“When you get to 40, you realise there’s not much time to do what you’ve dreamt of doing and having time for yourself. I think we always realise that doing things for ourself makes us better parents, better friends and better relationships so I think it’s nice to strike out and push our comfort zones a little bit and try something new.”

Hayley Lawrence aka @middleagedsurfmum tried surfing many times in her life, but it became her whole life in her 40s. She’s now a writer, works with The Wave Project charity as a coach, and founded both a local mums surf group, as well as a travel company specialising in surf holidays for families.

Episode highlights:

• “The ocean is there to humble us.” It can be frustrating at times and some days you just have to give up. 

• It’s not about doing it for anyone other myself" - that makes it easier to deal with the more frustrating days. 

• “You feel really rinsed….it’s the best feeling.” It's all worth it though.

• The long journey in to surfing.

• Surfing with the family and surfing as time out from the family. “It’s the only place no-one can get you.”

• Setting up a surf mum’s group and a travel company.

• Surfing in the Hebrides and Senegal. 

More about Hayley:

 @middleagedsurfmum

Family Surf Co.

Places Hayley mentions:

King Surf

The Wave Project

Join the Board Women movement:

boardwomen.co

@boardwomen

Host: Caroline Keylock

Producer: Selma Chalabi

Photography - Clare Keylock

Artwork - Rozi Wan Rimli 

Music - Brother Brother by Benjamin Caleb Johnson, performed by BENSON

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