The not-for-profit organisation Surfing Mums Australia has groups across the country that provide the opportunity for mothers to surf while their children are cared for.

SMA secretary Dr Danya Hodgetts said the Yeppoon Main Beach in central Queensland does not always cater to surfers, so the local group has had to adapt.

“Because there’s not really great waves, we’re doing stand-up paddleboarding,” she said.

“You come to the beach once a week and you partner up with another mum — one mum watches your kids and theirs while you go out and have a paddle, and then you go back in and swap over and they get a paddle as well.

“The other thing I’ve found, which I hadn’t really thought about, is the kids have a really great time as well.”

As a research fellow at CQ University studying sport, Dr Hodgetts said the meets were also a vital way for mothers to get fit.

“Our physical activity guidelines say that we need to do five lots of 30 minutes of exercise a week, plus two lots of strength and conditioning,” she said.

“As a mum, that is incredibly hard to try and find the time to carve out those on your own.

“It’s really good for your balance … and it’s also really good for your core muscles.

“As mums that area tends to go a little bit, so being able to do the paddling can really help that.”

Source
ABC News