On February 12, the Madamsurf adventure, a 100% female sports media, is launched by journalist Lauriane Negron. A creation starting first of all from a passion for surfing and later, from an awareness of the lack of media representations of professional surfers. "Madamsurf, We're going to make waves!" is a media available in the form of videos and mini articles telling the story of the different professions in the world of surfing and the many women exercising them. Fans of skiing can find these videos and articles on Youtube and Instagram. To better answer the question: What is Madamsurf ? Just Focus went to meet its young designer Lauriane Negron. " READ ALSO – FOOTBALL : THE 7 FRENCH WASTED TALENTS OF MODERN FOOTBALL
Why did you create your own media Madamsurf ? And where did you get the idea to do it?
L.N. The idea came to me when I started surfing and around people who practice surfing, especially female surfers. They explained to me that there was a real gap between women and men in this sport. I had no idea that there was still a gap in this sport and even a little bit of machismo and inequalities in pay and competitions. Subsequently, I realized that there was no media dedicated to women's sports. There are a few sections dedicated to them in media that are focused on men's surfing. Because of this, there are many women who were talking about it and waiting for a 100% female media. Finally… I had the feeling. I thought there was something I could do about it.
As you said, you are also a surfer, what were the first reactions to the creation of your 100% female sports media?
L.N. At the very beginning, the people I talked to when it was just an idea, I had a lot of positive feedback. At first, I talked about it mostly to girls who are surfers or non-surfers but who are interested anyway and I had a lot of feedback that it was a good idea and that there was something to do. The word that often came up is that it was "unique" as there is no other and that I had my place to take at this level. When we started asking surfers to do interviews, they were all delighted because they had noticed this discrepancy and they wanted to talk about their problems getting sponsors because surfers are still seen as mermaids or models.
On May 10th, your subscribers were able to discover the first video of Madamsurf dedicated to Marion alias Surfista, can you tell us about this interview?
L.N. Marion's work is what we call a shaper. It is a person who makes the boards and repairs them. In fact, it is a profession that is very masculine and always has been. There are very few women in France or Europe who make a living from this profession. There are some who try to get started but those who really live are maybe 2 or 3 women in France and Europe. The idea was to present her, to show her daily life for those who do not know this profession and then to have her opinion on the opening of this profession to more women. We also talked about whether there were any changes made recently to open up the profession of shaper to women or not at all. It's an interview about her job and her vision of women's surfing. With Madamsurf, we want to talk about surfers but also about all the ancillary jobs exercised by women in connection with this sport. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbfdKtQlj6I
Currently, Madamsurf can be found on Youtube and Instagram. Do you plan to open a website soon?
L.N. I started the Facebook page but it is not launched yet. I would like to have a website after it's a lot of work but it's something I'm preparing with a former colleague who is a web designer. At the moment, we work from time to time on the site but it's true that all this is work, costs and as I start my own business I must have time to set everything up. Because I am a journalist/director by training, I work for production companies for shows like Crimes, Retrouvailles or documentaries. Therefore, it takes me a lot of time and to reconcile the two is quite hard. But I am still very happy to have started with Madamsurf because I am finally self-employed.
What are the next projects for Madamsurf ?
L.N. I will leave for ten days in the Landes, to meet a woman who with her husband set up a Surf Lodge a few years ago now. It was one of the first Surf Lodge at the time that was being set up. We will also talk about his passion for surfing, his management of the Lodge, his work as a surf teacher and his family life. With this meeting, I wanted to show how she manages her daily life. I also have a big day in Brittany, we will talk about handisurfing, waste collection and yoga. In Brittany, there is an event organized on these topics so I will cover this event all day. And then I would like to cover apart if it is canceled, the 100% women's France open organized on June 19 and 20 in Lacanau. Recently, I was also in contact with the longboard France champion to do an interview.
If you had to define Madamsurf in a few words what would you say?
L.N. It is a media with a feminist imprint. The idea is to talk about female surfing and surfers who are not just blonde mermaids. There are many different types of surfers, there is not a typical model. So you have to accept us as you are. Madamsurf is in this sense a committed media.