Today we’d like to introduce you to Avery Hatfield.
Hi Avery, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, where I spent my entire childhood. After graduating high school, I left home to attend college, living in both South and Central Florida. Following my time at UCF (Go Knights!), I felt a strong pull to return home; I was eager to be close to my family and pursue a career in the research field.
Professionally, I found fulfillment and success, but personally, I felt something missing: a true sense of community. That changed in September 2023 when I happened to visit Ink Factory Brewing and discovered Sisters of the Sea (SOS) hosting their post-competition celebration for their 25th Annual SOS Surf Classic. After talking to some of the members and volunteers, I was immediately drawn to their mission and such a powerful sense of connection.
At the time, I didn’t really know how to surf, but I was so inspired by the passion and camaraderie. I eventually learned and was welcomed wholeheartedly, even as a beginner stepping into such a challenging sport as an adult. Since then, I’ve attended monthly meetups, built meaningful friendships, and even competed in the 26th Annual SOS Surf Classic.
My journey with SOS has been incredibly rewarding and transformative. I’ve grown from a general member to serving as the organization’s website administrator, then joining the social media team, and now stepping into the role of Executive Director. It’s been an honor to contribute to a community that has given me so much and continues to empower women through connection, confidence, and a shared love of the ocean.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely wasn’t a smooth road. I’m naturally a pretty shy person, so even approaching members at that post-comp event to ask about Sisters of the Sea felt like a big step. After I’d joined, I remember going to a few first Sunday meetups by myself and feeling totally awkward introducing myself, especially since I wasn’t even surfing yet.
As I got more involved with SOS, there was also a real sense of imposter syndrome that crept in. So many surfers grow up in the sport, and here I was learning as an adult, trying to find my place in a culture that has such deep roots. I always wanted to be respectful of that culture while also helping create a space where other women, especially those like me who didn’t grow up surfing, could feel welcomed, supported, and comfortable stepping into it for the first time.
That feeling didn’t completely go away, even later on. When I stepped into the Executive Director role, it felt both exciting and incredibly intimidating. I wanted to be sure I was truly ready and capable of helping SOS grow into something even greater than it already was, while staying true to its mission and the community it serves.
Every new chapter has come with its own challenges, but through it all, I’ve been met with so much kindness and support. I’m incredibly grateful that I kept pushing myself outside of my comfort zone and leaned on the community around me as I grew into this role.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Sisters of the Sea?
Sisters of the Sea (SOS) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Jacksonville Beach, FL that provides opportunities for women and girls in surfing. We gather for monthly surf meetups, beach cleanups, skills clinics, volunteer opportunities, and we now have a surf team, which we’ve never had before. We believe if you’ve been surfing for years or haven‘t found your balance on a board (yet), Sisters of the Sea is for you. For almost 30 years, we‘ve been giving back to our community and empowering female surfers and environmental stewardesses of all ages, backgrounds, and surfing abilities. Through SOS, we‘ve found enhanced well-being, connection, and community.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I really enjoy engaging with mental health and well-being content, along with more lighthearted, “whimsical” creators on platforms like Instagram and Substack. That kind of content has helped me better understand people and approach others with more compassion and empathy, both in my personal life and in leadership spaces.
I also spend a lot of time watching surfing videos and films, which continue to inspire me and deepen my connection to the sport. Some of my favorites include “Leave a Message”, “This One’s for the Girls!”, and “Girls Can’t Surf”. These stories, along with the communities I follow, constantly remind me of the power of representation, perseverance, and creating space for others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sistersofthesea.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sistersofthesea
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/sistersofthesea
- Other: https://linktr.ee/sistersofthesea
