Founders of a women’s surf collective on riding the wave of imagination.
– KEYS SOULCARE
Our imaginations have the power to free us to see beyond what we’ve always known — pushing us out towards bigger hopes, dreams, and realities. Textured Waves, a collective dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in the surf world, illuminates this notion at every turn. We chatted with co-founders Martina Duran, Danielle Black Lyons, and Chelsea Woody about using your voice and self-empowerment, on and off land.
What was your entry point to surfing?
As young girls, we all admired it from afar. Surfing did not fit into the standards that define how African-American women were expected to show up. It wasn’t until we got older, wiser, and began accepting our natural beauty that we were able to create our own paths [back to it.]
How did that evolve into Textured Waves?
Out of a need for community. We are spread out: Danielle in San Diego, Martina in Honolulu, and Chelsea in Santa Cruz. Despite the ocean feeling like our second home, it was isolating not to see others like us in the [surfing community] lineup. We found each other through social media, and created an IG page.
How did you build the Textured Waves online community?
We researched and shared images of other women of color surfers we admired and encouraged women to tag #texturedwaves to be featured, too. We built a steady cult following the first year that exploded after we gained recognition for [the Black Lives Matter demonstration] Paddle Out for Unity.
Were you expecting the response you’ve received thus far?
We think a lot of companies and media outlets did a bit of self-reflection about doing better with diversity and representation. What that has meant for us is a very full inbox. We’ve held fast to our mission of “women of all shades, riding waves,” and carefully screen companies that approach us to ensure that they’re 100% behind our message and working to amplify it.
You speak often about maintaining control of the Textured Wave narrative. Why?
Historically, [women of color] were not entrusted with the pen or microphone to tell our own stories. They’ve been told, distorted and misrepresented through the vantage point of someone else. Controlling our narrative takes back power that was ours to begin with — our identity, genealogy, traumas, [and] joys. Our story is us.
When have you recently found that collaborative resonance?
We had the pleasure of collaborating with [swimwear label] The Seea on their summer ‘20 campaign and were able to create a short film Sea Us Now. Amanda [Chinchelli], the founder, told us: “It is your story, it needs to come from you.” She gave us complete creative control, down to its director. Our co-founder Chelsea created the storyline, poetry, and vision. It left people smiling and with hope for a better tomorrow.
What role does imagination play in your lives as surfers and storytellers?
Surfing, at its root, is about play. Imagination is essential to play and therefore essential to surfing! We tend to view surfers more as artists than athletes. The most beautiful thing to watch is a surfer drawing their line on a wave — unique and temporary!
How does it connect to storytelling?
A storyteller/sharer is a vehicle. Imagination is the gas, what pushes us to create and share. Imagination helps us put our story together in powerful ways.
What power does imagination hold for us all?
Originally, we had to imagine ourselves in these surf spaces — because there was no visual point of reference for our generation. Imagination can get you far, but the smallest reinforcement (such as an image of another woman who looks like you surfing) can inspire even bigger dreams.
Who or what inspires you to seek freedom?
Danielle: Other parts of my identity include “mother” and “wife.” My family knows that the sea is my happy place, and they hold the space for me to connect to her each day.
Chelsea: I have a very stressful job as a nurse. The ocean helps me wash off all the trauma of the day. I have always understood that I get the privilege of leaving the hospital when I’m done with my shift, and I know others are not so fortunate.
Martina: Carving out freedom grounds me and prevents burnout from the daily grind and my career. I notice that when I don’t find those moments, I start to lose a little bit of myself and purpose.
How can we transcend the status quo in our daily lives?
Social media and online shaming make it easy to get caught up in the comparison game. Lead life to better yourself, not to best anyone else, so you can show up from a place of love, empathy, sharing, and joy.
What’s your highest vision for Textured Waves?
To inspire all women to find something they enjoy that is outside of the box. Hopefully, in a few years, there won’t be a need for Textured Waves because diversity in surfing will be normalized!
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