Surfing Moms Help Each Other Get 'The Purest Kind Of Therapy'

Founded in Hawaii five years ago, Surfing Moms was established by Dr. Elizabeth Madin to create a community of mothers who surf. Four groups meet on Oahu and one in West Maui. More groups exist across the mainland and in Australia. Their weekly meetups are called “surf-swaps.”

Surfing Mom’s Melissa Martin and her daughter Esperanza return after surfing while Erica Diehl, from left, Victoria Moody, Sachiko Stokes and Daniel Ritchie play on the sand Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, at White Plains Beach in Ewa Beach. The moms take turn surfing while other moms watch the keiki. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023) — Melissa Martin and her daughter Esperanza return after surfing while Erica Diehl, from left, Victoria Moody, Sachiko Stokes and Daniel Ritchie play on the sand. The moms take turns surfing while other moms watch the keiki. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Surfing Mom Melissa Martin verifies Katelyn Taua’a’s statement about the surf-swaps: “You are always going to leave with a big smile on your face,” Taua’a said. “It is the purest form of therapy. Every time I see a mom walking back from a surf sesh, she looks recharged and happy.”

Surfing Mom’s keiki Cade Diehl, center, and Cedar Moody, far right, play while Surfing Mom’s Sachiko Stokes and Erica Diehl tend to Daniel Ritchie, Santiago Martin and Ekuale Taua’a during a Surfing Mom’s Ewa group outing Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, at White Plains Beach in Ewa Beach. The moms take turn surfing while other moms watch the keiki. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023) — Keiki Cade Diehl, center, and Cedar Moody, far right, play while Sachiko Stokes and Erica Diehl tend to Daniel Ritchie, Santiago Martin and Ekuale Taua’a during a Surfing Mom’s Ewa group surf-swap. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Kelli Ritchie, from left, heads out to get in the water while Sachiko Stokes holds Daniel Ritchie during a Surfing Mom’s weekly outing Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, at White Plains Beach in Ewa Beach. The moms take turn surfing while other moms watch the keiki. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023) — Kelli Ritchie, left, heads to the water while Sachiko Stokes holds Kelli’s son Daniel during a Surfing Mom’s meetup. “He used to have a hard time when I left, but he quickly discovered how much fun he has without me for a small bit and that I always come back.” Ritchie said, “Surf moms has really helped him develop independently, which is fun to see.” (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

“Surfing Moms helps me to maintain balance in life.” said Sachiko Stokes, an Ewa group organizer. “We are all juggling different things in life, but having an opportunity to jump in the water, ride waves and share stories with other moms every week helps me to clear my mind, focus on the present and get to enjoy being myself outside of motherhood.”

Ekuale Taua’a has Surfing Mom’s Sachiko Stokes look at something poking his finger during the Ewa group’s weekly outing Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, at White Plains Beach in Ewa Beach. The moms take turn surfing while other moms watch the keiki. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023) — Ekuale Taua’a, from left, asks Sachiko Stokes, holding Daniel Ritchie, to look at something poking his finger. Esperanza Martin eats a snack and mom Melissa picks up Santiago after their turn on the water. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Surfing Mom’s Sachiko Stokes, from left, holds Daniel Ritchie, while his mom Kelli Ritchie surfs and Santiago Martin watches in the arms of Victoria Moody during the group’s weekly outing Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, at White Plains Beach in Ewa Beach. The moms take turn surfing while other moms watch the keiki. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023) — Surfing Mom’s Sachiko Stokes, from left, holds Daniel Ritchie, while his mom Kelli surfs and Santiago Martin watches in the arms of Victoria Moody during the group’s weekly outing. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Surfing Moms welcomes everyone with keiki, including fathers. Surfing isn’t required, but minding the children during their beach surf-swap time is paramount.

Kelli Ritchie started surfing a couple months before joining Surf Moms. She was with her son at a playground where a Surfing Mom member invited her to try it out. “I am still very much a beginner, but the other mamas have been so encouraging in and out of the water.” she said. “I have learned so much from all of them! They even helped me purchase my first real board!”

The Surfing Mom’s Victoria Moody, from left, Sachiko Stokes and Erica Diehl watch keiki Daniel Ritchie, Ekuale Taua’a and Santiago Martin as Esperanza Martin and her mom Melissa Martin paddle out during their weekly outing Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, at White Plains Beach in Ewa Beach. The moms take turn surfing while other moms watch the keiki. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023) — Esperanza Martin and her mom Melissa Martin maneuver to catch a wave while Surfing Mom’s Victoria Moody, from left, Sachiko Stokes and Erica Diehl watch keiki Daniel Ritchie, Ekuale Taua’a and Santiago Martin. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Surfing Mom’s Victoria Moody, from left hugs Erica Diehl Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Ewa Beach. These two and another Surfing Mom celebrate birthdays this week. The moms take turn surfing while other moms watch the keiki. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023) — Victoria Moody, left, hugs Erica Diehl. These two and another Surfing Moms celebrated birthdays the week of this surf-swap meetup. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

“Westside coordinators, Sachiko and Angela, do an amazing job making everyone feel welcomed and loved.” Ritchie said. “Whether you are a beginner or you’ve been surfing for a while, surf mamas is a great community and family where you can feel encouraged not only in surfing but in other aspects of life, especially motherhood. The saying ‘it takes a village’ is true. Surf moms is here for it.”

Surfing Mom’s keiki Ekuale Taua’a rolls on the grass after his mom Katelyn Taua’a returns from her surf session during the group’s weekly outing Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, at White Plains Beach in Ewa Beach. The moms take turn surfing while other moms watch the keiki. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023) — Ekuale Taua’a rolls on the grass after his mom Katelyn Taua’a returns from her surf session. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Taua’a said, “Ekuale is so excited to see his friends. He’s become more confident socializing and in the water … He now waves at me when I’m walking to the water with my board and says, ‘Bye Mama,’ and throws me the cutest shaka and blows a kiss.”

Surfing Mom Kelli Ritchie waits for a warm welcome from her son Daniel during the group’s weekly outing Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, at White Plains Beach in Ewa Beach. The moms take turn surfing while other moms watch the keiki. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023) — Kelli Ritchie waits for a warm welcome from her son Daniel after her surf session. “I always have so much joy knowing my little dude is being taken care of by his aunties and I can enjoy a nice break doing a sport I’ve come to love.” Ritchie said. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

“If you are thinking about joining… JOIN!” Ritchie said of the group, which became a non-profit in 2021. “Even if you don’t surf, just come and enjoy community and friendship for you and for your little ones. There’s nothing like the surf mamma ohana! I hope more mammas get to experience the support and love of this community!”