Jess Laing is the owner and head coach of Girls on Board on Millowl/Phillip Island, Bunurong Country. Growing up on Phillip Island, Jess was introduced to the ocean at a very young age, surfing her first wave at age four. Her father and older brother both had successful competitive surfing backgrounds, and at eight years old, Jess thought, “why can’t I do that?” She spent the next ten years surfing, training, and competing, while juggling school, with much success. Jess was a Victorian State Surfing Champion U/13, U/16, and U/18, Australian School Pairs Champion 2007 and 2008, and Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach Trials Runner Up.

Nonetheless, as Jess got older, competitive surfing became less of a focus. She could see that there wasn’t enough support and encouragement for girls who were learning and coming up the ranks. In 2012, she created her own surf school, focusing on providing girls with the means and know-how to make a start in surfing.

A series of serendipitous events led me to Girls on Board as a learner in late 2018, beginning with my then local Blockbuster Video closing down in Naarm’s/Melbourne’s inner North, and selling off their DVDs in roughly 2014/5. One of the DVDs I bought from that sale was the Rip Curl film First Love (2011), a documentary by Claire Gorman and featuring Jess, Nikki Van Dijk, and India Payne. First Love follows the three girls on their journey to making a career out of surfing, including Jess’ battles with chronic fatigue and injury.

Jess’ experience struck a chord with me. I had not long been diagnosed with a chronic condition and was battling exhaustion and muscle weakness, amongst other difficult physical and psychological symptoms. After viewing the film, I found Jess on instagram, discovering that she had gone on to found a surf school. Several years later, when I was stronger, I signed up for a weekly Girls on Board surf class. Jess provided an environment that allowed me to feel safe not only in the water, but safe to share what was happening with my health – she was crucial in helping me re-learn how to surf.

I was delighted to reconnect with Jess recently for this interview.

Jess, thank you for agreeing to chat with me for The Section. Can you begin by giving readers an overview of Girls on Board – its mission, how long it has been running, what kinds of programs it offers?

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story! Girls on Board has been running for eleven years. I opened the business when I was twenty years old, and as I grew, the business did too. My mission at the beginning was to inspire and motivate young girls to take up surfing and provide them with a safe and welcoming space to learn; however, things have certainly changed over the years. 

In early 2016, Surfing Victoria provided me with funding to run a free ‘Mothers Program’ on Phillip Island. At the time, there weren’t many girls or women above the age of eighteen learning to surf on the Island and this gave me the opportunity to branch out and try something new.

This was a pivotal moment for the surf school and I also believe that it was a turning point for women’s entry level surfing on the Island. Once mums and other women saw each other out there it made them feel more comfortable to give surfing a go and ‘normalised’ something that had many years ago been a no-go zone for females!

We specialise in running small, personalised sessions, as we believe that connecting with our surfers is key. It allows for everyone to have a great time and for our surfers to learn and build confidence in the ocean.

We run multi-week women’s programs, pop up women’s sessions for beginners, advanced beginners, and intermediate surfers. We also run kids after school and school holiday programs, as well as public lessons open to guys and girls of all ages.

Do you remember when you began to imagine running a surf school, and can you walk us through what that thinking process was like? What were some of your hopes for the school when you were envisioning it? What were some of your concerns?

While premiering First Love on the East Coast of Australia, it opened my eyes up to how many girls were interested in surfing and learning to surf. At that time, there was a lack of women coaches in the industry, especially on the Island.

I decided I just wanted to give it a go and my family were really supportive, which gave me the courage to do it. I didn’t really feel like I had anything to lose.

I wanted to encourage more young girls to become a part of the lifestyle that had shaped my life in a positive way in the hopes that one day they could get as much out of it as I have.

Have any of these hopes or concerns been realised? 

Over the past five or so years, I have noticed a huge shift in the amount of girls and women in the water on Phillip Island, especially those who are just starting out and learning to surf. I do believe that Girls on Board and the programs we run had something to do with this.

There is such a beautiful growing community of women who support each other on their surfing journeys, it is lovely to see. When I see members of the Girls on Board community organising their own surf meet ups, going on overseas surf holidays with new friends, et cetera, it makes me feel so stoked! This is what it’s all about!

How has Girls on Board evolved over the years? 

To be honest, I never dreamed of it taking off like it did. Having no expectations allowed the business to grow without pressure and because of that I have always thoroughly enjoyed running it. It started out as a side hustle and in the early days my boss at Fullcircle Surf Shop allowed me to finish my shift early if I had surf lesson bookings come in.

As time went on, I became busy enough at the surf school that I could take it on as my full time job. I ran every part of it on my own, with a little help from friends here and there.

It wasn’t until the past few years that I took on more coaches, due to becoming quite unwell. I was physically exhausted and unable to run the lessons on my own, which gave me the push I needed to look for more permanent help. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise and allowed me to let go of my ‘baby’ and welcome some amazing new coaches to the team. In doing this, it allowed the surf school to grow.

Joining a Girls on Board surf class in 2018/2019 was a game changer for me (Daniella, The Section). Jess got my feet back on a board after many years off, and I met some amazing women along the way. Images from L-R: Post-session debrief with Jess and fellow surfer students; back on a board at last; surf school crew; surf school crew + doggo. Image credits: Daniella Trimboli and Jess Laing

Anyone who has seen the 2011 Rip Curl film First Love will know that Grom Jess wasn’t anticipating running a surf school for girls when she grew up: Grom Jess had her eyes set on professional competitive surfing!

Fast forward twelve years and your surfing journey has gone in a different direction, though it continues to play a fundamental role in your life. Can you describe what led you to move away from competitive surfing and towards coaching?

During a surf competition in my late teens, I injured my shoulder and ended up needing a shoulder reconstruction. I was land bound for seven months and had plenty of thinking time. It made me realise that I wanted to surf for fun from then onwards.

I don’t think I truly ever believed I was going to be a professional surfer, I just loved the idea of the lifestyle of travelling to surf and surfing in bikinis in warm water and tropical places.

Fast forward the clock a few years and I managed to build this lifestyle for myself, whilst running a business that I love. As it gets freezing on the Island in Winter, it doesn’t affect my business too much if I close the doors for a few months. So each Winter I like to jump on a plane and go surfing in my dream destinations.

I managed to create my dream lifestyle in the end, just not the way I first imagined it was going to happen!

The film documents some of your health struggles as a teenager, including with chronic fatigue, which began when you were a twelve year old girl.

A common experience for those of us who live with chronic health issues and/or a disability is the grief that comes with it – grief over not being able to do things you previously used to, or realising your future might look differently to how you had envisioned.

This grief is subtly but poignantly captured in First Love when, following a shoulder reconstruction, you are unable to join your two best mates in Hawaii. 

Do you have any words of support for people who might be experiencing a similar kind of grief at the moment?

I absolutely feel for anyone going through their own health struggles. Be gentle on yourself. Try to have people in your corner who are kind and compassionate, as unfortunately not everyone will understand your situation, especially if it’s something that cannot be seen.

Something that has helped me is holding on to hope and belief that I can and will get better, even though some days this can be really challenging. And remember to do things that make you happy.

It is well known that running a business can be extremely busy and stressful (!). How do you take care of your body and health amidst running your own business? 

Unfortunately, it took a major setback for me to start taking good care of myself. In 2020, I completely burnt out and became very unwell. I was sick and exhausted and didn’t have the mental capacity or physical strength to even think about work. I now receive plenty of help coaching the sessions and I limit myself to how many sessions I run a day. I eat well (most of the time!), rest when I need to, slow down, and I am learning to listen to my body!

What is your favourite thing about being a surf instructor?

The connections made, the smiles, the fact that I get to move my body every day. I love that I always leave work feeling better than when I arrived and for that I am so grateful! I love that my office is in the ocean, which just so happens to be my favourite place to be. How lucky am I?!

What’s your least favourite thing? 

The cold!!!! Not a fan. I am living in the wrong state, I know!

Do you have a particular memory that stands out for you as a coach?

This past Summer I volunteered at a couple of disabled surfers events on Phillip Island. Seeing the joy that the participants felt after catching a wave or two was incredibly heartwarming and a reminder of just how special and life changing riding a wave can be. If you are able to get involved in one of these events or anything similar, I highly recommend it!

The lineup has changed a lot since you first started surfing at age four. In First Love, you mentioned that you and your two best mates were often outnumbered by boys/men in the water, fifteen to one, leading Phillip Island to be dubbed “Bloke’s Island”.

What does your local lineup look like today? Is it still ‘Bloke’s Island?‘

The lineups on the Island have definitely changed since I was a kid.

We are still outnumbered a lot of the time, however, there are plenty of times where it’s a balanced lineup, or even more girls and women in the water. It brings a really nice dynamic when it’s a balanced lineup.

You really were a pioneer in this space in Australia. When I first came across you there were not many schools running, especially for girls and women. How do you think surf schools have changed the culture of surfing in Australia?

I think there is more inclusivity now for people to feel comfortable to learn what can be quite an intimidating sport. Things like rocking up to a new beach car park full of more experienced surfers, putting on a wetsuit for the first time, learning how to read the ocean, and things that surfers take for granted, are all more accessible now.

Some people will argue that surf schools are making lineups busier, however, the way I see it is: if people are going to try it, I would much rather them be educated and know how to keep themselves and others safe in the ocean.  

What changes would you still like to see in surf culture – whether in surf schools, the lineup, or beyond?

I’d like to see it continue to move in the right direction in terms of inclusivity. I’d love to see more entry level women and girls get involved and feel supported.

I’d like to see surfing and ocean therapy used more in the mental health field as I feel it is so powerful and there are many benefits in this area.

And I would really like to see more girls and women owning their place in the lineup and feeling a sense of belonging rather than feeling like they come second to the boys or men out there. 

Any surf trips/adventures in the pipeline?

For the first time ever (not including the peak pandemic years) I am planning to spend Winter on the Island. Still hoping to sneak a little trip to Indo in at some stage to get my warm water, tropical fix! Other than that, I am in the very early stages of planning a big Winter trip next year… Mexico is on the cards. Fingers crossed!

Thank you for your time, Jess, and everything you have done to carve a space out for girls and women in the surf. So grateful for you!

Thanks, Dani, so honoured, and you definitely give me a much better wrap than I deserve!!! Thanks for allowing me to share some of my story.