HI, I'M LEONIE!

Leonie is a Surf Photographer, Surf Retreat Organiser, Podcast Host and Online Educator who specialises in helping female ocean lovers create a life that deeply fulfils them.  

 Surfgirlnz was founded when in 2022 when she bought her first digital water housing. She started capturing women in the surf in Whaingaroa (Raglan), a small beach town on the west coast of Aotearoa New Zealand, and shared these pictures on social media. The response was overwhelming. Leonie quickly realised how under-represented women in the water are (still). She received so many messages from women all over the world saying that they were looking for something she found in Whaingaroa: a surf girl community of like-minded women. Leonie knew she had to create a platform to bring more women together. That's how Surfgirlnz was born.

Over the past 2 years, Surfgirlnz has become much more than just a surf platform for women. Besides capturing women in the surf and organising surf events and retreats, Leonie now also teaches women how to become a professional surf photographer and how to grow 10k Instagram followers in 90 days with her online courses. She is on a mission to help women create a life that deeply fulfils them. 

CREDENTIALS

Leonie's background is in design (flooring design). She grew up in the Netherlands and studied Design in Amsterdam where she first discovered her love for photography. After visiting New Zealand for a holiday she decided to quit her job and move to Whaingaroa (Raglan). Leonie learned how to surf, take photos in the water and now spends most of her time in the ocean whilst being surrounded by a beautiful community of women.

Published and interviewed in many different places, including FIFA & Surfline, Leonie captured over 1500 female surfers in the water, organised 7 surf events around New Zealand and 6 overseas surf retreats (in partnership with Tessa from Climaxsurfwax) and mentors her community of 300+ (aspiring) business owners, teaching them exactly how to build a soul-led business.