Indonesian Girls Surf for Freedom and Equality

A social enterprise in Indonesia puts girls on a surfboard! Their mission: to defy social norms in the conservative nation, empower women to see their potential outside of their homes – and have the girls catch some waves.

Indonesian women are expected to focus on their duties at home and be modest in a Muslim culture that fears wetsuits and swimming could lead to rebellious behavior. XX Surf, based in Lombok, is aiming to change that, saying girls should be given the right to practice sports that build up their self-esteem. The enterprise teaches girls how to swim and surf while also challenging underage marriage and teen pregnancy issues commonly faced in the island.

“They have a lot of potentials,” says Alice Stanbury, co-founder alongside her husband Dedi Susandra. “We hope to bring more girls out so they can enjoy themselves, empower them and allow them a bit more freedom and to experience life just like the boys do.”