Every Body Surf: Book Review

We’re always on the hunt for a good read between surfs and on rainy days. Recently we had the pleasure of receiving Carolina Amell’s latest book in our laps. Every Body Surf: A Tribute to Self-Love and Sisterhood. We’ve enjoyed turning the pages and being inspired by the women featured at every turn! This is a beautiful one for your coffee table. And to give you a little taster, you can find a little write up from us below.

At first glance……

At first glance, Every Body Surf has us dreaming of tropical surf trips in our swimsuits and how surfing can be such an artful source of expression. However it moves so far beyond the dreamy surf aesthetic. This book redefines surf culture through the lens of inclusivity, body positivity, and celebrates women taking social action in surfing to break down barriers in the surf space and redefine what it means to be a female surfer. Not only does the author document the stories of many incredible women in surf community and how the ocean has helped shaped them, it’s also creates a visually striking reminder through beautiful imagery that the ocean is for Every Body—no matter your shape, size or background.

Stories That Resonate

The book is formatted so each chapter celebrates the diverse range of women in the surf, each blazing her own trail. I think surfing often represents a narrow demographic and it felt refreshing to read about women from across five different continents! A personal highlight was reading the piece on surfer and activist Lucy Small who I’d met previously at her film premiere for Ceibo Surf Film. A lot of these women like Anaïs Pierquet I follow on instagram and reading their stories made me feel more connected and inspired than before. Instagram interactions can often be fleeting in my eyes and not help you formulate a full perception of someone.

After each story, I felt reminded of how powerful we are as women and how transformational surfing has been for so many of us in finding our voice, inner confidence and self-love that transcends to all aspects of our lives! We don’t need to be dictated by the surf industry’s beauty standards!

Visually Stunning

One of the standout elements of the book is its photography. We really see this as life in motion. Not curated or posed, no “fit check.” Just unfiltered moments. We’re not looking at the best hang 10 or gnarly barrel, just women enjoying surf and each other’s company. Laughing, wiping out and sharing waves! And the to top it off, we LOVE that so many of these shots have been captured by female surfs photographers!

Why This Book is Important

Traditionally the surf media has represented women in a way that has been heavily sexualised and leaning towards a certain aesthetic. Although things have definitely improved in the last decade, we still need to push to make the surf space more accessible to women of all backgrounds, shapes, age, sizes and ethnicities.

As well as this the Surf Media, again whilst taking steps increasing representation in the surfing spaces and making minority voice heard, still has steps to go.

In our eyes, Every Body Surf is really pivotal in pushing for more diverse representation and that all voices need to be heard. I feel the message is that any women can go surfing and enjoy the ocean! You don’t need to look a certain way or be from a certain place!

Final Thoughts

Every Body Surf: A Tribute to Self-Love and Sisterhood is a celebration of the incredible and inspiring women in the surfing community who are living their best lives both in and out the water. It’s the kind of book you’ll gift to your surfer bestie, keep on your coffee table, pull out on a rainy day or pick up when you need a gentle reminder of how magical surfing can be and how capable you are!

Thank you Caroline, for sending us this booked, we’ve loved every page! If you want to pick up your own copy – Click Here