Brenda Miley: Driving Revolution In Women's Surfing And Championing Inclusion In The Surf

Australia has long been home to some of the world’s most formidable female surfers, earning multiple world titles and championships. Despite this dominance, gender equality in surfing remained a long standing uphill battle until 2019, when the World Surf League took a historic step by introducing equal prize money in professional surfing. Brenda Miley, Founder and Director of Let’s Go Surfing, grew up immersed in the vibrant beach culture of Coogee, Sydney, where her love for the ocean began at an early age. She caught her first wave on her father’s back at just three years old and quickly progressed from body surfing at Coogee to mastering the waves at Tamarama and Maroubra. In the 1970s and ‘80s, when female surfers were discouraged from pursuing surfing by the men who dominated the beaches, Brenda, an accomplished athlete in swimming, water polo, and netball, remained unwavering in her passion for surfing.

Traveling the world to surf and competing at the national level, she experienced firsthand the gender imbalance and blatant sexism in the sport. While working as a PE teacher, she noticed many young women were hesitant to join male-dominated surf competitions, feeling discouraged and out of place. Determined to shift upend the status quo, she began coaching them herself. At a time when formal surf schools were nearly nonexistent, Brenda’s vision was groundbreaking. This passion for empowerment and inclusivity led her to establish Let's Go Surfing in 1995, building it from the ground up into one of Australia’s most successful and respected surf schools.

Embarking on a distinctive exchange with The Global Women Leader magazine, Brenda divulges the intricate facets of her journey as a prominent leader in Australia. Let's explore further.

What inspired you to establish Let's Go Surfing?

I founded Let's Go Surfing to create a more inclusive space for women in surfing and to make the sport accessible to everyone. Surf schools weren't a thing back in the day, but with my background as a PE teacher, a Sydney University graduate, and someone who had written an honors thesis on surfing, I knew I had the knowledge to teach effectively. My passion for surfing and education drove me to develop structured programs that could help people of all ages and backgrounds experience the joy of riding waves.

I truly believe in the power of the ocean to transform lives, and that belief has driven me to push forward, adapt, and keep making an impact

How has the company evolved over the past three decades?

Let’s Go Surfing started as a small idea out of the back of a van with five surfboards. My boyfriend, who worked in a surf and ski shop, helped me get equipment, and for the first two years, we operated organically. However, as interest grew, we realized we could turn it into something bigger. We traveled to the U.S. to explore surf schools and saw that the programs I had developed were really strong. That gave us the confidence to take the next step of opening a shopfront at North Bondi.

Over the years, we have expanded to Maroubra, Byron Bay, and Ballina, with Bondi remaining our headquarters. Today, we employ over 100 people and have ten people on our leadership team.

What major challenges have you faced while leading Let's Go Surfing, and how did you overcome them?

When I started, surfing was led by men, and I was often the only woman in the room. Many times, I was dismissed or overlooked, but I kept showing up, improving my skills, and proving my worth. Running a business for 30 years has come with its share of external challenges including the Global Financial Crisis, COVID-19, and personal hardships, including the loss of both my parents and two siblings.

The key to overcoming these challenges has been having a strong vision. My passion has always been to change lives through surfing, and that purpose has kept me motivated even in difficult times.

What do you consider your biggest professional achievements?

I have won the first-ever International Woman of the Year award from Waverley Council, earned a place on the Surfing Walk of Fame at Maroubra Beach, and received a plaque on Bondi Beach for my work in developing women’s surfing. Let’s Go Surfing has also won multiple business awards, including being inducted into the Hall of Fame at the NSW Tourism Awards and receiving numerous Adventure Tourism Awards.

However, my proudest achievement is helping someone overcome their fear of the ocean or watching intellectually disabled kids light up after catching their first wave. The greatest success is knowing that surfing has empowered people with confidence and given them joy.

What is your success mantra as a leader?

I have always followed my dreams and never given up because I genuinely believe that if it is to be, it is up to me. No one hands you success, you have to believe in yourself, keep pushing forward, and make things happen through your perseverance.

Brenda Miley, Founder & Director, Let's Go Surfing

Brenda Miley, Founder and Director of Let's Go Surfing holds a Bachelor of Education (Hons) in Human Movement from the University of Sydney, where she wrote an honors thesis on the physical characteristics of surfers. Her certifications include Level 2 Surf Coaching Accreditation, Level 1 Surf Coaching Award, Certificate IV in Workplace Training, Senior First Aid Certification, and Advanced Resuscitation Certificate.

Awards and Recognitions Won:

Adventure Tourism Awards – Recognized by Tourism Australia

Businesswoman of the Year – Awarded by Waverley Council (multiple times)

International Woman of the Year – First recipient from Waverley Council

Hall of Fame Inductee – NSW Tourism Awards

Surfing Walk of Fame Plaque – Maroubra Beach

Bondi’s Best of the Best Recognition Plaque – Bondi Beach for contributions to women's surfing

A business leader you admire and why:

I admire Janine Allis, the founder of Boost Juice, for having built a successful business through her determination.