by Garth Meyer
An organization to pair surfing with babysitting has come to Redondo Beach.
Surfing Moms was co-founded in September on Oahu by Palos Verdes native Anna Shoemaker and Australian Dr. Elizabeth Madin, the latter of whom ran a chapter of “Surfing Mums” in Australia.
In 2018, five to ten mothers (from a mailing list of 400) were meeting each week at Oahu’s Kailua Beach and talked about following the lead of the Australians, who had 32 chapters.
“Like-minded, ocean-minded mamas,” Shoemaker said, describing the group.
When the pandemic hit, she and Madin decided to start an official non-profit. Using GoFundMe to raise start-up costs, they hired an attorney and an accountant, filed papers and launched.
“I haven’t ever surfed as much as I do now, as a mom,” said Shoemaker, vice president.
Redondo Beach is the group’s sixth chapter.
It meets Sunday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m at the Topaz Jetty, or Torrance Beach, depending on conditions. Members pay a $50 annual fee.
“We joke that it’s a dollar a week for free babysitting,” Shoemaker said.
At the weekly meet-up, each mother gets an hour in the water, before a swap out with the others babysitting.
“It’s geared toward moms of younger kids that need that break, that community,” said Redondo chapter leader Candace Stalder. “It can be very isolating as a mom — especially as a new mom.”
The original plan was to call the Redondo group the South Bay chapter, but Shoemaker suggested there would be a Hermosa Beach chapter to come and a Manhattan Beach.
The Redondo chapter now has four members.
Stalder, a former Redondo Union High School girls surf team coach (2003-05), was encouraged to start the local chapter after meeting Shoemaker three years ago in the waves at Torrance beach.
The group is open to swimmers as well, however someone wants to spend that hour at the beach.
“Caregivers in general are welcome, and we welcome all visitors and guests,” Shoemaker said.
Surfing Moms members may attend a gathering of any chapter, including the three others now in California: San Francisco, Marin County and Santa Cruz. ER
