I recently attended, for the first time, in fact, a surf clinic exclusively for women. Conceived by surfer and journalist Claudinha Gonçalves, the meeting took place in Ubatuba two weeks ago.
For many years I was averse to the idea of surfing in a group, I kept in my mind the belief that surfing is individual, and just as I learned to surf alone, anyone can do the same. A small thought that makes me believe it’s nothing but a limiting belief.
Recently, there has been a flurry of women’s groups forming with the promise of teaching surfing. I think this is great, but I suspect the effectiveness of some, since many people without luggage are proposing to teach surfing, and that, in my view, is a problem.
Luggage and knowledge, however, is what Claudinha Gonçalves, a former competitor, surfer since she was a child and commentator on the world stages of the CT broadcast by Globo, is not lacking. She is the one who created the project and directs most of Coolture Life’s activities.
In the water in all surfing sessions, giving guidance and tips to the participants, the surfer also offers a true mentorship, during the analysis of the waves surfed.
The capture of the images takes place by video by the talented photographer and videomaker Camila Othon. The video analyzes performed by Claudinha are, therefore, without a doubt, the icing on the cake of the clinic made by women and for them.
boost of spirit and self-esteem
Surfing is among the most pleasurable things in life. However, at some point in a surfer’s trajectory, surfing can become frustrating.
Most surfers are stationed in a phase for many years, sometimes because they don’t test new equipment, sometimes because they don’t have adequate specific training.
In this sense, the surf clinic, Coolture Life is an injection of spirit and a lot of self-esteem, as it is possible to evolve in just three days of training, believe me!
Not to mention that it is through observing the diversity of each surfer that we discover our own beauty. After all, each body carries its charm, each surfer has their own way of behaving on the board, and that’s OK!
Representation, you beautiful!
I grew up watching surfing magazines where men surfed and women showed their asses. So seeing other women surfing allows another woman to identify herself immediately, and magic happens from there. Such representation is powerful!
New places, new life
Get out of the obvious, take a ride, meet a new wave, a different place. If that’s not the fun of life, what is?
Every surfer who gets stuck loves traveling in search of waves. In this edition of the surf clinic Coolture Life, in Ubatuba, it reminded me of how privileged we who live in this city are, as there is a different wave on each beach, which receives a certain swell. Ubatuba is the real surfing city!
widening the web
Surf clinics are excellent places to network. After all, we are a society based on interpersonal relationships. Therefore, meeting new people has always been the great high of life. We left with the promise of creating a zap group and bringing together the local women of Ubatuba for surfing sessions. I hope that sooner or later this group will emerge.
Chance to discover new equipment
Rare, if not no other female-only surf clinic offers a quiver of test drive boards. Testing new equipment is essential to evolve in surfing.
There was a beginner surfer who during the clinic was able to reduce the size of the board, this was the case of actress Débora Nascimento. “It’s been very beautiful, I found myself with a 7’2, which for me is a small board. It is an overcoming”, said Débora.
Yoga teacher Marina Athanas also tried out a new board “Just for that, it was worth being here”, says Athanas, who left the clinic with a new board.
Healthy eating
There is not always time to eat healthy. In the rush of everyday life, I end up making several concessions. At the surf clinic it was a real immersion into the world of natural vegetarian and vegan cuisine, in a delicious way! Commanded by the dear Berê Beantpal, from Cozinha Ser Viva, the breakfasts, lunches and dinners were simply divine moments!
Claudinha Gonçalves just for you
It’s not every day that you get the chance to receive valuable advice from an expert. At Coolture Life, the trajectory of Claudinha Gonçalves, which began at the age of 4 and which is still driven by surfing, is included in the video analysis sessions in a very special way. Just living to understand. Claudinha has humor, she has didactics, she has a way of doing what makes the Coolture show really unique.
New experiences
Do something new for the first time in your life. Throw yourself on an adventure. That’s what moves. It’s the new experiences that make life worth living.
Surf-specific physical training
Carla Giovanna is the coach and coach who has been following Claudinha for years. It is her responsibility to lead warm-up, relaxation and specific training sessions like the ones we had for breathing and apnea; in this edition I tried cryotherapy, but this deserves a text.
Participation of local athletes in each edition
Undoubtedly, the group would not be the same without the presence of local Moara Sanchez. Surfer, lifeguard and mermaid, Moara made it all worthwhile, cubed. And in each edition Coolture Life brings a local, who knows the waves of each destination like no one else!
Rescue
There were many emotions experienced. I, who suffer from low self-esteem and imposter syndrome, came out of the experience feeling alive, light. I rescued part of me that with motherhood was left aside. Surf clinics are also an excellent opportunity to rescue things that, for different reasons, end up getting lost.
Hearing from newbies that I am an inspiration and from experienced ones that the blog is a source of research, made me think about my dreams, why I created this space and how much I want it to prosper.
Thank you, Fabi, Marina, Pato, Dani, Jessica, Débora, Raquel, Moara, Aline, Bianca, Antonia, Sofia, Camila, Maria, Claudinha! You are amazing, inspiring and sensational women!
Long live the women of the sea!
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have a vast amount of experience in covering health news. I am also an author at News Bulletin 247. I am highly experienced and knowledgeable in this field. I am a hard worker and always deliver quality work. I am a reliable source of information and always provide accurate information.
