FEATURE SISTER BUNTIE

Angelina Pallisier
Sep 23
4 min read

Meet our September Sister

This month we’re celebrating Buntie— who has joined us not once, but twice! 🙌

Buntie took the leap to join her first retreat in Lombok, November 2024, putting herself first even when it felt scary. On her second retreat, just finished in the Philippines, she realised just how far she’d come: catching green waves, trimming across them, and actually having fun in the water.

Her words say it best:

“Surfing has helped me realise I can do hard things in all aspects of my life.”

From fear of the ocean to feeling at ease in the lineup, her journey is a reminder that the more you show up for yourself, the more you grow — both in and out of the water. 💙

Two retreats down… and she’s just getting started!

*Buntie surfing and drinking coconuts in the Philippines*

What first inspired you to join a Sisterhood of Surf retreat and How was your 2nd retreat compared to your first experience?

I had been to a one day event with SOS at the Sunshine Coast, following the adventures of sisters travelling on retreats abroad with Angie and I took the leap I needed to book my first trip to Lombok not really knowing how I was going to make it work but determined to do it. I knew I needed to finally put myself first and do something for myself even if it was getting myself out of my comfort zone. BEST decision EVER!

How has learning to surf changed you — in or out of the water?

Honestly, I think it has quite possibly saved my life. The past 5 years have been a lot, surfing and being in the ocean brings peace, calm as well as smacking you (quite literally) in the face and making you be present in the moment. I now know there is a place where I can go to feel this whenever I want. Surfing has helped me to realise I can do hard things in all aspects of my life.

Was there a moment when you thought: “Wow, I can actually do this”? Take us to where you were.

The trip I have just returned from with SOS to the Philippines I realised how far I had come in my surfing journey. The feeling of catching green waves by yourself (some of the time) and trimming across the waves is a feeling like no other. I felt at ease, calm and actually having fun in the water.

What fears or doubts did you have starting out, and how did you move through them?

I had massive fears in the water itself. I grew up in the countryside of England so not at the beach. The rips, waves, deep water and power of the ocean were very scary to me and for a long time it felt like I wouldn’t make it to catching my own waves. Persistence and trying not to get frustrated with the slow progress helps but very natural when you are learning later in life. I don’t think I have ever taken so long to learn something in my life! I’m still learning every time I enter the ocean and now love that.

What does sisterhood mean to you after being part of this community?

Sisterhood is a group of like minded women who are vulnerable to share their story (everyone has one) but really we are all alike. Everyone has a story to tell and each sister I have met on the trips with SOS has listened, accepted and not judged. When you leave the retreat you feel it, like a piece of you is missing from the group of women you just spent 8 days with.

Dream surf destination?

Hawaii and Sri Lanka. Siargao in the Philippines will definitely be somewhere I return to! The local people, the waves and island vibes are what makes it.

Song that gets you pumped before a surf?

Unstoppable by Sia.

Favorite post-surf snack or drink?

Definitely a coffee especially in Australia. If it is cold I love a long black with a bit of almond milk.

From Angie to Buntie.

Buntie, I got pretty emotional talking with you at the end of the retreat. We both had a moment as honestly I was sitting with a completely different woman. From you joining us in November and on your first surf session, you were not in a good place. You were scared and you thought you had booked the wrong trip. But I ensured you were exactly where you were meant to be. To witnessing the change that week in your confidence in the surf. But it wasn't the surf for me, I saw you come to life outside of the water. After the trip, you brought your children along to our new years day surf and I instanstly saw a difference in the energy you held.

I was so excited to see that you booked the Philippines. And what a week we had. So proud of you. You are such an amazing woman and I'm grateful I got to spend another week with you.

Love ya sis x