OUR VALUES AND VISION
CWSC is a vibrant community dedicated to empowering and celebrating women in the sport of surfing. Our committee is composed of passionate individuals who work tirelessly to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for surfers of all skill levels. Through various initiatives and events, we strive to amplify the voices of women in the surf industry and inspire the next generation of wave riders.
Sindia
President
Sindia Sosdian is an avid surfer who has travelled the world. She grew up surfing the Jersey shore and navigating hurricane swell and the wintry mix of snow and wind to surf the beachbreak of the east coast of America. After completing her degree in marine science, she moved to Australia and then Wales, expanding her surf portfolio to spots in SE Asia, NZ, and Taiwan.
In 2010, she moved to Wales to lecture at Cardiff University in the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences. As a local of the Bristol Channel, she routinely surfs up and down the Vale of Glamorgan, calling her home break Llantwit Major. Sindia started the Channel Women Surf Community in 2022 as a way to build community, expand surf knowledge, and support diverse groups surfing the Bristol Channel and wider Welsh spots.
She is a mum of two and balances work alongside surfing, making sure to always have the tides in her calendar to ensure windows to surf.
Steph
Vice-President
Stephanie Smailes is first and foremost a longboarder, but will paddle out in double overhead on her fish hoping for the best. Stephanie is comparatively new to surfing, having caught the bug in 2017. After a few years of sporadic surfing on whatever board was available in India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Hong Kong and Borneo, Stephanie moved to Bali and discovered the joy of 9 feet of board.
When she moved to Wales 3 years ago, she met Sindia, and life hasn’t been the same since. Stephanie tries (and mostly succeeds) to surf all her local breaks from Llantwit Major to Sker — she is easily identifiable as the one whooping and cheering. Surf is pure joy, and Channel Women Surf is growing a community of surfers who share in that joy, and want others to as well.
It’s a hub of great people, surfers of a range of abilities, bodies and boards, who are all driving our mission forward. Outside the water, Stephanie works hard, travels lots and enjoys van life exploring her adopted home of Wales. She’s also the Chair of Surfing England’s Inclusive Lineups Committee and is committed to helping anyone who wants to surf feel a sense of belonging when they enter the ocean.
Rachel
Community Liaison & Membership Secretary
Rachel started being involved in club sports in the faraway land of the Australian Alps. Initially managing the administrative side of a kids’ freeride skiing sports club, she spent 5 winters in Japan alongside this, working as part of a backcountry guiding office and ski/snowboard instructor qualification centre — both notoriously male-dominated areas!
This experience ignited Rachel’s passion for supporting women in sport and creating inclusive and safe spaces for people. She manages memberships for Channel Women Surf, liaising with the Welsh Surfing Federation, and in her role as Community Liaison, she is the go-to committee member to express concerns.
Rachel currently works in HR and has had a focus on Wellbeing, ensuring that everyone has access to resources to support them.
Sarah
Graphic Designer
Having dabbled in surfing on and off since her teenage years, Sarah returned to surfing in 2021 — with a love of the ocean, it was only a matter of time! Having attended the very first meet-up (before the group officially became Channel Women Surf), Sarah knew she wanted to be involved in helping to build the community and share the joy of surfing. Sarah uses her skills in graphic design to create the visual identity of the club and bring its messages and vision to life.
Abi
Secretary
Abi has always lived in South Wales and moved to Bridgend in 2011 to be nearer to the sea. She has always loved the beach and has been surfing for over 15 years, though she’s taken long breaks during that time due to having children and a period of ill health.
Around 4 years ago, Abi truly caught the surfing bug and now enjoys getting in the water whenever she can, while juggling work and family life. Her whole family surf, and her eldest son will often be seen joining her in the line-up.
Abi was at the very first Channel Women Surf meeting and has never looked back. She had always wanted to join a surf club but felt intimidated by male-dominated clubs — and not knowing anyone made it harder. She jumped at the chance to attend that first meeting and wanted to be part of the goal to promote inclusivity in the line-up.
She’s made some lifelong friends through Channel Women Surf, and having people cheering each other on has made surfing even more fun. Abi is passionate about bringing together female surfers so more people can experience the joy of surfing in a friendly and supportive environment.