Founded in 2018, the Arugam Bay Girls Surf Club is the first registered female surf club in Sri Lanka.
The club emerged from a grassroots initiative, starting with a surf event for women in 2015, which saw strong participation despite cultural resistance.
Initially, women faced opposition from families and community members, but the desire to surf became a source of empowerment and liberation. Over time, the club expanded, providing a safe space for women to develop skills and pursue surfing, while also engaging in community projects like beach cleanups, and supporting local schools and temples.
In Sri Lanka’s rural areas, women are confined to traditional roles of wife, mother and homemaker. Often, they are not encouraged to pursue employment opportunities that will enable upward social mobility.
The club challenges these norms, offering non-traditional income opportunities. Women involved in the club have begun offering surfing lessons to female tourists, allowing them to earn an income and gain financial independence.
Members have also acquired skills, such as e-marketing and language proficiency, which have further helped in building their confidence.
The club, a symbol of resilience and change, has garnered international attention, including recent coverage in media outlets like The Hindu, highlighting both the growth of women’s surfing in Sri Lanka and the broader social impact of such initiatives.