Trip Report: 10 Day Girls Surf Coaching Trip

From Fear to Froth

My first trip to the Mentawais just shy of a year ago can really only be described as scary. I was terrified of the reef, of taking a set on the head, of navigating steep drops into crystal-clear water where you could literally see the reef below. I was surrounded by surfers much better than me and I frequently watched them have fun in waves that had me feeling like I was surfing for my damn life.

Back then, I was still getting comfortable on my 6'6" twin pin, trying to work up the courage to send it on bigger days. I had a lot of fear and self-doubt—both about the waves and about whether I even belonged in a place like that.

But over the past year, a lot has changed. I’ve stepped down to a 6'0" shortboard. I’ve learned how to move through fear instead of letting it stop me. The beginning of this second trip to the Mentawais was filled with much more desire and commitment to get the wave of my life, instead of anxiety about wipeouts.

 

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A Different Kind of Lineup

This time, I arrived in the Mentawais knowing what to expect—the reef, the power, the paddle-outs—and instead of fear, I felt fired up. My intention for this trip was well defined; I wanted to get pushed out of my comfort zone, surf my brains out, and get barreled.

The 10-day, all-girls surf coaching trip hosted by our coaches Elle & Tim (who I went on my first Mentawais boat trip with) I joined felt like the perfect place to start my six-week surf trip through Indonesia. Thirteen girls on a boat might sound like a recipe for drama to some (yes, a few guys literally asked us if we all fought the whole time), but I can honestly say that that was very far from the reality.

I won't ignore the fact that there are many girls trips that have gone sideways -- unspoken competition, weird personalities, anxious energy, or just different vibes that didn’t mesh. It's not always sunshine and hand holding. Perhaps since we got such good surf sessions that kept everyone happy and their moods were good. Or perhaps everyone really was on the same wavelength of wanting to lift each other up.

There was camaraderie, instead of intense competition. Instead of gossip, we shared sunscreen, snacks, and encouragement.

Regardless, it was the most inspiring surf lineup I’ve ever been part of. Watching the girls take off on waves that made my heart jump, I found myself thinking, I want to do that too.

Here’s a hill I’ll die on: it is so much more impactful as a female surfer to see another woman charging the wave you’re afraid of. That kind of visual proof rewires what you believe is possible.

And in typical Mentawais fashion, we didn't end that trip without getting beat up. I took a fin to the crotch. Another took a board to the head and had a unicorn bump. There were reef cuts, sore shoulders, and tears of frustration. But there were also belly laughs, late-night talks, and endless cheering from the water.

Every day we surfed 3 to 6 hours and reviewed footage of every session, thanks to Elle, Tim, and their amazing red camera.

And the conditions? Unreal. We scored multiple sessions where it was just our boat in the lineup, surfing playful, turquoise waves that were an absolute dream. Elle and Tim made sure we didn’t waste a second of it—constantly reminding us to chop chop like a little onion and get out there before the Mentawais switched moods. Because out here, she really does what she wants.

I got to watch myself improve in real time. I went from barely having a backside bottom turn to loving lefts—and even trying to go vertical by the end of the trip. Seeing that kind of progression happen in real time is addictive.

 

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The Dream Is Us

When the trip ended, I was surprised by how emotional I felt. Ten days isn’t long—but when you surf, eat, and laugh with the same group every single day, a special bond forms. And this one felt especially rare.

For the first time in my surf journey, I was part of a lineup made up entirely of women. It made me think of how different surfing must have been for the older women we met in the water—women who told us how refreshing it was to see our group. I wondered how many times they had surfed alone, the only girl in the lineup.

Being surrounded by women who were not only incredible surfers, but also business owners, creatives, adventurers—women who were bold and witty and unapologetically themselves—was a gift. I left feeling empowered, inspired, and deeply grateful.

Yes, I left with better technique and a new love for lefts—but what I cherish most from these kinds of trips is the connection. The sense of belonging. I live for those moments between surfs, just sitting on the boat, taking in the view, and talking about everything and nothing.

Who knows if I’ll ever cross paths with some of these women again. But that’s the thing about trips like this: sometimes life gives you these rare, golden windows—10 days of waves, laughter, and just pure fun—and then they end. And that’s okay. The magic is in the moment.

To share a lineup where everyone was lifting each other up instead of competing for scraps... where fear and courage lived side by side... where we surfed hard, took beatings, cheered each other on, drank too many beers, and watched the sunset together—it felt like something out of my younger self’s dreams.

This trip was truly special and I am grateful to have known every single one of those women.

All photos taken by the lovely Keana Rivet, who did so amazing at capturing the moments on this trip.