Girls who surf - Lisette

Where do you usually surf?
Gold Coast

How did you get into surfing?
Growing up in Newcastle, a surfing mecca, it was a part of life.

Why did you start surfing?
I wanted to be the next Layne Beachley! But I was too intimidated by the men in the water. Then, moving to Melbourne at 18, there was no surf nearby. For 15 years, I barely surfed. In 2022, I picked it up again, and now I can’t imagine life without it.

What was your biggest fear when you started?
Not being good enough. But everyone has to start somewhere!

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to other surfer girls?
Surf as much as you can. If you can’t get in the water, train for it, swim, surf skate, practice pop-ups, and learn to read the waves!

Tell us a funny, embarrassing, or inspiring surf story!
In 2022, after the pandemic, I wanted an outlet for stress. I found Urbnsurf Melbourne and convinced my friend Xani to join a learn to surf class. That afternoon, the park hosted Girls Go Urbnsurf, a women's surf event with a full lagoon takeover. The energy was pure joy. I had never been in an all-female lineup before! We were strangers of different ages, races, and cultures, yet the waves made us a community, a force to be reckoned with in the water!