LAURA REDAELLI
WOMEN OF THE WAVE PARTICIPANT
An Italian living in the Netherlands, Laura is keen on living an active life. She enjoys yoga and spinning classes—two rather different activities that feed perfectly into her newly found passion: surfing. Riding the waves requires her balancing skills acquired during many hours of yoga combined with the endurance gained from spinning classes, and it provides her with a healthy dose of adrenaline.
What sparked your interest in surfing?
It all started with me being curious. I just wanted to ride the waves and feel that adrenaline rush. Plus, something about being in the ocean, finding your balance on the board, and feeling the power of nature is unbeatable. It's not just about physical strength; it's also about the mental focus and sense of community. Seeing other women shredding it in the water at events like Women of the Wave got me hyped to give it a shot. Now that I've tried it, I can't wait to get on the board again!
What obstacles or fears prevented you from trying surfing earlier?
Honestly, I think one main obstacle was not knowing where to start. Surfing can initially seem intimidating, especially if you're unfamiliar with the ocean or don't have anyone to show you what to do and how to do it. Plus, there's always that fear of being wiped out or unable to keep up with everyone else. Knowing I would be surfing alongside other girls with comparable experience levels boosted my confidence.
What or who inspired you to take the leap of faith and try surfing today?
What really got me to take the leap of faith and try surfing today was seeing other women out there killing it in the water and feeling that sense of solidarity with a group of girls who were ready to give it a shot. Knowing I had some support and seeing others having a blast in the waves gave me the confidence to jump in and try it. Plus, embracing a new challenge and experiencing the thrill of riding the waves together with two professional O’Neill athletes was just too tempting to resist.
Does your girl squad play a role in motivating you to hit the waves?
Absolutely! My girl squad plays a huge role in motivating me to hit the waves. We're all in it together, cheering each other on and pushing each other to try new things. Being at the Women of the Wave event with my friends made the experience even more special and memorable. Knowing they're out there with me, facing the same challenges and having a blast, made it so much more fun and inspiring.
What do the words Women of the Wave mean to you?
To me, "Women of the Wave" is all about girl power and solidarity. It's women coming together to conquer the waves, break barriers, and support each other in a traditionally male-dominated sport. It represents a community of fearless women who inspire and uplift one another, both in and out of the water.
Describe your surfing experience during the Women of the Wave event.
My surfing experience during the Women of the Wave event was amazing! I had an absolute blast in the water with all those amazing ladies. I felt like I was part of this awesome crew of surf-loving women, just cheering each other on and riding the waves together.
I picked up some cool new surfing tips and tricks during the event, and I was even able to ride holding hands with O'Neill's athlete Violeta; how cool is that?! I'm definitely planning to hit the waves again in the future… actually, I already did! I still have to learn quite a lot, but definitely still very excited!
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