How to make surfing friends–Abby's story

This is Abby’s story. But before we start, I just want to say: thank you, Abby, for being part of Girls Who Can’t Surf Good. The girls make it—I’m just the janitor. A lousy janitor too, because Abby shared this story with me a while ago—and I lost it. Like, totally misplaced and forgot about it. Sorry, Abby!

👋 Hiii, my name is Abby

I posted this story in December last year, and since then I have been overseas and returned home due to an injury—an injury that has prevented me from surfing for 3 months so far, and possibly for 3 more.

I don’t use Facebook much, only for groups. And YOUR group is my absolute favorite. It helps with my motivation to recover and heal to get back into my surfing. I just wanted to thank you—thank you SO MUCH. I just subscribed to your newsletter and cannot wait to read them all. 

In case you missed my story, I wanted to send it to you so you know what your page has done for me.

🌊 It all started with one post

Last year, a girl posted in the group about creating a group chat for all girls in her area who were also learning to surf so we could meet up and make friends. I live over an hour away from the location, but I would happily drive to be part of something so beautiful.

I joined the group chat and told them all about me and where I lived (which is also near some beautiful surf beaches). I got a private message from a girl who lived 10 minutes away from me, and she was at my exact level of surfing too.

One morning we met and checked the surf. It was flat. So we walked and talked. It took well over a month of so many early morning surf checks before we caught our first waves together.

🏄‍♀️ Surfing through seasons

We surfed all through the seasons of this year and even went on our first surf trip together—surfing point breaks with more confidence than ever before. We were usually the only two girls in the water, usually with the lowest surfing ability, but we always seemed to be having the most fun. I think everyone could hear us squealing from a mile away, especially when a party wave was caught.

We’re now friends with all the morning surf crew, who are all 50+ year old men who have encouraged us all along the way.

On the mornings where there was no surf, we walked the beaches and talked about absolutely anything and everything. We held each other through the rough breakups we were going through—with words, coffee, and the sea. Safe to say, I’ve made a forever friend.

I am so incredibly grateful for this group and all the encouragement and advice. Thank you, thank you.

🌍 Looking ahead: A one-way ticket

One morning, as we walked along the beach, she told me about how she volunteered her way through some countries and got to surf and make friends—all by herself. Could I do that?

She mentioned Sri Lanka, and I was sold. I’ll start there. She’ll join me, and we’ll celebrate my birthday together and probably catch the best waves ever. Then she’ll go home, and I will keep going.

So in 5 weeks, I hop on a one-way flight and will be volunteering my way through countries—surfing, learning, connecting, and who knows what else.

I’ve never had a friend who shares the same passion in the same sport as me. Everything revolves around surfing, and we always leave the sea so happy.

We have both progressed so much—it’s incredible. My life has truly changed forever from one simple post.

This is a sign to anyone: don’t give up. Connect. Try and try again. Keep believing in yourself.

I’ve been surfing for 4 years but was never able to go out by myself due to my mental health and anxiety—feeling not worthy and so out of place. Now I can happily surf small fun breaks all by myself.

And now I can do anything.

Also, to extend an invite to the east coast of Australia—if you’re ever here, I’d love to surf with you.