Chicks On Sticks
By Anne Beasley
Published in Eastern Surf Magazine, 2000
After sixty two stitches, plastic surgery, and a new wetsuit, fourteen-year-old Talia Gursky is surfing again. In fact she’s helping a group of women surfers, Chicks on Sticks, with a women’s learn to surf instructional program. It was Talia’s first lesson with Chicks on Sticks two years ago that she learned a fin can do more than make a nice bottom turn; it can leave a terrifying large gash in your leg.
“Talia is a very gutsy young girl,� says Hollie Stilwell, one of the founders of Chicks on Sticks. “After all she’s been through, she still wanted to surf. She overcame her fear and is now actually assisting us with classes.�
Chicks On Sticks is based in the small town of Narragansett, Rhode Island. The coast is mostly rocky shore-lines with point breaks offering a good mix of lefts and rights. South and Southeast swells generate long clean lines and if the winds shift, it’s possible to surf one spot in the morning and score another perfect spot in the afternoon.
Hollie Stilwell and her sister Kira grew up close to the ocean and it occurred to them a few years ago to take up surfing. Along with good friend Jennifer Sadoski they mused about forming a phone tree with the women surfers they met along the way. That small thought has blossomed into Chicks On Sticks, a very active and successful non-profit organization for
women surfers.
“We offer a women’s instructional surfing program every summer, surf spot beach clean ups, and an annual smoke free three-band bash benefiting the American Lung Association,� says Kira, who is an Exericise Physiologist at the University of Rhode Island.
If that’s not enough, Chicks also provided the much needed push for the re-instatement of the Rhode Island chapter Surfrider Foundation. The RI chapter fizzled out a few years ago, so Chicks donated money from one of their fundraisers toward forming a new Surfrider Chapter. “We needed some guys to get into a group so they could hang out with our Chicks,� Kira jokes. “Actually it was a matter of introductory and organizational issues. It was something we had learned forming Chicks On Sticks, so we used our knowledge to help Surfrider.�
After re-establishing the Foundation and electing officers, they threw an awareness function to get the word out. A local photographer was invited for a slide show, along with good food, some prizes, and a silent auction. An expected turnout of 25-30, turned into a crowd of 170 people!
Last Spring the National Chapter recognized the RI chapter. “Chicks has helped us organize and realize things really can happen,� says Jon Buser, RI Surfrider Member. “Our main action now centers around Quonset Point, an old Navy installation, a big industrial mess, which may just turn into a mega port for container ships.�
Rhode Island Surfrider has joined forces with the Sierra Club, Save The Bay, The Green Party, and Clean Water Action in opposition of the mega port. “Large ships would stir up the bay, disturbing shell fish, impacting the fishing community, the tourist industry, not too mention the possibility of shipping disasters; the repurcussions go on and on,� says Buser.
Buser says Chicks On Sticks has effectively promoted good will between land owners and surfers, something Surfrider has tried to do all along. “Their beach clean ups are focused on surf spots. A lot of fishing gear washes up around here. The landowners see what these women are doing and realize it’s a good thing.�
Buser also commends them on their instructional program, saying it offers the security and attention needed for beginner surfers. He knows how intimidating learning to surf can be. After all Jon started surfing at age 30!
Hollie and Kira agree Chicks has introduced more women to the water. Since Chicks began in 1996, the summer instructional program (which costs only $20 for four lessons over a month, a manual, and a t -shirt) has taught almost 200 girls and women surfing basics. “My best days this summer have been with the girls,� says Kira. “Getting these little girls to ride and watching there faces glow when they catch a wave, well it’s a real feel good thing�
Chicks On Sticks has taken on a life of its own. Now when Kira, Hollie, and Jennifer charge the winter surf line-up in 40 degree water, they are likely to be greeted by a handful of other women.
Chicks on Sticks have members in Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New York. Contact Kira at Chicks on Sticks headquarters: P.O. Box #621, Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-1336.
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