What It Really Takes to Be a Woman in Surfing
Posted: 07 October 2025
Atmosea isn’t just surfwear, it’s a movement that’s empowering women, redefining surf culture, and changing the line-up for good.
There’s something electric in the ocean, not just in every wave, but in the stories of those who ride them.
Maria Nilsson, founder of Atmosea, didn’t set out just to design surf wear. She set out to reshape what it looks and feels like to be a woman in the surfing world. She wanted to combine flair, function, and comfort to make space for every women.
As one of our Dreamers, we dive into Maria’s journey. She shares lessons about resilience, what it’s taken to design for the female body in the ocean, and what it really means to surf not just for the ride, but for belonging.
Q: Was there a moment in your surfing journey that made you realise the need for Atmosea?
A: I was struggling to find surf wear with comfort, practicality, and flair—something that would embrace and express differences. I wanted to see a celebration and invite others to create a community that celebrates freedom, a community of nurturing and acceptance for all female surfers. And of course, to create functional products that work 'just right' for the female body in the ocean.
Maria is wearing our French Flax Linen Ruby Lounge Set in Hazelnut Stripe
Q: What’s one thing you wish more people knew about the culture of women’s surfing?
A: Surfing has long been a male-dominated sport, and it hasn’t always been easy for women in the line-up or in the industry. But what’s powerful is how far we’ve come and how much we’ve created for ourselves.
Women are out there riding the same waves with the same passion and building a culture that’s about so much more than just surfing.
What I’d love to share is how cool it is (and how proud we are) that women have faced these challenges, braved the line-ups, navigated competitions, and carved out space to represent surfing in our own way. Women’s surfing is about fun, creativity, adventure, and a deep connection to the ocean. It’s community-driven, supportive, and empowering.
The energy women bring to surfing is finally being more widely celebrated, through equal prize money (though there’s still a way to go), greater representation in surf films, more funding, and surfwear that’s designed for us. To me, that’s what makes women’s surf culture so special.
Q: Many founders talk about a defining moment when they decided to go all in on their dream. Did you have a moment like that you can take us back to, or was your journey more gradual?
A: Atmosea was my passion project I had on the side for quite a while I was working a full-time design and production role as well as freelancing for other local brands. The inspiration was there, but the time to work on Atmosea while other work commitments beckoned was tricky. When I had my first son, I had three months of maternity leave, and somehow that gave me more time for Atmosea. Then Covid happened, and I had even more time to put into Atmosea, and at this stage, it was growing rapidly as I could give it more energy and love. I had my second son, and at this stage, I was back freelancing. Then I just realised, "Oh, shit, I really don't have time designing for other people," and I decided to give it my all. As they say, if you keep watering your plants, they will grow. So Atmosea started with slow and steady growth, but I'm so stoked with where it's at right now and the amazing support we have from our amazing community.
Maria is wearing our French Flax Linen Ruby Shirt in Hazlenut
As Seen on Maria
Q: Has there ever been a time when you felt like giving up on a dream (whether in your business or personal life)? What made you push through?
A: Not once! I am a very stubborn lady, and I once got told to never rub out the lines you draw, just change the direction, and something magical will come out of it. So all mistakes and headaches have led me to the beauty we have now.
Q: Finally, what’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
A: “Don't take life too seriously; try to enjoy nature; don't stress; we are all going to die."
Meet the Dreamers...
