It's Official, We're Registered in The UK!
Meet Natalie, our remarkable surfsister who spearheaded the foundation of GROUNDSWELL COMMUNITY PROJECT UK, a Community Interest Company
Here’s a note from Natalie:
“I grew up landlocked in the very middle of the UK, and even though it is an Island nation, I didn’t step foot in the Atlantic Ocean until I was 16. At that time I was going through some difficulties as a young woman, due to being diagnosed with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome. This resulted in a struggle with feelings of body shame, but the sea made a lasting impression on me. Just for a few moments, it washed away my concerns and I found a sense of peace with who I was.
When I finished my University course at 21, I moved to Cornwall to reconnect with the joy and freedom I had felt in the waves, which sparked a relationship with surfing and the ocean that changed the course of my life. I became a surf coach and travelled the world, and am now studying surfing and microplastics as an inter-disciplinary researcher.
I was called to start the UK chapter of Groundswell because I want to help facilitate other women to access the healing power of being in the Ocean in a supportive, collaborative environment. It was difficult learning to surf on my own, physically, but it was also difficult to cope with thoughts and feelings that would arise, without anyone around who understood. Just like the waves, I eventually learnt how to ride them and the ocean became a safe and nurturing space for me; and I have finally found a global, community of women where I can share all that arises on my journey.
Having a few months out from surfing due to Covid-19 made me realise the depth to which surfing has been responsible for helping me grow, learn and heal. In the water and back on land. It has been integral to finding the capacity to deal with the ups and downs of my mental state - we are all on a healing journey after all. I decided to go for it and set up the UK Chapter of Groundswell, after taking the surf therapy for trauma recovery training and am currently on a mentorship programme with Groundswell founder Natalie Small.
Having worked in female centric surf and yoga retreats all the world for the last 10 years I have witnessed the shifts people incur from just a few hours surfing in the sea. Surfing was never a sport to me, it was a survival mechanism and now it enables me to live life to my fullest. To be able to share and empower other women to experience this is an incredible opportunity and I feel, perfectly aligned with my purpose in life - which is exploring and strengthening our connection to the ocean.
I’m so stoked to be part of the Groundswell team and look forward to launching the Groundswell UK pilot, in Cornwall in October.
Sending waves of love
Natalie xx”
-Natalie Fox, Eco Surf Yoga
Check out the film that she’s featured in - a female surf film exploring the connection between surfing and mindfulness.
Check out the trailer below!