Why Byron Bay Is the Perfect Place to join a women's surf retreat

There is a feeling you get when you arrive in Byron Bay. It is not loud or dramatic. It is quiet. Subtle. Like your body exhales before your mind catches up.

Shoes come off. Time stretches. The ocean is right there, doing what it has always done. That is why Byron Bay feels like the right place for a Sea Her Rise retreat. It lets you slow down without trying.

Byron Bay has always drawn surfers, creatives and people moving through change. The beaches feel open and forgiving. The energy is calm but alive. For women stepping into a new season of life, that balance matters more than we realise.

A surf retreat that feels easy, not overwhelming

When you arrive at a Sea Her Rise retreat in Byron Bay, nothing feels rushed. There is no pressure to be anywhere or anyone other than yourself. Everything is taken care of so you can settle in, unpack and ease into the experience.

We stay in a peaceful shared space where rest actually happens. Meals are nourishing and relaxed, shared around the table, where conversations unfold naturally. Surf sessions are guided and supportive, with time to warm up, paddle out gently and surf in a way that suits your body on the day.

There is room for movement and stillness. Yoga and mobility sessions for those who want them. Quiet moments with a coffee by the sea. Space to stretch, float, laugh or simply sit and watch the waves.

Surfing with women who get it

What really makes a Byron Bay surf retreat special is the women who gather here. Surfing alongside women in a similar stage of life changes the whole experience. The nerves soften. Confidence grows. Comparison fades.

There is no proving anything. Some sessions are full of energy and laughter. Others are slower, thoughtful and reflective. Both are part of the journey. You are supported whether you are catching waves or just finding your rhythm again.

That sense of community is at the heart of Sea Her Rise. It is not about performance or progression. It is about feeling safe, supported and seen in the water.

Nature, comfort and space to breathe

Byron Bay offers something rare. You are surrounded by ocean, hinterland and fresh air, yet still held by comfort and ease. You can surf in the morning, rest in the afternoon and wander into town without feeling overstimulated.

It is a place that gently pulls you back into your body. Back into your breath. Back into the part of you that still feels the pull of the sea, even if life has been busy or complicated for a while.

A Sea Her Rise retreat in Byron Bay is not about escaping your life. It is about reconnecting with yourself inside it. Surfing is part of that, but so is rest, conversation, laughter and feeling held by a community of women who understand where you are at.

If Byron Bay has been calling you, or if you are ready to share the ocean with women who truly get it, you can explore our upcoming Sea Her Rise retreats and see if one feels right. There is no pressure. Just an invitation.

You’re not to old to come back to surfing

One of the most common things I hear from women is this. I used to surf but life got busy. I feel nervous paddling out now. I do not feel like I fit anymore.

If that sounds familiar, I want you to know something. You are not too late. You are right on time.

Returning to surfing later in life looks different for everyone. For some, it starts with a short paddle and a few deep breaths. For others, it means sitting on a board and letting the ocean hold you. There is no correct way to come back.

Just having a chat in the surf can feel good!

What often holds women back is not ability. It is confidence. It is fear of judgement. It is the feeling of being the odd one out in the lineup.

That is exactly why women surf retreats and surf community days exist at Sea Her Rise. We create safe, supportive surf environments where women can return to surfing at their own pace, surrounded by others who understand the nerves and the joy that come with it.

You do not have to be fit. You do not have to be fearless. You just have to feel the pull of the ocean.

Surfing is not something you grow out of. It is something you grow back into.

Gentle ways to return to surfing

• Start with smaller days and softer waves
• Surf with people who feel safe and encouraging
• Let go of how you think you should surf
• Give yourself permission to take breaks
• Celebrate simply being in the water

If part of you has been missing the ocean, that feeling is worth listening to.
Sea Her Rise offers surf community days and surf retreats for women returning to surfing or finding their way back after a break.

You can take a look at what is coming up and join us when the timing feels right for you.

Surfing’s Mental Health Benefits

There is a reason I always come back to the ocean, even when life feels full or messy or overwhelming. Surfing gives me something I cannot find anywhere else.

The moment I paddle out, my nervous system settles. The noise quiets. My breath slows down without me trying. The ocean asks for my attention in a way that gently pulls me out of my head and back into my body.

Surfing is not always graceful. Some days I barely stand up. Some days I spend more time sitting on my board than riding waves. But even then, something shifts. I feel grounded. Reset. More myself.

For many women, especially in midlife, surfing becomes less about chasing waves and more about caring for mental health. It is movement without punishment. It is time without expectation. It is space where nothing else is required of you.

Being in salt water, feeling the sun on your skin, moving with the rhythm of the ocean, it does something deep. It reminds you that you are part of something steady and strong, even when everything else feels uncertain.

This is why surfing is not just exercise. It is a form of emotional care.

Ways to use surfing as support for mental health

• Go into the session without goals
• Let rest be part of the surf
• Choose conditions that feel kind to your body
• Focus on breath and rhythm rather than waves caught
• Notice how you feel after, not how you performed

If surfing has ever felt like your reset button, this is your reminder to lean into it.
At Sea Her Rise, we create space for women to surf without pressure and reconnect with the ocean in a way that feels nourishing rather than demanding.

You can learn more about our surf retreats and community days and decide what feels supportive for you right now.

Surfing with dolphins is a calming experience for anyone! You can’t help but be happier after this.

What Really Builds Surf Community as You Get Older

What builds a surf community over time? As we move through our thirties, forties and beyond, something quietly shifts. Life fills up. Work, family, relationships and responsibility start taking center stage. Somewhere along the way, the simple joy of paddling out can slip to the bottom of the list.

For a lot of women, it is not that the love of surfing disappears. It is that the support around it does. Friends stop surfing. Confidence fades. The lineup starts to feel louder and less welcoming. Going alone suddenly feels harder than it used to.

That is where surf community becomes everything.

Surfing with other women changes the experience completely. You show up more often because someone is expecting you. You paddle out with less fear because you are not alone. You laugh more. You rest more. You stop apologising for taking your time.

A surf community for women is not about performance or progression. It is about belonging. It is about knowing there are other women navigating the same stage of life, feeling the same nerves, and still choosing to get in the water.

At Sea Her Rise, our surf community is built around connection first. We bring women together in Byron Bay and beyond to surf, talk, float, laugh and support each other. No pressure. No proving. Just women showing up for themselves and each other.

Because as we get older, community is not a luxury. It is essential.

What helps build surf community as you get older

• Surf with people who make you feel relaxed, not rushed
• Choose connection over comparison
• Show up even on the days you do not feel confident
• Let yourself be supported in the water
• Remember that belonging matters more than ability

If you have been craving this kind of surf community, you are not alone.
Sea Her Rise runs regular surf community days and meet ups designed for women who want to surf alongside others who truly get it.

You can explore our upcoming surf days and gatherings here and see if one feels right for you.

Surfing Through Perimenopause: Finding Strength, Calm and Joy in the Waves

There’s a moment in life when your body starts to shift in ways that can feel confusing, confronting and at times exhausting. Hormones fluctuate, sleep disappears, moods change and the body you’ve known for decades starts to move differently. Welcome to perimenopause, the long and often misunderstood chapter before menopause officially begins.

But here’s the beautiful part. This change doesn’t have to mean slowing down or stepping back. For many of us, it’s actually a time to rise, and the ocean can be one of the most healing places to do it.

The ocean doesn’t care about your age

When you paddle out, the ocean meets you exactly as you are. It doesn’t care how old you are, what size you are, or whether you’re having a hot flush or a low day. It just asks that you show up. The rhythm of the waves, the salt on your skin and the steady pull of the tides all bring you back to yourself in a way that nothing else quite can.

Surfing reminds us that we are strong, adaptable and capable of moving through change. Some days the waves are messy and unpredictable, a lot like hormones, but learning to ride them builds a kind of quiet confidence that seeps into every part of life.

Movement, balance and flow

Perimenopause can come with stiffness, joint pain and fatigue, but movement is one of the most powerful ways to ease those symptoms. Surfing gets your body moving in a way that feels playful and alive. It’s full-body exercise without feeling like a workout. You’re just out there, having fun, breathing fresh air and feeling free.

Connection and support

This stage of life can also feel lonely, especially if people around you don’t really talk about what’s happening. That’s why surfing with other women makes such a difference. There’s something special about paddling out with people who get it, who laugh about the same things, share the same challenges and lift each other up when the waves, and life, get rough.

A new kind of strength

Perimenopause isn’t the end of your youth, it’s the start of a new kind of power. It’s a reminder that we’re constantly evolving, that we can soften and still be strong, that we can rest and still rise.

When you stand up on a wave, even for a few seconds, you remember who you are beneath all the noise. You remember that you are capable, resilient and free.

So if your body’s changing and you’re feeling a bit lost, go to the sea. Let the saltwater hold you, the waves challenge you and the sunshine remind you that this season of life is still full of joy, laughter and adventure.

Because surfing isn’t just for the young, it’s for the wild, wise women too. 🌊💙

Surfing as we get older

There is something magical about being in the ocean, just you and your board, moving with the rhythm of the waves. But there is also something deeply special about turning your head, seeing another woman smiling back at you from the lineup, and knowing she understands.

In midlife, we often find ourselves craving that kind of connection again, the real, easy kind that comes from being with people who get where you are. Life gets full. We care for others, juggle work, family and responsibilities, and somewhere along the way we stop doing things that are just for us. Surfing can bring that spark back, but finding a group of women to share it with can make all the difference.

You don’t have to surf alone

For many women, the idea of paddling out alone can feel intimidating. The surf lineup can still seem like a young person’s space, full of confident energy and unspoken rules. But when you paddle out with women who share your rhythm and your outlook, that all shifts. The pressure disappears. You feel supported, encouraged and seen.

Surfing with other women creates an environment where you can laugh when you miss a wave, cheer when someone else catches one and feel completely comfortable being yourself. You don’t have to prove anything. You just get to enjoy being in the water together.

The confidence of community

There is power in being surrounded by women who remind you that strength, grace and adventure do not fade with age. When you surf together, you share stories, swap tips and build each other up. You start to see the ocean and yourself in a softer, more joyful way.

Midlife can bring big shifts, physically, emotionally and mentally. Having a surf tribe that lifts you up during that time can help you navigate it with more ease. These friendships often grow beyond the beach too, bringing more laughter, courage and connection into everyday life.

A reminder of who you are

Surfing with other women is not just about the waves. It is about belonging. It is about finding people who see the same beauty in slowing down, who celebrate every little win and who know that a shared sunrise paddle or a coffee after a surf can fill your cup in ways nothing else can.

So if you have been surfing alone, or sitting on the sand wishing you had someone to paddle out with, consider this your sign. Find your surf sisters. They are out there, ready to cheer you on, share a few laughs and remind you that you are never too old, too late or too new to rise. 🌊💙

Surfing Lombok: Travelling Light and Letting Go of Expectations

There is something liberating about booking a surf trip later in life. You know what you love, what you need, and what you can live without. When I packed for Lombok, I made a conscious decision to travel light, no board bag, no excess luggage, just a few pairs of swimmers and an open mind.

After years of hauling boards through airports and worrying about dings, I decided to rent once I arrived. It was the best decision I could have made. The surf shops in Lombok are full of great boards, and the surf shops are more than happy to help you find something that suits your style. Within an hour of landing, I had a fun mid-length under my arm!

Freedom in simplicity

Travelling light changes the whole rhythm of a surf trip. You move easier, think less, and flow more. There’s no stress about baggage limits or waiting at the carousel hoping your board made it. You just arrive, breathe, and let the island show you what it has to offer.

Lombok has a slower pace than Bali. The beaches are quieter, the water is impossibly blue, and the waves suit every level. From the mellow rollers of Selong Belanak to the long, glassy walls at Gerupuk, there’s something for everyone.

Confidence in the unknown

Travelling solo or with a few close friends in midlife feels different to those trips you might have taken years ago. There’s a deeper appreciation for each moment, and a new kind of confidence that comes from experience. You don’t need to chase every set wave or prove anything to anyone. You just want to enjoy being out there, moving, floating, breathing, feeling alive.

Renting boards also gives you the freedom to try something new. I swapped between a 7’2 funboard and a single-fin longboard, and each session taught me something different. Without the pressure of my own board, I found myself more open, more playful, and a little less serious about it all.

Surfing for the joy of it

Travelling to surf as an older woman is not about chasing the biggest waves or perfecting your cutback. It’s about reconnecting with what surfing gives you, peace, perspective, and that childlike joy that bubbles up when you catch a good one and can’t stop smiling.

If you’ve been dreaming of a surf trip but hesitating because of the logistics, do it. Book the ticket, travel light, rent a board and trust that everything you need will be waiting for you when you get there.

Because at this stage of life, surfing isn’t about proving your strength. It’s about celebrating it. 🌴💙

Staying Surf Fit on Land in Midlife

Surfing in midlife is one of the best gifts you can give yourself, but let’s be honest, our bodies don’t bounce back quite the way they used to. The pop ups feel a little slower, paddling can burn the shoulders quicker than expected and some days the flexibility just isn’t… flexing.

The good news? You don’t need to live at the gym or train like a pro surfer. A few simple things done consistently on land can make a massive difference when you paddle out.

Keep your shoulders and upper back strong

Most of surfing is paddling — but you already know that. What surprises a lot of women is how much shoulder strength and upper back mobility help with comfort and stamina in the water.

You don’t need heavy weights for this. A couple of resistance bands and a bit of floor space can go a long way. Think rows, pull aparts, gentle mobility flows and anything that opens your chest after hours of sitting, driving or working.

A strong back makes paddling feel smoother and keeps you from feeling wrecked after a session.

Train your pop up without smashing your wrists

The pop up is one of the first things to go when we get inconsistent with surfing. Practising it cold on the lounge room floor can feel awkward and a bit silly, but it really does help keep the movement familiar.

Try slow, controlled pop ups that focus on technique rather than speed. Use your core. Keep the movement light on your wrists. You’re not trying to win the Olympics, you’re just keeping your body connected to the motion.

Mobility matters… a lot

We don’t need to twist like pretzels, but we do need to stay loose enough to move with the wave.

Simple daily mobility — hip circles, gentle spinal rotations, ankle rolls, neck and shoulder stretches — keeps you feeling freer in the water. Five minutes a day can genuinely change the way your body feels when you take off.

Build a little leg and core strength

You don’t need heavy squats or fancy workouts. Walking hills, yoga, Pilates, bodyweight lunges, light strength training, it all translates beautifully to surfing.

Strong legs help with balance and stability
A strong core helps with everything

And the best part? You don’t need to train for long. Short, consistent sessions work wonders.

Listen to your body more than your ego

One of the incredible things about surfing in midlife is that we are so much more aware of how our bodies feel. We notice what helps, what hurts and what we need to adjust.

Rest is part of staying surf fit. So is hydration. So is sleep. So is doing things at a pace that feels good instead of pushing through pain.

There’s no “getting left behind” at this age, you’re surfing for joy, not competition.

Stay connected to other women who get it

Surf fitness isn’t just physical; it’s also emotional. Feeling supported, encouraged and seen by other women makes staying active easier and more enjoyable.

When you surf with women around your age, you realise quickly:
You’re not the only one with tight hips.
You’re not the only one who needs a warm up now.
And you’re definitely not the only one who loves surfing but wants to feel stronger and more confident in the water.

Surfing in midlife isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about staying strong enough, mobile enough and confident enough to enjoy the ocean for decades to come. A little land training keeps you connected to that freedom, even on the days the surf isn’t cooperating.

If you want help staying surf fit, or you just want to meet other women who are surfing through midlife too, Sea Her Rise is here for you. Just reach out, or even better, come for a paddle with us..