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Saltwater Sistas, an initiative in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, is set to introduce more Indigenous girls and women to surfing for free. The program focuses on water safety, cultural connection, environmental education and building confidence.
Rhiannon Mitchell, an Aboriginal of the Munujali people of Beaudesert, founded the initiative. Her vision was to create a safe, culturally appropriate space for young Aboriginal women to learn about ocean conservation, wellbeing and the importance of connecting with their environment. She runs one-on-one mentoring sessions and goal-setting activities to help them reach their aspirations. Having grown up swimming in rivers, climbing trees and exploring nature, Mitchell realized that many Aboriginal children hadn’t had the opportunity to experience the ocean as she did, which inspired her to create a program that integrates nature, culture and marine education.
Data shows that Indigenous women and girls in Australia continue to experience lower sports participation rates. Among First Nations, only 32% of women engaged in sport-related activities weekly. While surfing is a popular activity among Australian women, data on Indigenous participation isn’t readily available. This underrepresentation stems from various factors, such as cultural barriers, limited access and a lack of overall representation in the sport at the professional level. “In 15 years of coaching, I’ve only had one student from that demographic,” says Amee Donohoe, a Yuin woman and former top-five competitor on the World Surf League’s Championship Tour.
Saltwater Sistas helps First Nations girls aged 5 to 21 explore surfing and marine life. The initiative focuses on water safety but also places significant emphasis on helping girls connect with the ocean and their culture, fostering a community of like-minded young women. The program includes group beach clean-ups, mentoring, DIY (do-it-yourself) workshops, elder conversations and various activities that prioritize nature and culture alongside surfing lessons.
Eleven-year-old Natalia O’Leary, a Wiradjuri girl, is one of the many participants. “I thought I wouldn’t be any good or get too scared of the big waves,” she said. The program has a profound effect on the girls’ families, as well as the girls and young women themselves. Elisha O’Leary, the mother of Natalia and her sister Nalissa, expresses her pride in seeing her daughters grow in confidence and water skills, while also forming friendships that will last a lifetime.
Jaz McCorquodale, a Kamilaroi woman and champion of the Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles, believes programs like Saltwater Sistas can play a pivotal role in paving the way for more Indigenous women in competitive surfing and environmental conservation. “It’s refreshing to see more women in the surf. Growing up, I was usually the only girl out there,” she said. “Programs like this will help more Indigenous girls compete and, hopefully, stand on the winner’s podium.”
As Saltwater Sistas continues to grow, the hope is that the program will expand to more regions, allowing more young Indigenous women across Australia to gain access to surfing, mentorship and cultural education.
Sources: ABC News and Indigenous Business News
Photos: Saltwater Sistas
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