Natalie Potter and Emily Versluys started their free surfing group, the Albert St Gang, as a way to give a little back to the community.
It started small, but now people are coming to ‘The Sunday session’ at Turners Beach from all over the region – Burnie, Devonport, Wilmot, Port Sorell and Deloraine.
A group of women in wetsuits, aged 20 to 69, grab their surfboards and walk from the backyard of a home on Albert Street to the ocean. For the next couple of hours they can focus on paddling, catching party waves and laughing.
Natalie and Emily are exploring bringing their idea into Tasmania’s school system, working with disabled surfers and veteran groups, and even launching “spa weekends” with yoga, meditation and a bit of surfing.
But they say the greatest reward is seeing women enjoy the free playground of the ocean, being in the moment and having fun.