I overheard on the train today a little girl ask her parents whether there were women footballers. I silently pleaded that they'd say yes and that they explain how women can do anything they put their minds too. There were murmurs of 'I think so' but sadly they didn't deliver a rousing speech on gender equality.  

The whole incident got me thinking about women in sport and how under represented they are. Or when they are mentioned its in an overtly sexual way *cough cough I'm looking at you Roxy. 

Now the words 'Rap' and 'video girls' don't usually conjure ideas of empowerment but I have to share with you Trey Songz Na Na song. 

Scantily clad women check- But wait a minute. The girls are in gym clothes functional gym clothes and although these women have enviable bodies they are strong. The main girl has muscles and abs, but its what she does which makes me think this video is empowering. Trey Songz is led into a gym and they work out together, I mean this woman is incredible, she shows him how to do pull ups, she crunches, lifts weights, she does absolutely everything he can do but better. 

Whilst watching it with Mr Sunny (the boyfriend), I was actually speechless, I didn't talk for the whole duration. The video does later have a few little flirty rap video usuals but nothing which I felt contradicted the incredible feminine strength displayed in the song. Perhaps the big surf companies out there could get a few tips from the likes of Trey Songz and represent women in a way which accentuates their strength and capabilities. 

Type, 'Surfer girl' into google and the first thing you get is bikini models stood by surfboards. It makes me sad as a woman and as a surfer. Where are the photos of us ripping? (Ok well not technically me, but there are girls who rip)! 

I've been thinking a lot about body image and how I have finally reached a place of acceptance for my own curves and edges. I've always had problem skin and for a long time this dominated my thinking, blemishes on your face are near impossible to cover up so it was through taking control of my thinking that I began to accept myself for all that I am - spots and all! I do have a few tips for those of you afflicted with problem skin, or for wanting to reach optimum health, there's a few little things that you can do which can go a long way before you try drugs and all that stuff. 

1. DRINK A MAGICAL POTION 

There's this magic liquid you can drink that will clear your skin, energize you and stop you having headaches....It's called water and if you drink 8 glasses of it a day you'll notice a difference. I used to be really skeptical of this especially suffering from acne because everyone says it and it doesn't seem possible when nothing makes spots budge - but water - it works. It actually does work, your body collects toxins so if you flush them out you'll be making way for clear, unblemished skin. 

2. WASH YOUR FACE WITH TEA TREE 

With all the lotions and potions out there, picking a product suitable for treating problem skin can be something of a mine field. Having tested pretty much everything on the market I feel I have it on (fairly) good authority to suggest tea tree oil as a contender for battling blemishes. I love The Body Shops Creamy Tea Tree facial wash for £5. Morning and night it gets to business cleaning your face of dirt and impurities. 

3. LEMON JUICE IS YOUR SECRET WEAPON. 

A lovely Indian lady at work told me to do the following, squeeze fresh lemon and collect the juice, add a few teaspoons of warm water then apply to your face with cotton wool. Leave on for two minutes (or the time it takes you to brush your teeth), then rinse. This visibly reduces spots and redness. I cannot emphasize enough how great this little natural remedy is. Be careful to not leave it on too long as it does tingle a little and always test to check your not overly sensitive. 

4. EXERCISE 

Go surfing, run, do yoga. Just do something. Exercise makes you happy and makes your skin happy. Just try not to touch your face because you'll transfer bacteria and the sweat will help conjure a spot. 

5. SOD OFF SUGAR 

I hate to say this, really I do because sugar and I have a long running relationship, but sugar is bad for your skin. It exasperates spots and causes inflammation as well as spiking insulin levels and all that jazz. Its definitely a trigger for me and I notice after consuming a lot of sugar products my skin is a massive indication I've done so. I know Doctors say diet doesn't effect skin but if you load up on fruit and veg, cut out sugar, drink water etc you'll improve the skin underneath the spots and eventually clear things up.

6. LETS TALK MAKE UP 

If you wear make up (guilty) opt for foundations with salicylic acid in or even better don't wear foundation and opt for a light BB cream and use a tea tree concealer (a la Body Shop) to cover up blemishes. Scaling back the make up can help reduce spots and it doesn't mean you have to go bare faced either just opt for skin kind products. 

7. HELLO GORGEOUS.

Did you know that about yourself? Did you know that you are exquisite, that every single part of you from spots, muffin tops, cellulite, skinny hips, big butts, no ass, top lip mustaches, to hairy toes, is DROP DEAD GORGEOUS. Your unique and this is precisely what makes you beautiful. When you have a hang up about your body its easy to feel alone and think that you'll never be attractive to someone. This is ridiculous, you will always be someones cup of tea and you should start by thinking your bloody lovely first. 

We all fart, look silly when we have sex and have our gross moments, we're all human and natural so stop beating yourself up about not being perfect. 

Anywho..On that slightly crass note I'm going to go. Take care beautiful people! 

Stay strong, surf well 
Love

Janus.

Did you know that January was named so because of the Roman God Janus who possessed one head to look forwards and one head to look back. In terms of my surfing I can see that 2013 was very much a cut and paste kind of year, it was all about gluing the pieces back on and healing, which is funny because in some cultures the ocean is considered a mother and the waves are her arms rocking you. My surf future will be about processes, by which I mean trying to use every surf session as an opportunity to learn, not berating myself too much when I wipe out because failure is an important part of growth and using life outside of the water to complement my time in the water. 

Michelle Obama allegedly rises at 4.30am to have an hour or two for herself before anyone else rises. When it came to others needs she had the ability to get up any time of the day, but as an individual rarely did things for herself. Waking up early she uses that time to work out and affirms that it is the most productive time during her day.

Today I set my alarm early, I enjoyed a green tea and bowl of porridge then after an hour or so of relaxing did a forty minute yoga session. I've had an ongoing love affair with yoga that seems to rise and diminish in fervor. Today's postures reminded me how much the practice brings me back to myself and how much I relish time on my mat.  It comes as no surprise that there are many forms of Yoga programs designed for surfers as the two practices are massively intertwined. Merely being on your surfboard is a yoga posture (you are in constant cobra pose). I am a firm believer in mindfulness and the power of meditation, last year I let my tongue flap about my mouth too much and said some things which aren't some of my finest speeches. This year I want to learn from those mistakes and let go of damaging thoughts. Visualizing your time on your surfboard is a sure fire way of improving what you do in the water if only because it practices focus. I did Judy Tsui's 40 minute Yoga for surfers practice (see below). 




Yesterday I had a day off, one which wasn't filled with appointments or trying to catch up with people so I used the time to paint and listen to some inspiring women. Mainstream media has had a lot to say about Beyonce's recent visual album release, everything from her style, the new found aggression in her songs and the fact she did absolutely no promotion for its release. Long term followers of my blog will know I have a soft spot for Beyonce, but I don't put her on a pedestal its precisely her vulnerability which makes me admire her so much. She is the first to discuss her fears and the power of failure....she also happens to be a huge fan of the ocean. 

During my painting I sat listening to her explanations of her new concept album and the theme of imperfection. I was rapt and continue to be inspired by her. People assume she has an ego, but surely anyone to reach the heights she has needs a certain level of self confidence. In my opinion she's made songs for her husband, her daughter, addressing the people who've held her down and most importantly she's made an experience for her fans. She's reclaiming her body after having a baby and showing the world that you can embody all that being a woman entails, dreaming, love, children and still be you the individual. 

Watching the Beyonce videos lead me to the effervescing Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her speech on feminism. Her words exactly encompass my thoughts on feminism and she does so with humor and affection. I urge you to watch this whether you are female or male.   
                                                                













Another great source of joy is found in Pharell William's new song 'Happy' I listened to this on repeat for AN HOUR. A whole hour painting and enjoying this. Whatever comes first....marriage or death, I'm having this song play me out. Isn't it wonderful when you connect to something! 

Lastly I'd like to get you up to speed with the 'Message in a Bottle Manifesto,' my recent painting of late has all been in aid of the letters I'll be sending out to the brave souls who decided to take a risk. I'll be writing to a Cornish surfer, an American soldier and a local lad all of whom decided to try something wonderful by connecting through letter writing. If you want to receive a letter and maybe even some art off me too then please don't hesitate to get in touch sophia.cant.surf@gmail.com let's start a converation! 

Until next time, 

Stay strong and surf well 
Love 

Girls & Boys.

I love men and I believe it will be the combined efforts of both sexes which will alleviate gender inequalities. As a blog which documents female experiences in the realm of surfing I sometimes fail to emphasize the positive attitudes of the surfer guys around me. I'm lucky in that the men I encounter out in the ocean are supportive, inclusive and very much inspiring people. There is no 'us' and 'them' surfing, we are simply surfers in the ocean together. 

Feminism in 2013 (almost 2014 woowee)! Is a very convoluted subject with much confusion surrounding what it actually means to be a feminist. Lena Dunham best encapsulated what the term means to me when she said: 

'If you believe in equality, then you are a feminist.' 

Simple right! There's a really interesting article written about Lena by one of my favorite journalists Dawn O'Porter which you can check out here. 

The very nature of surfing can offer up some interesting feminist questions and I believe it is easy for both men and women to be exploited within the industry. For a sport which relies heavily on sponsorship it seems a sad truth that the athletes need to have the capacity to sell as much as the ability to surf. 

Having worked on projects in Africa and witnessed the attitudes towards women there I continue to be passionate about championing gender equality and ensuring women have an equal platform as men. Having both received unwanted and inappropriate actions towards myself and having had a family member attacked, I feel it is imperative we continue these conversations.  

Luckily there are men out there who believe this too and like emergent trees they dare to stand above the rest redefining masculinity and what it means to be a feminist. The wonderful open dialogues across the internet have allowed me to encounter these men and it would be an honor to share their inspiring words with you. 

Darnell Moore 

Darnell Moore interests me not only because of his public speaking on issues such as race, gender and sexuality but because of his inspiring work with youth. He is an intellectual vector bringing change to the previously invisible youth. I hope when I begin my 'Surf & The City' program I am able to draw strength from his vision to help shape the scope of my own. 
What. A. Man. 

Ted Endo from Epic TV. 


Having discussed at length the Roxy Pro advert it was Ted Endo's conversation on Epic TV which perfectly encompassed my views upon the matter. I literally applauded when he'd finished his speech, what a refreshing attitude to a very dull and tired subject of women being exploited in advertisement. 

Fivel Rothberg

As both a father, film maker and an activist Fivel uses narratives to help men understand the changes which need to occur in order for equality to flourish. Having been a victim of sexual harassment myself, I see Fivel's film (above) as an accessible but powerful instrument in changing attitudes. 

There are countless examples of men changing the face of feminism and for that I am eternally grateful, I feel that it will be a combined effort of women realizing their power and men understanding how to control theirs, which will result in a fairer more equal world. 
A lot of today's thoughts have been inspired by another world changer blogger Jamie Utt, his blog 'Change from Within' is a beautiful homily to gender, race and sexual equality and I strongly urge you to go read what he has to say, here's a ground shaker. 

Change from within. 

For me my power comes from being inspired by the emergent trees such as my beloved Marge Calhoun, Rell Sunn, Lauren Hill, and Easkey Britton who were and are empowered female surfers changing the face of the industry. 

Whatever your gender, age, race or creed remember that you are important, you matter and that your voice is powerful beyond reach. 

Stay strong, surf well 

Love always 
Sophia 

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