Meet the Dream Team: Our Barbados Women’s Surf Camp Leaders, Jodie and Chelsea!

When it comes to living the ultimate island surf life, Jodie and Chelsea are the real deal. These two legends are not only passionate surfers, but they’re also your gateway to experiencing the magic of Barbados—both in and out of the water! From breathtaking beaches to world-class waves, Jodie and Chelsea will guide you through it all with their insider local knowledge.

Let’s introduce you to the fabulous Jodie! Known as the “mumma bear” of the crew, Jodie is an incredible surfer and a proud mum to her adorable son. Her partner runs the popular local surf shop, Smileys, and when Jodie’s not out catching waves, you’ll find her teaching at her beautiful yoga shala or treating people to some of the best massages on the island! Talk about a multi-talented island queen.

And then there’s Chelsea—an absolute powerhouse on the waves! A local through and through, Chelsea knows all the best surf spots and is eager to share her favourites with you. Oh, and did we mention she’s an Olympic-level surfer representing Barbados? What a flex!

Together, Jodie and Chelsea make the perfect duo to give you an unforgettable Barbados experience—epic surf, island vibes, and endless fun!

What first drew you to surfing, and how did you get started in Barbados?

Jodie: I wanted to hang out with my older brother and his friends lol. They were teenagers and spent most of their time at the beach or searching for waves. Being a young teen (I was 13 when I first started) I loved tagging along, when allowed, and feeling a part of the crew. Once I actually got good enough to paddle out and stand up I was hooked! That’s when the real experience of surfing started and what they say is true, only a surfer knows the feeling!

Chelsea: I didn’t begin my surfing journey like most people do. When I was about four years old, my dad was eager to buy me a surfboard, but my mum believed it was too dangerous and thought ballet would be a better fit for me. Fast forward six years, and I had developed a passion for everything pink. One day, while rummaging through my garage, I stumbled upon my dad’s retro fluorescent pink surfboard and the rest was history.

What’s unique about surfing in Barbados compared to other places you’ve surfed?

Jodie: I’d say two main things… one is the camaraderie in the water. In many other places I’ve surfed there’s often a feeling of localism or a real hierarchy in the water whereas here the surf community is super welcoming and encouraging to beginners and non-locals. I love that, it feels like an extended family in the lineup here and it’s always a good vibe. Secondly, the make-ability of the waves here is amazing and because of that ease and the chance to catch many waves surfing levels improve drastically. Which is awesome!

Chelsea: Seeing the joy on a beginner’s face when they catch their first wave is incredibly rewarding. Watching students progress from struggling to stand up to confidently riding waves is a fulfilling journey. Knowing I played a part in their love for surfing and personal growth is what drives me as a coach.

What do you find most rewarding about coaching new surfers?

Jodie: Coaching new surfers is genuinely one of the most rewarding things I’ve done. It is just incredible to see the stoke on someone’s face when a simple tip or slight adjustment means they get to experience that feeling all us surfers are looking for… the flow!

Not only does surfing bring enjoyment, joy, bliss all the good feels, it also increases confidence and empowers people to be more self assured in and out of the water. This is why I especially love coaching women, the opportunity to enhance a woman’s perspective of herself through engaging in such a grounding and deeply connecting experience is truly a gift that I feel lucky to be a part of.

Chelsea: Seeing the joy on a beginner’s face when they catch their first wave is incredibly rewarding. Watching students progress from struggling to stand up to confidently riding waves is a fulfilling journey. Knowing I played a part in their love for surfing and personal growth is what drives me as a coach

Can you describe a moment when you helped a student overcome a big challenge in the water?

Jodie: It took place in the water took place during our Barbados Women’s Surf Camp . We had one client that was quite nervous and still absolutely resigned to getting ‘that feeling’. It was such a challenge for her to get out of her mind and into her body to allow the learning process to progress. It was an honour to support her in the letting go of her fear and assist her stepping into her own power. The knowledge that she was safe and supported plus her patience and determination eventually led her to catching waves on her own which further encouraged her development and confidence. It was beautiful to watch her become aware of her own capability. I LOVE this job!!!

Chelsea: There was a student who was terrified of falling off the board and would hesitate every time a wave approached. I took the time to go through the fall techniques with her and emphasised that falling is part of learning. After several attempts, she finally gained the courage to paddle into a wave and ride it.

What’s the most important piece of advice you give to beginner surfers?

Jodie: Never surrender! Fight, fight, fight! Surfing is beautiful, connecting, peaceful and inspiring it is also tough, intense, challenging and rewarding. It is important to remember that riding the actual wave is just a small part of a much bigger event. Sometimes everything lines up perfectly and you get that feeling of stoke right from the get go, other times things don’t go to plan and you feel like you’ll never get it. Ride it out, keep going, take the good with the bad, don’t ever give up. It’s always worth it in the end.

Chelsea: Patience is crucial. Surfing is a journey, and it takes time to develop skills. I always encourage beginners to focus on enjoying the process rather than rushing to master everything. It’s about connecting with the ocean and having fun.

How do you tailor your coaching for different skill levels, from beginners to advanced surfers?

Jodie: It’s a real skill and comes with knowledge and experience of surfing. The most important thing is knowing the actual, rather than perceived, ability of the surfer being coached. This comes from honest observation and understanding of the skills being taught. Once ability is assessed then it’s a matter of catering to where that individual is and not trying to progress them beyond where they are ready too quickly. We have to remember there is nowhere to get to, it’s about being truly present where you are. It is then up to the coach to adapt techniques and progressions to the level of the student and continue to get them to press gently against those boundaries.

As skill levels improve boundaries move and we continue to aim to meet these new places of growth with the same patience. Continual support and encouragement is key to positively developing new skills wherever the surfer is in their stage of learning.

Chelsea: I assess each surfer’s skill level and specific needs during our initial sessions. For beginners, I focus on fundamentals like paddling and balance, while for more advanced surfers, I might work on refining techniques, understanding wave dynamics, or improving their paddling efficiency. Each session is customised to ensure everyone progresses at their own pace.

What’s your favourite surf spot on the island and why?

Jodie: It’s really difficult for me to pick a favourite surf spot in Barbados. Mostly because I love them all (I feel like that’s trying to pick a favourite child or pet!) but also because they all offer different rewards.

I love the east coast, the world famous Soup Bowl, because it is generally super challenging and pushes my surfing ability right to the edge of its boundary. Even though it can be scary at times the feeling of empowerment that comes when I do meet the challenge is profound. I also love Brandon’s and Sandy Lane for the awesome make-ability of the waves. Even on bigger swells these waves allow for a feeling of ease and are great for improving turns and speed. Can’t forget Freight’s Bay which is super fun for chill long board sessions and cruising which I love, especially with my son.

Chelsea: Soup Bowl in Bathsheba. It’s known for its powerful, hollow waves that can challenge even experienced surfers. The backdrop is breathtaking and magical with its rugged untouched coastline.

How do you help surfers develop confidence when facing more challenging waves?

Jodie: This really comes from not pushing them beyond their own limits too quickly. Confidence comes when we feel safe and secure with our ability at each level of progression.

When a surfer is ready to meet a new challenge it’s about helping them to remember technique and to stay calm as they become comfortable in this new place. Reassurance, patience, understanding and encouragement all help the surfer to do this. As an instructor remaining confident and always adhering to safety protocols helps to further instill this feeling in those ready to face larger challenges.

Chelsea: I emphasise gradual exposure to bigger waves, starting with smaller ones and progressively increasing difficulty as they gain confidence. I also provide support and encouragement, so they feel more prepared before paddling out.

What does a typical day in your life look on our Barbados Women’s Surf Camp?

Jodie: Usually it’s an early start to get to the water and maximise the best conditions! After the surf session it’s time for breakfast and then one of our surf coaching workshops. These are an awesome way to improve surfing ability as well as develop relationships within our own surf community. Then some free time, lunch and exploration followed by another afternoon/evening surf maybe some yoga or more chill time (we encourage lots of that!) and to top it off a delicious dinner at our hand picked favourite restaurants. Check out all our favourite places to eat here.

Chelsea: My day usually starts early, checking surf conditions and getting the gear ready. We have morning sessions with students that can last a few hours, focusing on different techniques.

In between classes, we analyse surf footage of our sessions to help students improve. Depending on the day we teach different workshops from building surf confidence, paddling, forecasting, equipment and also surf skating!

I enjoy sharing stories about my experiences throughout my surfing life and different tips I’ve learnt along the way. Afternoons are often spent either surfing or snorkelling with the turtles at the picturesque Freights Bay.

How do you see surfing contributing to the local culture and community in Barbados?

Jodie: When not on tour a typical day is a bit different as my other job as a Sports Therapist and yoga instructor offers me the ability to work with people who are injured or recovering and assist them in getting back to a pain free state. Plus getting in as much surf as possible while hanging out with my awesome husband and 4 year old son.

Surfing is a growing part of Bajan culture. Being a small island located just outside the chain the of the other Caribbean islands having both a Caribbean coast and an Atlantic coast we are incredibly lucky because we can literally find waves at every corner of our beautiful home. This plus our warm water and waves that cater to every level of surfing contributes to Barbados being a world class surf destination. Through the years I have seen the surf scene develop into an active, vibrant draw bringing people from all over the world here to experience Barbados.

This adds to the growth of our tourist industry which supports many Bajan’s through jobs related to surfing and otherwise. This in turn helps to support the fostering of communities within and without the water by bringing financial security and awareness of the importance of environmental education in order to further develop Barbados as a surf destination.

Chelsea: Surfing is an integral part of Barbados’s identity. It brings people together from various backgrounds and fosters a sense of community and shared passion. It serves as a unifying force, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, locals, tourists, and surfers from around the globe creating a vibrant community bound by a shared love for the ocean.

Want to experience the Caribbean with Jodie & Chelsea? Check out our women’s only Barbados Surf Camp!