Sister Sessions: a lake takeover for women-only surfing
On Sunday 28th June, we handed the lake over for the afternoon for Sister Sessions – a women-only surf takeover with a full programme running alongside the waves.
At the centre of the day were two surf confidence workshops, run by Danni Unway – a Surf Confidence Coach and Psychotherapeutic Counsellor – and supported by Surf Girl Mag. The hour-long sessions guided participants through managing anxiety, processing scary incidents and working through mental blocks, using tools including present-moment awareness, positive visualisation, breathing exercises, self-compassion and gentle goal setting. Places were offered free to anyone surfing on Sister Sessions, against an RRP of £30, and both sessions were fully booked.
Beyond the water, the afternoon included:
- A live DJ set with DJ She Said Yes and Red Bull
- Yoga classes
- Surfskate lessons with Soulful Skate Co
- A surfboard demo with Torq, giving surfers the chance to try the latest Torq boards during their session
- Exclusive offers in the shop
What stood out most was the atmosphere in the water. Surfers cheered each other on between waves, and the lake had the feel of a shared occasion rather than a series of individual sessions. A number of women came along on their own and left having met others who share the same love of surfing – feedback we heard directly from Bristol Girls Surf Club, several of whose members used the day to connect with new people. It's a reminder of why we run Sister Sessions in the first place: surfing is better shared, and a day like this creates space for that to happen.
The reviews are in:
"Visited on Sunday for an Improver lesson at the Sister Sessions. What an incredible day. The coaches and other women were so supportive and encouraging. Everyone lifted each other up. The atmosphere was lush! Great DJ, hearty food. Cannot recommend more highly. Thank you to all of the staff at The Wave for a perfect day. I will be back soon!" 5 Stars, Emma, on Google
Look out for the next one
Sister Sessions returns in September (exact dates to be confirmed), with more of the same planned. Sign up to our newsletter or follow us on Instagram to be first to know when dates and booking go live.
