Today we’d like to introduce you to Codie Cabral.
Hi Codie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m Codie Cabral — a mom raising my little ones by the beach in Carlsbad, a holistic health coach, model, and the creator of Moms Who Kinda Surf. Motherhood has shaped me in the most beautiful ways, and I’ve always been deeply enamored with the strength and softness moms carry every single day. But somewhere in the thick of motherhood, I realized parts of me had been put on pause — my spark, my confidence, my sense of play. I entered a season where I needed something just for me, something that brought me back into my body again.
Surfing entered my life during that exact time. I didn’t start to be “good” at it; I started because the ocean made my nervous system settle. It was the one place where I could laugh at myself, breathe a little deeper, be present, and feel a piece of my spark returning. After one early morning session, I remember thinking, How do I explain this feeling to other moms? And the answer was simple: you can’t. They have to experience it for themselves.
But starting something new — especially in the water — can feel intimidating. There are so many experienced surfers out there, and as a mom who hadn’t done something “just for me” in so long, I often wondered, Do I even belong here? That feeling planted a seed. Moms need support and deserve to take up space too. There’s something powerful about having a space that’s beginner-friendly and welcoming — a place where presence matters more than perfection. That moment became the heart of Moms Who Kinda Surf — a beginner-friendly surf and wellness community for moms who want to try something new, meet other women in the same season of life, and rediscover the parts of themselves they may have put on pause. I wanted to create a space where we’re all on the same level, where no one feels out of place, and where showing up is enough.
What started as a simple idea has grown into surf meetups, coffee hangs, and now our Sip & Sea gatherings — mornings where moms surf, connect, laugh, and feel held by the ocean. We’ve partnered with incredible local businesses and national brands like YETI, and it still blows my mind that something born from my own healing has grown into a movement reminding women that you don’t have to be a pro to find magic — sometimes you just have to show up and let the waves meet you. 🌊✨
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In many ways, the events themselves have felt incredibly smooth — almost like the universe had been waiting for something like this to come to life. Every Sip & Sea morning has unfolded so beautifully, with the exact right moms showing up, the ocean cooperating, and the energy feeling aligned in a way that’s hard to explain. It’s reminded me that when something is meant to exist, there’s a natural flow to it. The challenges usually happen behind the scenes. As a stay-at-home mom with two little ones — one in school part-time and the other a full-boy-energy two-year-old — carving out time to plan, coordinate, email brands, build pitch decks, and manage logistics can definitely feel like a juggle. I often work during nap times, late at night, or in the in-between moments of motherhood.
But even with the challenges, it’s been deeply rewarding. I remind myself often that building something meaningful doesn’t require perfect conditions — just intention, heart, and a willingness to keep showing up. And every time I see a mom laugh in the water or make a new friend, it confirms that all the effort is worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
For the past 15 years, I’ve worked as a professional model, and it brought me into so many different creative spaces. It taught me how to be adaptable, patient, and professional — but also how to express myself, take direction, and be part of a bigger vision. But alongside that career, I also walked through nearly eight years of chronic illness that deeply affected my quality of life. That experience completely shifted the way I viewed health, food, and the body. My own health journey taught me how powerful the body is, and now I love helping women reconnect with that same inner strength and capacity to heal. Motherhood only deepened that calling. Today, my biggest role is being a stay-at-home mom to my two little ones, and everything I do is built around that season of life. Motherhood is my anchor, and it naturally shapes the work I choose to create.
Moms Who Kinda Surf is the heart of what I do now. It’s part wellness, part surf, part community — but at its core, it’s a soft landing place for moms who want to reconnect with themselves. I’m not trying to create pro surfers. I’m creating a space for presence, courage, play, and connection. A space where women can take up room, try something new, and feel supported at whatever level they’re at.
What sets this work apart is the honesty and accessibility. It’s not about perfection; it’s about showing up exactly as you are. It’s about creating beginner-friendly spaces where moms feel seen, safe, and welcomed — where the ocean gets to hold you for a morning as you remember who you are outside of your responsibilities.
I’m most proud of the way this community has grown through authenticity and heart. Nothing has been forced. It’s all unfolded organically — through storytelling, connection, and women saying, “I needed this.” My hope is that it continues to grow, not just in Southern California, but in other pockets of the world, so moms everywhere can experience this blend of support, surf, and presence.
It’s been one of the greatest joys of my life to build something that helps moms find spark, confidence, and sisterhood again.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was a total tomboy — always outside, always barefoot, and always moving. I had a deep connection to animals and genuinely thought I’d become a veterinarian one day. I loved being around anything living and breathing, and I was endlessly empathetic, even as a kid. I was extremely independent, but also very bubbly and social. I loved making friends, talking to everyone, and finding joy in the simplest things. The beach was always my refuge. I could spend entire days jumping waves, collecting shells, searching for sand crabs — completely in my own world and happy as can be. The water felt like home long before I ever knew how much it would shape my life as an adult.
Looking back, so much of who I was then still lives in who I am now: free-spirited, active, connected to nature, drawn to community, and always seeking moments that make me feel alive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://forms.gle/cSNTBcjZNbsUuDXG9 (sign up for newsletter)
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/codiecabral +. https://www.instagram.com/momswhokindasurf
Image Credits
rae branding co
Georgia Flynn
