There were no waves at the Scarborough Bluffs on July 26th. However, frigid splash added the excitement to their surf lesson as about 50 girls hit the lake with their colourful boards.
She Shreds, a six-hour beach event by Surf The Greats, aimed at diversifying surfing community through introducing women to some beautiful surf and yoga techniques.
“I think surfing has been historically male dominated, but we have a lot of women of all ages surfing on the Great Lakes,” said Surf The Greats’ owner Antonio Lennert. “We’ll do everything we can to empower them to get out there and shred the waves.”
When they arrived at the colourful shop/café in Leslieville, the girls wore Hawaiian garlands around their necks. They met their instructors and shared their surf experience with each other over freshly brewed coffee from Brothers. Vegan waffles with coconut whipped cream from VANS Canada invigorated the guests before their surf journey.
Isla Gurtins leads the girls on their surf trip.
Most of the girls said they have surfed once in their lives.
“It was about a year ago in B.C.,” said Jocelyn Kocal, who came to Surf The Greats’ event for the first time. “I definitely don’t remember all techniques.”
A few have surfed in different parts of the world and came to the event to keep their skills up-to-date.
“I’ve surfed in warm water, mostly in Hawaii, and Portugal was my first cold water experience,” said Kasia Trzaski Kopytek, who has done beginner surf lessons and wave forecasting workshop with Surf The Greats. “I find that every time you do it [a surf lesson], you learn something new.”
With the playfulness and foretaste of magic, everyone got on a school bus with a friendly driver, who was making sure everyone liked the music he played during the trip.
The Scarborough Bluffs welcomed the group with the clear sky and sun spangles on quiet water. Even those who carried heavy surfboards in their arms were forced to smile under the shining sun. Others prefered to hide from the heat and carry the boards on top of their heads.
Surf The Greats’ crew set up a beach bar with fruits, guacamole, energy bars, kombucha and other healthy snacks and drinks. Somebody turned the music on and blew up balloons shaped like a dolphin and palm tree, which created a relaxing tropical atmosphere.
Surf lessons by Surf The Greats’ instructors Lennert and Elie Landesberg started with introduction to the history of surfing, difference between ocean and lake surfing and water safety.
Then Jenifer Rudski and Marcela Avola Lopez joined them in teaching surfing techniques on the sand. Both women are currently preparing for their trip to Costa Rica to receive the ISA (International Surfing Association) certification, so that they can teach surfing on their own.
“Men are usually overly confident [in surfing], but women have more patience,” said Rudski, who owns osha sha, a stand up paddle boarding company in Toronto. She said she believes that surfing in a safe and friendly environment can inspire women to feel their deep connection to water.
“When you create a space for women to come together, it’s really empowering, supportive and encouraging,” she said. “I’m a First Nation, so in my culture, as women, we carry this certain responsibility to protect the water.”
The girls practiced their push-ups, pop-ups, turns and even cross steps and learned how to carry the surfboard. Then they headed towards the lake.
All exclaimed once cold water hit their bodies. However, the harder they paddled, the warmer they felt. And a surf-inspired partner competition that included strapping the leash around an ankle, running with the board and paddling,- warmed everyone up.
“When you paddle a lot your arms get tired for sure,” said Kocal right after the relay. “But it was good. I feel like I’m getting there [into surfing].”
Tidal Flow, a surf-inspired beach yoga class by Rudski, helped everyone calm down their breath and stretch out their bodies after the surf session.
On the way back, the girls were sharing their surf dreams and impressions of the event with their new adventurous female friends.
“I might be going to Portugal,” said Kocal. “I’ll try to find a spot to surf anywhere I go.”
Strong winds usually bring bigger waves to the Great Lakes in the late September, and local surfing community is excited about upcoming surfing sessions. So are the girls.
“I want to get better and better each time,” said Trzaski Kopytek. “Surfing for women is still on the grassroots stage in Ontario, so I think events like this are very important because they bring people together and show them that it’s more accessible than somebody might think.”
Photos by Sveta Soloveva
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