SOMA SURF is paddling towards a day where empowered women are surfing infinite waves of union, justice and sustainability across Africa. Raising the next generation of confident young women through surf therapy.
SOMA Surf - São Tomé
Surf intervention
10/2022-03/2023
In October 2022 I embarked on a journey onto an island at the centre of planet Earth called “São Tomé and Princípe. I had the opportunity to document a beautiful Surf Intervention Program named “SOMA Surf” a surf therapy program for Girls from the Village of Santana. I captured the intervention daily, surf classes, trips, festivities and the final surf competition.
I aim to share how surf culture positively impacts the community of young São Tomenses. In this way, I want to convey to my audience how this sport can be therapeutic and empowering at the same time.
From my photographic work, it is possible to understand how surfing in São Tomé is also used as a form of female empowerment. By corrupting the idea that this is a sport for men, the girls and women of São Tomé unite with the sea and surfboards, creating moments of sorority and sharing.
Every picture shows how much the girls enjoy each other’s company and the time in the ocean—growing into young confident women.
