SeaSisters Sri Lanka / South Coast, Sri Lanka / 2018-2020
Surf. Inspire. Empower.
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In 2018, I discovered surfing in Sri Lanka. One of the first things I noticed was that the line-up was full of foreigners and local men, but the local women were absent. I extended my stay and became immersed in the local community, gaining an understanding of how cultural and societal expectations limit the role of most local women to stay within the household. Activities and spaces outside the house, including the sea, were largely off limits.
I decided to leverage my background in international development to support the local women. In November 2018, together with a friend, Martina Burtscher, I co-founded SeaSisters Sri Lanka, a social enterprise that creates a safe space for Sri Lankan girls and women to enjoy the ocean and influence mindsets around gender norms. We established a weekly Swim & Surf Program and since, have taught 50+ local girls and women, ages 9 to 52, how to swim and surf. They’ve overcome fears, challenged themselves and fostered deeper connections to the environment along the way.
SeaSisters was funded on the core belief that the ocean is for everyone, and that it can serve as a powerful tool of change; improving mental and physical health, increasing confidence, creating joy, and opening economic opportunities for local women to participate in Sri Lanka’s surf tourism sector. We also believe that connecting with nature cultivates a deeper appreciation of the environment, leading to more mindful, sustainable practices in caring for it.
Below is a collection of my photography from our SeaSisters Swim & Surf Program. It’s been such a joy capturing the emotions and experiences of our girls as they connect with the sea, each other and themselves.
