We’ve all seen the “surf girl essentials” checklists: the bikinis, the board wax, the sun-kissed hair. But what about the inner essentials? The ones that don’t fade or fall out of season.
Listen- of course we looovveee cute and functional surf-wear. But, we believe the most important surfer girl staples aren’t packed in your beach bag—they’re the mental shifts and emotional tools that carry you through your sessions, your setbacks, and your surf-fueled life. Here are the mindsets we believe every surfer girl should keep close.
1. Progress Over Perfection
Surfing doesn’t come with instant results. You won’t master it in a week, or maybe even in a year—and that’s the point. This is a lifelong relationship with the ocean, with your body, and with your mindset. Expecting perfection only robs you of the joy in the process.
Progress is paddling out even when the waves look intimidating. It’s catching one wave after missing ten. It’s laughing when you nose-dive and trying again. This mindset shifts you from judgment to curiosity. From pressure to presence.
2. Fear Isn’t a Bad Thing
There’s this idea that “real surfers” are fearless, but the truth is, every surfer feels fear—whether it’s fear of a wipeout, judgment, or even paddling out alone. What matters is not getting rid of the fear, but learning to meet it with awareness.
Fear is just your nervous system trying to protect you. Thank it for showing up. Then choose whether to listen to it or move forward anyway. Some of the most powerful moments in surfing come right after you do the thing that scared you.
3. Let It Be Fun
Surfing is meant to be playful. But sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves to improve or to "look good" doing it that we forget this. We forget the giddy excitement of catching a wave, of jumping into the ocean first thing in the morning, of getting sunburnt and sandy and grinning from ear to ear.
Let it be fun again. Let it be messy and joyful and unfiltered. Don’t worry about progression all the time—protect your stoke. That’s what keeps you coming back.
4. The Ocean is a Mirror
Surfing will reflect everything back to you—your strengths, your growth, your ego, your insecurities. You’ll notice when you get frustrated at yourself. You’ll notice when you hesitate, when you celebrate, when you compare.
And that’s a gift. The ocean doesn’t lie. It teaches you how to handle the unknown, how to forgive yourself, and how to come back to the moment. Every session is a chance to learn something about yourself—even if it has nothing to do with surfing.
5. Community is Everything
There’s something sacred about solo surfs—but finding your people in the water is powerful. Whether it’s a group text planning sessions, or a stranger giving you a “woo!” after a really good wave, community makes this journey lighter, safer, and more joyful.
Celebrate other girls in the water. Share the lineup. Cheer loudly. The surf world is better when we uplift each other, not compete. Connection is one of the greatest surfer girl staples of all.
So, if you’ve been struggling in your surfing journey, come back to these mindsets and remember what surfing is -actually- about.