We recently connected with Vanessa Yeager and have shared our conversation below.

Vanessa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project that I have worked on is the Facebook group I created in 2014 Women Who Surf.

It started as a small group of women in Orange County, California and it was originally meant to be a group of women who surf who were mothers. The whole point was to create a community so we could help one another and surf more. As time passed and more and more requests to join came in I took a vote and we decided as a group to open it up to all women who surf. Now it is the largest all womens’ surfing group in the world. I was nominated last year for a community creator award at the Facebook summit awards. I am so grateful to have been recognized for this group. I have been running it alone for the last 8.5 years and have watched it grow to 25k WWS. I have always dreamed of surfing being my full time job and this group has opened so many doors for me and has brought me closer to achieving my dreams. Community is beautiful and this group of women are my biggest supporters.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I moved to Newport Beach, California at age 18 with a dream of pursuing surfing and traveling as my lifestyle/career. I attended Orange Coast College and my very first class was surfing with Coach Laird. That class changed my life and introduced me to people I am still friends with to this day. From there I went on to get my degree in kinesiology and physical education with the intention of becoming a surf coach. I wanted to help others achieve their dreams of surfing. Fast forward to where I am now and I am here. Teaching surfing as much as possible privately, working at the local high school with kids with special needs as a resident sub which gives me a flexible schedule and allows me to take time off if I need to travel and or surf. I also now am on the board of directors for the International Surfing Museum in Huntington Beach which is so fun and teaches me about surf history and those who have came before me. I am super blessed to work with some real legends in the surfing world. Among all my jobs I also have created two online communities on Facebook which are Women Who Surf and the Latinx Surf club. Both communities promote surfing and are safe spaces for surfers of all levels.

I am beyond proud of all the work that I do and it is all super rewarding. From the kids at the high school to the adults and children I teach surfing to on the weekends. I am living out my own dreams. I would say that my brand is surfing community. I am a Latina who surfs, a woman who surfs, a mother, teacher… etc etc… There is no other life I would want and I am grateful to be where I am all while visioning what the future holds for myself and these communities that I have created.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creator is the amount of love and support that I feel from these communities. They have been with me for years and have grown with me in my journey of surfing. There is nothing better than feeling supported when pursuing your dreams.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The goal and mission has always been to provide these groups with a loving supportive community that really focuses on positive vibes.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: womenwhosurf_
• Facebook: Women Who Surf
• Other: @latinxsurfclub as well as the group on Facebook Latinx Surf Club