WMC FBomb

This Book Tells the Story of the Surfer Girls of Bangladesh

WMC F Bomb Samira Surfs 71921

Author Ruksanna Guidroz knew she wanted to write a book about the surfer girls of Bangladesh the moment she read an article about the teen surfers who rode the waves on one of the country’s most famous beaches. While the city of Cox’s Bazar is known for attracting tourists and being a major shipping port, in recent years, it has also become home to thousands of Rohingya refugees who fled nearby Myanmar to escape violence and persecution.

As she learned more about the thriving teen girl surfing community in Cox’s Bazar, Guidroz also discovered that many surfers were Rohingya and often faced discrimination and poverty because of their status as stateless people. In Guidroz’s recently released novel, Samira Surfs, she draws on real-life stories to create the story of Samira, a 12-year-old girl who embraces surfing as a way to find herself and process her trauma.

The FBomb had the chance to chat with Guidroz over email about her debut novel, the power of sports, and what it was like researching an ongoing refugee crisis.

Like your picture book Mina vs. the Monsoon, Samira Surfs centers on a girl who comes into her own with the help of a sport. Were you an athlete growing up?

Growing up in England, I played several sports at school such as track, gymnastics, and swimming. I was always better suited to solo rather than team sports. While I wouldn't call myself an athlete, I have been in competitions, and the world of competitive sports is still fascinating to me. It's an environment that can bring so much to the surface. It's a test of your competitiveness, ability to perform under pressure, and self-confidence.

I remember being nervous before a gymnastics floor routine, wondering whether I could still do a backflip, and then the joy and relief after pulling it off. I think learning to trust myself was an important part of my childhood.

But there weren't only stories of success. I took part in track events where I didn't do well and was not as fast as the next person. Those moments can be crushing for a child, but they can also teach you more about yourself and your limits. I had plenty of those days.

Samira and her family are Rohingya refugees and are among the thousands who have fled Myanmar to Bangladesh in recent years to escape persecution. While she is only 11, Samira has already witnessed and experienced a lifetime of trauma. What was it like bringing Samira's story to life?

Researching the backstory to Samira Surfs was interesting, illuminating, and emotionally demanding at the same time. I read history books to gain an understanding of Burma's complex history. Once I had the political and social context in place, I turned to the personal stories reported in the press or available on aid agency websites. In order to tell the story from Samira's point of view, I had to read first-hand accounts of Rohingya fleeing their burning homes under gunfire and other more violent attacks. That part was challenging for me, and I had to make sure I took time out for self-care, especially after seeing some photographs and news clips. Samira became a living, breathing person to me because I saw her story reflected in the faces of the young girls in the press. The look of despair and loss in their eyes is one that I'll never forget. Balancing the story with moments of positivity and hope became an essential part of the narrative. At the end of the day, the filters I looked through to tell Samira's journey informed the story's arc.

Samira Surfs is a novel in verse and features illustrations by Fahmida Azim. Can you tell us a little about what it was like collaborating with Fahmida?

Fahmida is from Bangladesh, and it was wonderful to collaborate with an artist who knows the local culture, clothing, and scenery. It made my job easy because I didn't have to explain what salwar kameez are, for example. I instantly fell in love with her rough sketches when I first saw them. The black and white pictures bring the scenes alive and give readers an insider's view of life in Bangladesh, in a camp, and at the beach. I sent over references for some of the surfing aspects of the story, but of course, a lot of the material is available online. Every time I look at the cover of the book, I get excited and feel so proud of our achievement. The feeling of movement and flow portrayed in the brush strokes combined with the scarf fading into the water capture Samira's joy at being free to surf.

Parts of Samira's story are based on the real-life surfer girls of Bangladesh, who are defying stereotypes by embracing surfing (and are often misunderstood because of that). When did you first learn about them, and how did you know you wanted to create a story about these young surfers?

I started researching and writing my story in 2016 and was first inspired by an article I read in The Surfer's Journal about the surfer girls in Cox's Bazar. Initially, I wrote a picture book story, and it was my editor who suggested I turn the story into a novel for older readers. I felt a little overwhelmed at the thought of writing a novel-length story, but as I began reworking the manuscript, I could see how it made more sense. I knew I had to write this story because I was so mesmerized by these brave young girls who were going against many values they had grown up with. It takes a tremendous amount of courage to do that, and add learning how to surf in the mix — that's a compelling combination to me. Also, as a surfer, I know the challenges of learning to ride waves, and I was lucky enough to have the support of my husband. In writing Samira Surfs, I wanted to share a story that shines a light on the infinite power of the human spirit. Samira learns a new sport that pushes her beyond her comfort zone and tests her endurance as it eventually becomes a springboard for freedom and self-expression.

Finally, what were your favorite parts about creating Samira Surfs?

Writing can be frustrating sometimes, so I appreciate the days when I can write with ease and enthusiasm. There's nothing like having a flow of words come to me effortlessly. To get to that place, I find that being patient can pay off. I'm serious when I say I had to surf to create this story. I had to surf to reset my mind and body. But I also had to surf to hear Samira's voice, experience what she was feeling, and get back on my board when I got knocked off just like she would.



More articles by Category: Girls
More articles by Tag: High school, Books
SHARE

[SHARE]

Article.DirectLink

Contributor
Lakshmi Gandhi
Categories
Sign up for our Newsletter

Learn more about topics like these by signing up for Women’s Media Center’s newsletter.