about us
The first ever Chicks with Sticks event was held on 17th July 2009, at The Carnmarth Hotel's Marquee, in Newquay, Cornwall.
Chicks with Sticks concept evolved from an impromptu photoshoot at Anka point in Morocco (surfer girls donning recycled fancy dress and rubber gloves to raise awareness for environmental issues) into a whole day dedicated to raising money for good causes and celebrating the female surfing revolution. (see the gallery for the morocco photoshot)

The event was held at the Carnmarth Hotel%u2019s fabulous Marquee which kept the ladies nice and dry as the weather was typical for our British summer %u2013 constant rain! The marquee housed stalls from Peeler surf shop, Chilled Turtle clothing, Lazy Waves Photography, Surf Girl Magazine, Cornwall Surfer Girls, plus local charity PANTS and international organisation Soul Surfers Foundation. These were two of the three charities Chicks with Sticks was raising money for, with the third being for the English Surfing Federation to set up a girls only fund to support the future of UK female surfing - who were offering ladies only surf lessons through the Ripcurl Surf School (next door).

Activities on the day included girls only surf lessons; fitness and pilates sessions with Carolyn Andrews and Amy Swanson; a girlie makeover corner with hairdresser Lorena Fox and body paint artist Sarah George; a cake baking competition; a chance to get creative and %u201Cmake your own bunting%u201D and a surfing %u201Cbring and buy%u201D sale! Surfers Against Sewage were there to spread the word about their amazing work, as well as The Eden Project who lent their 6%u20196 %u201Ceco board%u201D for ladies to test drive in the surf (which was 3ft and clean!)

The evening kicked off with environmental photographer and artist Andy Hughes introducing his work and talking about his new book %u201CThe Dominant Wave%u201D. The Surf Screen played eco and girlie films whilst guests feasted on a free BBQ provided by Oakley Surf Sistas.

Solo artist October got everyone in the mood with her rocking style, followed by a huge prize giveaway with goodies from Oakley, Roxy, Big Friday, Quiksilver Surf School, Ethics Girls.com, Tolcarne Surf Shacks plus a holiday to Morocco courtesy of Surf Maroc! Surf Girl%u2019s art contest winner Julie Rhodes was presented with a special %u201CChicks with Sticks%u201D mounted Polaroid and a custom-made wetsuit from Neon.

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A huge thank you goes out to every one that was involved, supported, donated and celebrated Chicks with Sticks %u2013 the day was a huge success; we raised a total of %uFFFD411.86!!! The money was split 3 ways between our charities so check out the Charities page to see what good work they've been up to.
