By Lisa Cutts
Women love to Boogie!
Since launching our very first all-women’s bodyboard weekend in Newquay, Cornwall, back in 2022, we’ve seen incredible growth and enthusiasm. The energy, connection, and confidence that flow from these events have been nothing short of inspiring, so much so that we’ve expanded our team including former Welsh, British and European champ Lisa Cutts, Devon based rider Rosita Sanchez and ofcourse international bodyboard star, Vicki Reale. We now offer even more weekends, camps, and retreats abroad. Among them is our brand-new Ladies’ Secret Morocco trip, coming June 2026.
We’ve also collaborated with women’s surf society, Women & Waves to create even more unforgettable all-female bodyboarding adventures. You can explore all of our women’s bodyboard holidays and retreats to find the perfect trip for you.
We asked Lisa to dive into what makes an all-women’s trip so special and why the number of female bodyboarders is growing faster than ever.
Comfort, Safety & Confidence
We’ve learned that, compared to our mixed bodyboard holiday camps, many women feel more comfortable learning and improving their surfing without the fear of being judged or compared to men and as a result, they often progress faster in this kind of supportive, non-judgmental female only environment.
We asked the guests from our Cornwall Bodyboard Camp for their feedback about learning with other women, the results were really interesting.
“Lisa and Rosita were brilliant bodyboard instructors. So many laughs and I came away with so much more water confidence and achieved my ambition of getting out in the green stuff.”
Bodyboarding alongside other women also tends to create a different kind of energy in the group, one that’s more collaborative than competitive. Without the subtle pressure that can sometimes arise in mixed settings (intentional or not), women are freer to focus on enjoyment, connection, and personal growth.
“There’s a true sense of support, encouragement and respect , having heaps of fun and sharing and fuelling each other’s stoke”
Many of our guests have also shared how much safer and more relaxed they feel in a women-only setting, especially when traveling solo. After all, getting into a wetsuit in the rain in a car park isn’t exactly a glamorous moment and being surrounded by other women can make those little moments (and the time spent in swimwear or the sea) feel far more comfortable and fun.
Empowerment & Encouragement
We’ve also seen that women often relate to one another’s challenges whether it’s fear of waves, societal expectations, or balancing family, work, and travel. These hurdles might seem minor to some of their male counterparts, but they can actually be significant barriers to progression in bodyboarding.
That’s why our all-women’s camps are designed to create an empowering space where confidence is contagious. Watching other women ride waves with strength and joy reinforces that powerful mindset of, “If she can do it, I can too.” Our coaching team made up of world-class female bodyboarders brings not only incredible skill but also an empathetic, encouraging teaching style that resonates deeply with many women.
“Through really valuing and acknowledging all levels of achievement confidence blooms and strong bonds are forged between our guests. They support each other as individual challenges are encountered and overcome, us girls love having a good time in the water together!”
Fitness & mental health
Our guests often tell us, with a big smile after a session, that they feel like they’ve had a full-body workout and it’s true! Unlike slogging through the gym, bodyboarding is a fun, adrenaline-filled way to boost cardio, strengthen your core, and work your legs and glutes with all that paddling. Plus, because it takes place in the water, it’s low-impact and gentle on the joints, keeping injury rates low.
The benefits go far beyond the physical. Being out in the ocean, disconnected from the stresses of everyday life, and fully immersed in the rush of riding waves offers an incredible mental boost, a chance to reset, recharge, and just be in the moment.
Zero barriers to entry
Compared to stand-up surfing, bodyboarding is accessible to all ages and abilities. At Bodyboard Holidays, we can almost guarantee that within the first ten minutes of your first session, you’ll feel the thrill of riding a wave, something that can take much longer to achieve on a surfboard.
On top of that, a bodyboard and fins cost less than a third of a new surfboard, making the sport accessible both physically and financially. With its ease of entry, low-impact nature, and incredible health benefits, it’s no wonder we’re seeing more and more women signing up to try this fun, empowering sport.
Easy to learn, hard to master
While bodyboarding is easy and affordable to pick up, what’s really exciting is that you can take it as far as you want. Whether you’re happy sticking with the basics, riding green waves left or right, or aiming to become an advanced rider, there’s an endless world of skills and techniques to explore.
On our all-women camps, we’ve seen guests start out simply wanting to have fun, only to get hooked and eagerly work their way through our bodyboarding “tree of progression,” discovering new challenges and achievements along the way.
Community & Connection
If I had a pound for every time a guest asked, Are all retreat groups as fun and welcoming as this one?” I’d be very rich! My answer is always the same: in all the years I’ve been running these weekends, the vibe is consistently amazing no matter the age, ability, or background of the ladies attending. One of the most rewarding aspects of our all-women’s camps is the friendships that form. Women often bond quickly in these spaces, creating a sense of sisterhood and instant camaraderie with participants from around the world. “As many don’t get to surf with other females they can’t wait to come together with other like minded women, irrespective of age or ability”. Rosita commented.
Without the subtle pressures or dynamics that can appear in mixed groups, the energy is relaxed, cooperative, and supportive making it easy to connect, share experiences, and build friendships that last long after the waves have settled.
"There was no pressure from any of the instructors to stay in or do something you wasn’t comfortable with.Thankyou ladies for an amazing weekend, I can’t wait to go through my photos and see them! I’ll definitely be back soon! X"
See you in the surf, ladies
All-women’s bodyboarding camps offer so much more than learning a sport. They’re about confidence, connection, fitness, empowerment, and pure fun in the water. From the thrill of catching your first wave to forming friendships with women from around the world, these retreats create memories, skills, and experiences that stay with you long after the last session.
Whether you’re new to bodyboarding or looking to push your skills further, our camps provide the perfect mix of support, encouragement, and adventure. So why wait? Join us on one of our Ladies’ Weekends in Newquay, Cornwall or take it up a notch on our Women’s Secret Morocco Retreat for the ultimate wave-riding escape with like-minded women.
