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In Summer of 2018, The Inertia traveled to El Salvador with three outstanding women who are inspiring the next generation of ocean lovers through their alternative approach to both surfing and life. Photo: Connor Guest
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"We’re in a very powerful time in history," says Leah Dawson. "I've felt for a long time that the women’s story has been a bit misguided by the men that have run the surf industry. I feel like for myself, I have a duty to nurture our culture because I love it so much." Photo: Connor Guest
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"I think that as long as you're following something that make you happy and fills you up and engages your mind, body, and spirit in good healthy ways, that’s perfect," said Kassia Meador. Photo: Connor Guest
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"For me, dancing out of the water was my passion. I love salsa and all types of movement." Photo: Connor Guest
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Dawson, Meador, and Mignot from Left to right. Photo: Connor Guest
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We wanted to better understand each woman’s approach living a fulfilling life and to meaningfully engage with El Salvador’s beautiful culture. Photo: Connor Guest
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"I want to see my grandkids being able to play in a clean ocean," says Leah Dawson. "Am I honestly scared of what the earth is going to look like in 50 years? Yeah. It’s more than consumption. To me, it’s addiction." Photo: Connor Guest
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Kassia Meador has become synonymous with style and grace in modern longboarding. She’s also revolutionized design for women’s wetsuits through her brand Kassia+Surf. Photo: Connor Guest
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"When I was little all I wanted to do was hang with the boys and surf short board," said Mignot. "Once I got on a longboard, for me, that was it." Photo: Ryan Trautwein
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"I want to be a mother of our surf culture," says Leah Dawson. "We need as many mothers as we can get." Photo: Connor Guest
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“Pretty much on the first day we met Sindy out in the water,” said Dawson. “She had the biggest smile on her face. You couldn’t not see her. We were communicating back and forth really finding out about women and life in El Salvador and by day three of four of our trip we realized that Sindy was the purpose of our trip.” Photo: Connor Guest
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"When I was a kid, if you told me I was going to be a pro surfer, I would have said, 'You’re trippin’,” said Kassia Meador. "Like, I'll never be able to do that. Because society tells you everything is impossible, because this seems so far-fetched and so far away from reality." Photo: Connor Guest
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The point break at Libertad from above. Photos: Connor Guest
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"Let [surfing] be our time of worship, thanking the sky and the stars and the sun that we’re able to be here and play on earth’s energy," said Dawson. Photo: Connor Guest
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When a boat to waves is part of your day, the day is a good day. Photos: The Inertia
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"It's not a competition," said Dawson. Ever."Photo: Connor Guest
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"I think the most important thing we can do as humans is to be true to ourselves and to do what feels good, and a lot of times what is good is not only good for us but good for others," said Dawson. Photo: Ryan Trautwein
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"I think surfing makes us stewards of the earth and protectors of the earth," said Dawson. "I’m just excited for surfers to really step into that role, and I’m doing my best to learn every day how I can do that better and more effectively, but even more so, how can we bring each other together so our voice maximizes and goes to the ends of the earth.” Photo: Connor Guest
In Summer of 2018, The Inertia traveled to El Salvador with Kassia Meador, Leah Dawson, and Lola Mignot, three outstanding women who are inspiring the next generation of ocean lovers through their alternative approach to both surfing and life. Each has developed a powerful voice in surfing and has managed to do so on her own terms.
“We’re in a very powerful time in history,” said Leah Dawson. “I’ve felt for a long time that the women’s story has been a bit misguided by the men that have run the surf industry. I feel like for myself, I have a duty to nurture our culture, because I love it so much. Because it’s given me so much happiness and opportunity throughout my life that I feel like a mother. I want to be a mother of our surf culture, because we need as many mothers as we can get.”
“To any of the young girls out there or even to women getting into surfing at a later time in their life, it’s such an empowering tool,” said Kassia Meador. “It’s something that’s so beautiful to gain your own personal energy and strength and push yourself and own every aspect of yourself. Surfing helps give you the tools to navigate that and navigate life in different ways.”
While surfing in Las Flores, we had the good fortune of meeting Sindy Portillo, the only local female surfer in her community.
“Pretty much on the first day we met Sindy out in the water,” said Dawson. “She had the biggest smile on her face. You couldn’t not see her. We were communicating back and forth really finding out about women and life in El Salvador and by day three of four of our trip we realized that Sindy was the purpose of our trip.”
“For many, it’s difficult to be a woman in El Salvador,” said Sindy. “Women work and struggle to make a living. It’s not easy most of the time. My dream is to be a longboard champion and represent El Salvador and Las Flores all of the time.”
Thursday, we’ll launch Alternativa on The Inertia for all to see, and as part of the project’s launch, we’re also launching a GoFundMe to make Sindy’s dreams come true. We’re hoping to raise enough money for her to represent El Salvador and participate in the Mexi Log Fest with Kassia, Leah, and Lola next year.
You can check out and share the GoFundMe here, and we can’t wait to share this film with you.
All photos by Connor Guest and Ryan Trautwein.
Special thanks to AST Adventures, Vionic Beach, and Growlerwerks for making this project possible.
