Scholarships

(Apply for 2026 Scholarships!)

My name is Billy, and I was a recipient of 2025’s Surf Siren’s Scholarship. Although scholarship recipients are anonymous, I wanted to shed that anonymity to encourage more folks to apply. I’m 25 years old, from the PNW, and have been kayaking for 6 years. I was introduced to sea kayaking during a NOLS semester in Patagonia, and 6 years later I paddled the Inside Passage.

I first learned about Surf Sirens before my Inside Passage expedition from a coach who was passionate about the yearly gathering. She told me about the scholarship, and I sent in an application. I was intrigued by the concept; it’s rare to find affinity spaces in outdoor communities, and I couldn’t miss the opportunity to learn in one alongside some amazing paddlers.

My experience blew me away. I arrived at Hobuck and was immediately folded into a group of welcoming, supportive women excited to teach and learn together.

Me rock gardening at Surf Sirens!

I’ve spent a significant portion of my personal and professional life outdoors. Like many women-aligned folks, I feel excluded from outdoor spaces because of my age and gender. However, I never felt like an extraneous addition at Surf Sirens. Every person was invested in helping other women feel empowered to succeed. I left with better kayaking skills, but more importantly, I gained a deeper connection to the PNW’s women kayaking community.

I would highly encourage you to apply to Surf Sirens’ Scholarship. The weekend is a fantastic way to learn and grow with a group of wonderful women. You will develop skills and relationships you’ll carry with you for the rest of your paddling career. If you do apply, know that the Sirens are so excited for you to attend!

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