Gold Coast Welcomes Three New Female-Led Boardrider Clubs Under The NRMA Insurance RISE Program

The NRMA Insurance RISE is expanding its national women and girls surfing initiative, by officially welcoming three new female-driven social boardrider clubs on the Gold Coast: Slide Sisters, Thrive Surf Therapy, and Sirens Surf Club.

The addition of these three community-rooted clubs marks a significant milestone for the NRMA Insurance RISE program, which continues to empower women and girls through surfing, leadership development, and grassroots community building.

Meet the New Gold Coast Clubs: Why They Started and What Drives Them

Each of the three new Gold Coast clubs joining the NRMA Insurance RISE program was founded for a different reason, but they’re united by a shared belief: that surfing should be welcoming, inclusive and led by women who understand the power of community.

For Jade Jardine, the idea behind Slide Sisters was simple — to remove pressure and create a space where women could belong.
“I wanted to create a space where women could show up exactly as they are — no pressure, no expectations, just community,” Jade explains. What began as a way to connect women through a shared love of the ocean has now evolved into a recognised boardrider club, providing structure, legitimacy and new opportunities for members to grow both in and out of the water.

At the heart of Slide Sisters is inclusivity. Jade has seen many women arrive without prior surf club experience, often feeling unsure if they truly belong. Through accessible sessions, mentorship and a deeply supportive environment, Slide Sisters is redefining what a surf community can look like. “We’re showing that surfing is for everyone — not just elite athletes or long-time locals.”

For Amanda Curtis, founder of Thrive Surf Therapy, the ocean has always been more than a playground — it’s been a teacher. With a background in Exercise Science and mental health support, Amanda has witnessed first-hand the profound impact surf therapy can have on individuals, families and communities.
“Thrive Surf Therapy was founded from a deep desire to make the ocean — and all its lessons — accessible to everyone,” she says.

Through surf therapy programs, adaptive surfing, retreats and now a boardrider club, Thrive is creating pathways for people who face physical, mental or emotional barriers to getting in the water regularly. But the vision goes beyond surfing. “This club is about so much more than surfing — it’s about thriving,” Amanda explains. Her goal is to build a legacy of inclusion, wellbeing and respect for the natural environment, where joy, connection and belonging define success, and where members can find their way back to the ocean — and to themselves.

Meanwhile, Sirens Surf Club was born from Teigan Woollard’s desire to increase female presence and leadership in the lineup.
“I wanted to build a surf community that creates space for women in the lineup in a diverse, energetic and supportive environment,” Teigan shares. The boardrider club model felt like a natural evolution — formalising a culture that was already thriving and giving it a platform to grow.

Visibility is central to Sirens’ mission. Teigan believes that when women see other women leading lineups, running clubs, hosting competitions and shaping surf culture, it changes what feels possible. “It normalises our presence,” she says. “Our goal is to make sure the next generation of girls sees surfing as a place where they belong.”

Together, Slide Sisters, Thrive Surf Therapy and Sirens Surf Club represent a powerful shift — one where women are not only participating in surfing, but actively shaping its future through leadership, inclusion and community connection.

Competition Announcement: Win The Ultimate New Boardrider Club Experience

To celebrate the growth of the NRMA Insurance RISE network, a new nationwide competition will run from early December until 31 March 2026. Any newly registered female boardrider club joining the NRMA Insurance RISE program during this period will automatically go into the draw to win the Ultimate Boardrider Pack – a prize bundle designed to support and develop our new women led boardrider club.

This initiative aims to encourage even more communities to form inclusive, women-led surfing hubs that foster connection, confidence and capability both on and off the beach.

A New Wave of Women and Girls

The integration of Slide Sisters, Thrive Surf Therapy and Sirens Surf Club into the NRMA Insurance RISE program reinforces a powerful message: women across Australia are reshaping surfing communities from the ground up. With the Ultimate New Boardrider Club Experience competition encouraging more clubs to form or join, the momentum behind female surf leadership has never been stronger.

To start your own women’s and girls’ boardrider club email shanice@surfingaustralia.com