Meet Sanu, the first female surf instructor of Sri Lanka
We can’t run Layback without our incredible team. In these series, we’ll introduce to you some of the superstars who are part of team Layback. The first one to kick it off is our lovely Sanu.
Sanu came to work at Layback as a receptionist, assistant management after she lost her job as kitchen helper at another surfcamp. After a while we asked her if she would be interested in becoming a surf instructor being an awesome surfer herself. At first she was a bit hesitant and shy but later we understood it actually was her big dream to become a surf instructor. Obviously, we wanted to support her making this dream a reality. However, we didn’t wanna push her so we let it go and waited for her to feel ready and up for it. When she was, she was of course still nervous (who wouldn’t be!). But we made sure to take it slow. She was first trained and guided by Thilina and her brother Anju. A few months later we signed her up for the ISA course and now she's an internationally certified surf coach and moreover the first female surf instructor of Sri Lanka. We couldn’t be more proud of her!
Sanu’s story is a story about chasing dreams, about following your heart despite society’s expectations. We hope it will inspire you as much as she inspired us!
Please find hereunder a short Q&A with Sanu to get to know her better and to learn about the choices she made!
When did you start surfing?
I started surfing in October 2018. My brother Anju was very much into surfing and I was also interested to learn. My first experience with surfing was with the organization Sea Sisters and afterwards Anju also encouraged me and helped me improve.
Surfing is (still) predominantly a male oriented activity in Sri Lanka. Was it challenging for you as a girl to start surfing?
YES, it was. In the beginning my parents were also not supportive and hesitant to let me surf. They felt more comfortable when my brother was joining me. Also, it felt a bit awkward for me being in the line up while everyone was just staring at me since nobody was used to seeing a local girl surf. So it was weird and definitely not easy. After a while people got to know me and it became more normal for them to see me in the water so it became more comfortable for me as well.
What does surfing mean to you, ie how does it make you feel?
Looking back I think surfing has been the turning point in my life. It gave me so many opportunities, eg building a life for myself, having a good job, meeting people. It brought me so much (for instance I met my now husband in the line up ;)) and I was able to make history re female surfing. So I feel very grateful and blessed that I pushed through and continued surfing despite what people thought of me.
When I am in the line up I always feel free and only focused on the waves. I’m trying to catch good waves and I love to enjoy them all the way to the beach. This is pure happiness to me!
Last season you started teaching at Layback as the first female surf instructor of Sri Lanka. How was this for you?
I always had the dream of being the first female surf instructor of Sri Lanka. And suddenly it was happening! It was surreal and I can say I’m very happy and also proud of myself.
That doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Making the dream come true is more difficult than having a dream. So with all things new, it’s challenging. Even more so because Sri Lankan society (eg old beliefs about girls/women) and culture is not used to (local) girls surfing yet, let alone girls being a surf instructor. So sometimes it’s difficult and challenging being the only girl in a male only environment. Not everyone is supportive and/or approves. People talk behind my back, make negative comments and so on. Although a shift towards more independence and empowerment of girls and women has started, Sri Lanka still has a long way to go when it comes to gender equality, respecting women’s rights and appreciating girls the same way as they appreciate boys.
I feel grateful that Layback is actively supporting local girls/women (they also have two women working as chefs which is also quite unusual) and especially for their belief in me. At first I said no to teaching because I was a bit scared but they guided me and pushed me out of my comfort zone. By doing do they have given me the confidence and the opportunity to follow my dream. And now I’m Sri Lanka’s first female surf instructor :)
Also, all the guests at Layback have been great and very supportive which also gives me strength to continue doing what I love the most!
What would your advice be for all the little girls in Sri Lanka dreaming about their future?
My advice for them would be to follow your dreams, despite society’s expectations and demands.
Discover your unique talents, do what you love the most, what makes you happy and continue doing this. Follow your bliss! Don’t listen to what people may say, believe and/or think, follow your own unique path.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future?
I’d once read ‘more than half your beauty is your personality’ and it’s so true. I always strive to be a good person both in and out of the water. Further, I’d like to grow as an instructor and become better each day!
On a different note, in the future I’d like to travel and discover and experience new countries.
If you wanna see and hear more about Sanu and her story, please watch the following clip:
Photo & video by Jordyn Romero @wearelikewaves