Surfs up for the ladies
The vast majority of Aussies have grown up on or near the coast, so it's no surprise that surfing remains a big part of our culture.
But for the girls, it can sometimes feel like an episode of Puberty Blues, where we end up sitting on the beach, minding the towels and tanning our boyfriend's name into our skin.
Perhaps that's a tad dramatic, but you get the idea. Girls want to learn how to surf just as much as the boys but historically have had fewer opportunities to jump on a board and give it a go.
She Surfs is the latest product from She Travels. Its tours whisk women away on Surf & Stay trips to Bali in groups of no more than eight, weaving epic surf sessions into an itinerary of luxury.
Now, if you sign up to these surfing safaris thinking you'll meet some hunky surf instructor with a body like Kelly Slater, you risk being disappointed. These trips are strictly for the ladies, and picking up a new beau is not the priority.
This goes for the gents too, who might have visions of being the only male in a pack of bikini-clad women, running Baywatch-style down the beach.
As director of She Travels Suzanne Hart explains, these holidays are about learning new skills and making new friends.
"There's a lot of laughter, sharing of stories, and instant friendships are forged," Hart said.
And following its success since launching at the start of the year, it seems this is just the kind of challenging and rewarding getaway women are looking for.
"Most would never have thought they could actually stand on a surfboard, let alone be riding a wave," Hart said, citing these achievements as the source of a new-found confidence each lady takes home.
The Surf & Stay trips are based in a private villa resort in the heart of cosmopolitan Seminyak, with tropical gardens and private swimming pools. Travellers escape the city chaos in their private, air-conditioned room, with She Travels offering single accommodation only, with no supplement.
The seven-day trip is guided by an Australian host from She Travels, and surf sessions with a local instructor take place every day.
Massages, yoga classes, day spas and a tour of the island's east coast are all included, giving these trips a luxe element to balance out the intense surfing schedule.
"For many, it's a life-changing experience; conquering fears of the ocean, stepping outside their comfort zone, and enjoying the exhilaration that comes from trying something new," Hart said.
"I learned to surf last year and I've never looked back. It's addictive."
A combination of private dining and evenings out in Bali completes this ladies retreat, and you can enjoy every minute of it, knowing you've burnt off plenty of calories carving up the surf.
And with four local instructors for every eight guests, it's a personalised instruction that, according to Hart, has every woman standing on a surfboard in her very first lesson.
She Surfs gives the girls a chance to take on the waves and have a go, taking you from grommet to Gidget before the week is out.
Visit www.shetravels.net.au to find out more.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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