She Surfs: Surf Girls Jamaica On Community, Therapy, and Defying Expectations

Photographer: Juanita Richards | Stylist: Shandi Alexander | Hair Stylist: Danielle Igor

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Surf Girls Jamaica was founded in 2018 by Imani Wilmot, who recognised the lack of a place for women in the country’s surfing community. By giving girls and women opportunities to surf – not for competition but for pleasure and their own wellbeing – Surf Girls Jamaica is a unique place for girls and women to pursue this male-dominated sport while also connecting with the environment.

In this photo series by Juanita Richards, styled by Shandi Alexander, the collective are captured doing what they do best: surfing in community and finding themselves at one with the natural landscape. Read on to hear from the group’s founder Imani on the important work that Surf Girls Jamaica has done so far, and what it hopes to achieve in the future. 

Polyester: Hey Imani! How long has Surf Girls Jamaica been active? Why was it initially set up?

Imani Wilmot: Surf Girls Jamaica has been active since 2018, out of a need for female surf community in Jamaica. Surfing is traditionally a male-dominated space, but through Surf Girls Jamaica, we have created a safe, empowering environment where women and girls can explore the ocean, build confidence, and find healing through surf therapy and sisterhood.

How does the collective function? Do you meet regularly? How does it work in practice?

We’re more community than competition. Although some of our members do compete locally and internationally, our primary focus is personal growth, mental wellness, physical wellbeing and environmental connection. We meet regularly for surf therapy sessions, community beach days, workshops, and seasonal retreats. We even have virtual meetups. Our structure is modelled from the ocean – fluid and rooted in care, collaboration, and listening to the ebbs and flows of needs of the women and girls we serve.

“Our structure is modelled from the ocean – fluid and rooted in care, collaboration, and listening to the ebbs and flows of needs of the women and girls we serve.”

What about surfing is so special to you as women particularly?

Surfing offers us a space to reconnect with our bodies, breath, and the natural world. In the water, we’re reminded of our strength and resilience. It strips away social expectations and allows us to live in the practice of presence. For many of us, it’s the first time we feel completely free. Surfing can be seen as a metaphor for life: learning to ride the waves, fall down, and get back up stronger.

Does Surf Girls Jamaica defy cultural expectations of women? How?

Absolutely. In Jamaican culture – like many others – women are often expected to be caregivers, stay indoors, or limit their ambitions. Surf Girls Jamaica challenges that. We take up space in the ocean. We lead, we mentor, we build our own paths. Our presence in surf culture, environmental activism, and public leadership breaks stereotypes and redefines what it means to be Caribbean woman and girls.

Is going against what might normally be thought of as “ordinary” for women and girls ever tough?

Yes, it’s not always easy. We face criticism, judgment, and sometimes even disbelief – that we surf, that we lead, that we build something outside the status quo. But the ocean teaches us perseverance. And every time a young girl paddles out for the first time and realises she belongs, it reinforces our vision for the future and drives us to keep going.  

“In Jamaican culture – like many others – women are often expected to be caregivers, stay indoors, or limit their ambitions. Surf Girls Jamaica challenges that. We take up space in the ocean.”

How does working together in a community of women help you in the face of any difficulty?

Community is everything. When one of us is struggling, we surround her with care. When we succeed, we celebrate together. We offer emotional support, practical resources, and a sense of belonging that many women have never had before.

What do the donations you receive allow you to do?

Donations help us provide free or low-cost surfing lessons, therapy-based programs, equipment, meals, transportation, and access to the sea for women and girls who might otherwise be excluded. It also allows us to participate in global research on the mental health situations that affect our communities. They also support our community events, mentorship programs, and sustainability initiatives. Every dollar helps us make a bigger impact.

What purpose do you think the collective serves in the lives of its members?

For many members, Surf Girls Jamaica is more than a surf group – it’s a lifeline. It offers healing from trauma, a boost in self-esteem, a safe community, and a sense of purpose. It encourages leadership, environmental stewardship, and self-expression. It’s a place where you can be seen, supported, celebrated and honored for exactly who you are.

What are the collective’s hopes for its future?

We hope to grow sustainably – expanding our reach across Jamaica and eventually into other Caribbean islands. We dream of building a permanent surf therapy centre, training more women instructors, and creating jobs within our surf ecosystem. Ultimately, we want to shift the culture, so every girl in Jamaica knows she belongs in the ocean and has the power to shape her own life.