
Nonprofit Strengthens Women and Girls in Sri Lanka Through Surfing Instruction
For the Sri Lankan nonprofit [SeaSisters](https://www.seasisterslk.com/?utm_source=hypebae&utm_medium=instagram&utm_campaign=hypebae_feature&utm_id=hypebae), it is evident that surfing belongs to everyone. In Sri Lanka, local women and girls are frequently “rarely seen in the ocean,” according to the nonprofit. Some still haven’t learned to swim, despite growing up on an island. SeaSisters strives to empower women and girls to engage in swimming and surfing.
In 2018, Amanda Prifti and Martina Burscher met along Sri Lanka’s east coast and created the country’s [first all-female surf club](https://www.facebook.com/abaygirlssurfclub/). They subsequently founded SeaSisters, which is currently directed by local women. The nonprofit promotes inclusivity in the ocean and confronts gender norms.
“Especially in rural regions, women are anticipated to remain at home and care for their families, frequently preventing them from enjoying the recreational and economic possibilities of surf tourism,” the organization [states](https://www.seasisterslk.com/our-story).
For Sanu, a participant in SeaSisters, surfing provided her with a physical release and a sense of “home,” boosting her self-esteem and broadening her outlook. “As I was growing up, I never witnessed a local girl surfing,” she mentions in a [documentary](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCRaZhALXW4) produced by the *Los Angeles Times*. “It’s hard to grasp what you don’t observe.”
SeaSisters also trains participants in swimming abilities. Sri Lanka has one of the highest drowning statistics globally, with many women not learning to swim due to limited access and societal expectations. Dilini used to fear the sea but is now an enthusiastic surf photographer and a member of SeaSisters Surf Academy.
“Living in Sri Lanka, the ocean was always present, but never genuinely ours,” remarks Himaya, a participant in SeaSisters’ sixth season, in a (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1ClUBIISTwA). “SeaSisters transformed my entire life. I learned to swim and surf, and now I teach others.”
Since its inception, SeaSisters has engaged over 180 participants and 90 volunteers from 20 nations. Programs and events centered on mental health, sustainability, and more are provided at no cost.
Amzhi, a member of SeaSisters, [asserts](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9iUrVKUlxVs): “If boys can surf, why can’t we?”
To discover more about the nonprofit and its mission, visit the [SeaSisters website](https://www.seasisterslk.com/?utm_source=hypebae&utm_medium=instagram&utm_campaign=hypebae_feature&utm_id=hypebae).
**Since 2018, SeaSisters has been empowering Sri Lankan women and girls to develop their swimming and surfing skills.**
**The nonprofit aims to confront gender norms while imparting essential skills in water.**
**Today, SeaSisters continues to provide its programs free of charge, enhancing the confidence—and broadening the horizons—of Sri Lankan women and girls.**
**SeaSisters: [Website](https://www.seasisterslk.com/?utm_source=hypebae&utm_medium=instagram&utm_campaign=hypebae_feature&utm_id=hypebae) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/sea_sisters_lk/)**
*My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by SeaSisters.*
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