a woman paddling out in Santa Cruz’s notoriously aggressive lineups, she reminds us that strength isn’t about perfection—it’s about choosing joy, resilience, and community. In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady, The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™, I talk with Chey, a Surf Société member whose journey spans from growing up around lakes in Canada to raising a family that surfs together in Mexico and now living in Santa Cruz. Along the way, she’s navigated health challenges, learned how to read the ocean, and discovered the confidence it takes to hold her ground in one of the world’s most aggressive surf lineups. Chey’s story is a reminder that surfing is layered, personal, and ever-changing. Through The Surf Société, she’s found not just skills and knowledge, but a supportive community of women who celebrate each other’s wins. From reflecting on tough sessions to choosing joy in the lineup, her perspective will inspire you to keep going, keep learning, and keep protecting your stoke. Main Themes * Surfing as a Lifelong Journey Chey shares her path from early water experiences in Canada to surf trips in Costa Rica and Mexico, and finally finding home in California. * Confidence in the Lineup From Santa Cruz aggression to run-ins with entitled surfers, Chey explains how she’s learned to protect her energy and hold her ground. “You can choose to paddle in—you’re not giving into them, you’re protecting your positive experience.” * The Power of Community and Knowledge Chey describes how Surf Société gave her confidence, ocean knowledge, and a sisterhood where everyone’s progress feels like a shared win. Show Resources * 🌊 Join our global women’s surf community — The Surf Société — and start your free 7-day trial today → Join Now [https://community.surfsociete.com/invitation?code=68JB23] * Learn more first → Surf Société Overview [https://surfsociete.com] * Follow Laura Day → @confessionsofasurflady [https://instagram.com/confessionsofasurflady] * Follow Surf Société → @surfsociete [https://instagram.com/surfsociete] * 🛍 Shop Surf Société → shop.surfsociete.com [https://shop.surfsociete.com] How to Support the Podcast 1. 💙 Support our sponsors – They help keep this show going. 2. 🛍 Shop Surf Société – Support women-centered surfwear and community. 3. ⭐ Leave a Review – Help more women find us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. 4. 📲 Share this episode – Send it to a surf sister who needs to hear it. Send me a Message! Be sure to leave your contact info. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/769034/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://shop.surfsociete.com] Confessions of a Surf Lady, women's surfing podcast, is supported by The Surf Société [https://surfsociete.com/join], our unique digital women's surfing platform where we come together to Learn More. Surf Better. Live Happy. Learn more at Surfsociete.com

75. Stronger Than Ever: The Joy of Surfing Over 50 with Sassy Silver Surfers

What does it feel like to paddle out in your fifties, sixties, or even seventies? For the women of the Sassy Silver Surfers Club, it feels like freedom. It feels like strength. And most of all, it feels like proof that surfing doesn’t have an age limit. In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady, The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™, I’m joined by co-founders Lisa Alfano and Inessa Love, who started surfing later in life and quickly realized how few role models they saw in the lineup. Together, they created the Sassy Silver Surfers—a vibrant community for women 50+ who are showing up with courage, joy, and inspiration. Through heartfelt confessions from their members, Lisa and Inessa share stories of women who started surfing at 57, became instructors in their fifties, and even returned to the waves at 72. These are stories of resilience, self-discovery, and the wisdom that comes from embracing life fully at every stage. This is a conversation that will make you laugh, tear up, and walk away believing that your best waves may still be ahead of you. Main Themes * Redefining Surfing After 50 Lisa and Inessa share their personal journeys—one from triathlons, the other from Hawaii—and how they built a thriving community that proves surfing isn’t just for the young. * Challenging Ageism in Surf Culture The women of Sassy Silver Surfers are breaking stereotypes and pushing back against the idea that you’re “too old” to surf. Their stories show how visibility creates change. * The Power of Community From laughter to tears, their group is living proof that women thrive together. Community provides encouragement, role models, and the space to grow at any age. Guest Resources * Join Sassy Silver Surfers on Facebook → Sassy Silver Surfers Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/sassysilversurfers] * Instagram: @sassysilversurfers [https://instagram.com/sassysilversurfers] * Visit Ageless Adventures → https://www.tri2surf.com/about Show Resources * 🌊 Join our global women’s surf community — The Surf Société — and start your free 7-day trial today → Join Now [https://community.surfsociete.com/invitation?code=68JB23] * Learn more first → Surf Société Overview [https://surfsociete.com] * Follow me, Laura Day → @confessionsofasurflady [https://instagram.com/confessionsofasurflady] * Follow Surf Société → @surfsociete [https://instagram.com/surfsociete] * 🛍 Shop Surf Société → shop.surfsociete.com [https://shop.surfsociete.com] How to Support the Podcast 1. 💙 Support our sponsors – They help keep this show going. 2. 🛍 Shop Surf Société – Support women-centered surfwear and community. 3. ⭐ Leave a Review – Help more women find us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. 4. 📲 Share this episode – Send it to a surf sister who needs to hear it. Send me a Message! Be sure to leave your contact info. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/769034/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://shop.surfsociete.com] Confessions of a Surf Lady, women's surfing podcast, is supported by The Surf Société [https://surfsociete.com/join], our unique digital women's surfing platform where we come together to Learn More. Surf Better. Live Happy. Learn more at Surfsociete.com

74. Dreaming of Noseriding? Here’s How We’ll Get There Together

👉 Get The FREE guide & Join Noseride Collective Waitlist [https://free.surfsociete.com/noserideguide] This summer inside Surf Société, we wrapped up something truly special: our six-week Nose Ride Blueprint challenge. What started as an idea we’d been carrying for nearly two years turned into a program that brought women together, inspired breakthroughs, and created real progress toward nose riding goals. In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady, The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™, I share how The Noseride Blueprint unfolded, the surprising ways our community showed up for each other, and why it was too good to stop there. From first-time cross-steps to vision boards filled with inspiration, the energy was undeniable—and it’s what inspired me to create the next step: The Noseride Collective. If you’ve ever dreamed of gliding to the nose of your board—or you’re just curious what it really takes—this episode is your invitation. I’ll walk you through how the Collective will work, what you can expect, and how to grab your free Surf Lady’s Guide to Noseriding to start your journey. Main Themes * What Made the Nose Ride Blueprint Special How mentorship, assignments, and shared wins helped women make real progress toward nose riding. * Community Energy and Shared Wins From first cross-steps to inspirational vision boards, the group lifted each other up in powerful ways. * The Nose Ride Collective Why we’re continuing the journey with a six-month program designed for support, mentorship, and steady progress. * How to Get Started Download your free Surf Lady’s Guide to Nose Riding and join the list to be the first to know when the Collective opens. Resources * 📥 Download the Surf Lady’s Guide to Nose Riding (free PDF) → https://free.surfsociete.com/noserideguide [https://free.surfsociete.com/noserideguide] * 🌊 Join Surf Société — start your free 7-day trial → Join Here [https://community.surfsociete.com/invitation?code=68JB23] * Learn more about Surf Société → Overview [https://surfsociete.com] * Follow me, Laura Day → @confessionsofasurflady [https://instagram.com/confessionsofasurflady] * Follow Surf Société → @surfsociete [https://instagram.com/surfsociete] * 🛍 Shop Surf Société → shop.surfsociete.com [https://shop.surfsociete.com] How to Support the Podcast 1. 💙 Support our sponsors – They help keep this show going. 2. 🛍 Shop Surf Société – Support women-centered surfwear and community. 3. ⭐ Leave a Review – Help more women find us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. 4. 📲 Share this episode – Send it to a surf sister who needs to hear it. Send me a Message! Be sure to leave your contact info. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/769034/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://shop.surfsociete.com] Confessions of a Surf Lady, women's surfing podcast, is supported by The Surf Société [https://surfsociete.com/join], our unique digital women's surfing platform where we come together to Learn More. Surf Better. Live Happy. Learn more at Surfsociete.com

73. Navigating Surf Lineups as a Black Woman with Mimi Miller

Mimi Miller embodies the fierce joy and courageous authenticity that surfing desperately needs. In a world often dominated by slim, conventional images, Mimi is breaking stereotypes and showcasing how curvy, strong, and confident women redefine surfing. In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady, The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™, Mimi shares her 11-year surfing journey—from dancing on the beach for warmups to confronting microaggressions in the lineup. Her candid conversation about cultural barriers, surf etiquette, and body positivity provides deep insights into how surfers of color can reclaim their joy and assert their place in the waves. Through Mimi's vibrant storytelling, you'll connect with her fierce spirit and discover how empowerment, authenticity, and community solidarity can transform your surfing experience. Main Themes: * Surfing with Confidence as a Curvy Woman Mimi emphasizes how representation and visibility help break barriers, empowering women of diverse body types to embrace their surfing abilities. * "People don't realize it takes curvy women—we're the real goats in surfing." * Confronting Microaggressions and Surf Etiquette Mimi discusses the frequent microaggressions faced in predominantly white surf spaces and how she strategically addresses these challenges head-on. * "Sometimes you have to call it out immediately to regain your space and respect." * Building Community & Cultural Representation in Surfing Mimi reflects on her efforts to foster community among surfers of color, highlighting the importance of feeling safe, seen, and supported in the water. Guest Resources * Follow Mimi on Instagram : @shesurfmimi Show resources * Join our global women’s surf community — The Surf Société — and start your free 7-day trial today. 🔗 Click here to join now [https://community.surfsociete.com/invitation?code=68JB23] * Or learn more first → The Surf Société overview [https://surfsociete.com/] * Follow us your host Laura Day: @confessionsofasurflady [https://instagram.com/confessionsofasurflady] * Follow The Surf Société: @surfsociete [https://instagram.com/surfsociete] for surf lady tips from #thesurflab inside the membership: How to Support the Podcast: 1. 💙 Support our sponsors – They help keep this show going! 2. 🛍️ Shop at shop.surfsociete.com [https://shop.surfsociete.com/] – Support women-centered surfwear and community. 3. ⭐ Leave a Review – It helps more women find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 4. 📲 Share this episode – Send it to a surf sister who needs to hear this. 5. 🌊 Join Surf Société – Come learn and surf better inside a powerful, like-minded women's community. Send me a Message! Be sure to leave your contact info. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/769034/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://shop.surfsociete.com] Confessions of a Surf Lady, women's surfing podcast, is supported by The Surf Société [https://surfsociete.com/join], our unique digital women's surfing platform where we come together to Learn More. Surf Better. Live Happy. Learn more at Surfsociete.com

72. Surfing Siargao with Respect: Filipino Culture, Community, & the Local Lineup

What if the thing you were seeking all along was right in your own backyard? Elaine Abonal was an exchange student in Florida when she first saw surfing—and something inside her lit up. But it wasn’t until she returned to the Philippines and realized there were waves in her own country that everything changed. In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady: The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™, Elaine shares how her surf journey started by breaking cultural expectations and carving out a new path in the Philippine surf scene. As a Filipina surfer, community builder, and entrepreneur, she’s created something truly powerful: a space where people feel welcome, safe, and inspired to surf. We talk about her experience originally being one of the few women in the water in Siargao, what it's like to build surf culture from the ground up, and why inclusion—especially in the global surf conversation—has to come from people who live and breathe the culture every day. Main Themes: 🌍 Surfing as a Cultural Awakening > “I thought I had to go far away to learn to surf. I didn’t realize the waves were in my own country.” – Elaine Abonal 💪 Creating Safe Spaces in the Lineup > From guiding tourists to teaching locals, Elaine opens up about her mission to make surfing feel welcoming—especially for women in the Philippines. 🏄🏽 Representation in Surf Culture > Why it matters that the face of surfing includes Filipina surfers, and how surf media often misses the real stories from local communities. 🌀 Surfing as a Mirror for Growth > We explore how surfing helped Elaine confront fear, trust herself, and return to joy—even through life’s personal and professional challenges. Resources: * Follow Elaine on Instagram: @elaineabonal [https://www.instagram.com/elaineabonal] Learn about Surfista Travels: surfistatravels.com [https://surfistatravels.com] * Join our global women’s surf community — The Surf Société — and start your free 7-day trial today. 🔗 Click here to join now [https://community.surfsociete.com/invitation?code=68JB23] * Or learn more first → The Surf Société overview [https://surfsociete.com/] * Shop Dip and get 15% OFF [http://dipalready.com/CONFESSIONSOFASURFLADY] with the code "confessionsofasurflady [http://dipalready.com/CONFESSIONSOFASURFLADY]" at checkout at Dipalready.com [https://dipalready.com/discount/confessions] * The Surfing Copywriter: Learn more about his work at www.thesurfingcopywriter.com [https://www.thesurfingcopywriter.com/]. How to Support the Podcast: 1. 💙 Support our sponsors – They help keep this show going! 2. 🛍️ Shop at shop.surfsociete.com [https://shop.surfsociete.com/] – Support women-centered surfwear and community. 3. ⭐ Leave a Review – It helps more women find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 4. 📲 Share this episode – Send it to a surf sister who needs to hear this. 5. 🌊 Join Surf Société – Come learn and surf better inside a powerful, like-minded women's community. Send me a Message! Be sure to leave your contact info. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/769034/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://shop.surfsociete.com] Confessions of a Surf Lady, women's surfing podcast, is supported by The Surf Société [https://surfsociete.com/join], our unique digital women's surfing platform where we come together to Learn More. Surf Better. Live Happy. Learn more at Surfsociete.com