Yatule Resort, Natadola Beach

Fiji’s first ever female‐only surfing development day organized by the Fiji Surfing Association was held this weekend at Natadola Beach in perfect conditions.

The Girls Go Surfing weekend had a record of 50 participants–the oldest being 48 years old and youngest 10! The biggest contingent came from Suva, most of them arriving in a group bus. The girls came from Nadi, Sigatoka and the largest contingent from Suva travelling on a bus hired for occasion.

The Fiji Surfing Association also sponsored four teenage girls from Naveisabasaba Village. Fifteen trainers ran the surf lessons for groups which were split into beginner, intermediate and advanced categories.Under the palm trees, the girls were first given an introduction at the beach and then lead to practice in perfect beginner’s waves. For many girls it was the first experience on a surfboard.

“All participants did a great job”, Ratu Dovi Lalabalavu, one of the surf trainers, said. “We are amazed at how many hidden talents are out there and how fast the girls learnt in only two days!”.

Participants stayed in Yatule Beach Resort’s bures or camped in tents on the beach. The ladies and young girls were also treated to yoga classes led by the keen surfers Sirkka Killman and Alana Tilly.

On Saturday night after a lovo dinner everyone gathered around in the Yatule Resort dining hall to watch the cult classic girls’ surfing movie ‘Blue Crush’.

“It was such a great experience, my friends & I definitely want to continue surfing now!” said Tiarana Mitchell age 14, who is already anxiously waiting the next Girls Go Surfing weekend.