DonateOceanFolx
501 (c) (3) nonprofit
Swimming, surfing, sailing, and conservation program created in partnership with local Lombok women*.
*all those who identify.
Our Mission
OceanFolx empowers coastal communities by providing ocean safety education, swimming, and surfing skills, with a focus on supporting all those who identify as women. Our programs aim to reduce drowning risks, promote environmental stewardship, and foster gender equality, helping participants build confidence, leadership skills, and a deeper connection to the ocean.
The Stats
Drowning represents a significant public health threat, responsible for over 370,000 deaths worldwide annually, with more than 90% occurring in low- to middle-income countries. It is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death globally. Despite Indonesian women* primarily serving as caregivers to their children, most do not know how to swim.
We offer a comprehensive three-part program featuring SWIM, OCEAN SAFETY, and SURF modules. Our swimming and ocean safety lessons adhere to the AUSTSWIM Australian Swimming Curriculum. After participants complete a foundational swim safety training, they advance to the OCEAN SAFETY module, where they learn to identify rip currents, assess conditions, and practice ocean safety risk management. Once this module is completed, participants can take part in the SURF module, with personalized guidance to ensure they progress at their own pace.
Involving local women in developing our programs is a key principle of OceanFolx's approach and we work in partnership with local women to develop informed and culturally-sensitive lessons.
Upon program completion, each participant receives a certificate and a stipend to cover any lost work or childcare expenses incurred during their participation.
Through our program, we prevent drowning, foster leadership and female empowerment, and promote environmental stewardship.
*inclusive of all those who identify.
Impact
In 2024, we empowered 13 women with essential drowning prevention skills, transforming their ability to safeguard lives. These women, in turn, shared their knowledge to 10 families, directly benefiting 10 children. Through over 20 pool lessons and 10 days of intensive ocean programs, we fortified communities with life-saving expertise.
In 2025, we are scaling up and want to double the length of our programs and empower 12 new women, including 2 local leaders!
“Not only are our programs providing life-saving swimming skills, we are also fostering a sense of environmental stewardship. When local women spend more time in and around the ocean, they develop a more positive relationship with their local environment, and promote land and ocean stewardship in their local communities. ”
Make a donation
Support our mission by contributing today.
“I can promise you that women working together – linked, informed and educated – can bring peace and prosperity to this forsaken planet. ”
— Isabelle Allende
Become a Sponsor
OceanFolx is provided at no cost to local participants.
We are currently working with sponsors who align with our values of environmental and ocean conservation and/or empowering local women and community, want to support our work, and are excited about reaching a growing audience and showing their commitment to community initiatives.
If you think your organization might be in alignment, we would love to hear from you.
Our Partners
Meet the Team
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Maddy Bolt (she/her)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Maddy is a sailor, surfer, photographer, and lover of all things ocean. She studied Marine Biology at the University of British Columbia, spent time as an outdoor educator in the Caribbean and on Vancouver Island, and absolutely fell in love with the southern hemisphere when she was a conservation researcher in Australia.
After sailing across the Pacific in 2023, she felt it was time for her to start a new exciting project of her own. OceanFolx is the culmination of all of Maddys’ greatest passions. She is excited to keep learning with and from the local Lombok community on how best to empower local womxn to engage with their local oceanic environment in the most meaningful way possible.
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Culinjunge Michelle Starjunge (she/her)
LOCAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Michelle brings a wealth of inspiration and local experience to the team. She is in charge of running our goal-setting and empowerment workshops with program participants.
Drawing from her own story, she works with our program participants to help them visualize, set and realize their own goals and dreams.
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Isabelle Szabo (she/her)
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
OceanFolx could not run without Isabelle’s keen eye for detail and program logistics. The mind behind our sponsorship partners, grants, and day-to-day schedule, Isabelle puts all the gears in motion.
Her experience in the non-profit sector in both Canada and the States has equipped her with the necessary skillset to find, bolster, and empower strategic partnerships.
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Coral Littlejohn (she/her)
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Coral is from Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Snuneymuxw territory - Vancouver Island. Coral is the OceanFolx videographer and photographer.
Her goal is to capture the smiles and the moments in the water that won’t be forgotten by the ocean, but could be forgotten by the busy world if we don’t pay attention.
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Raimin (she/her)
LOCAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Raimin is a natural-born leader, and has taken charge as one of the group's most advanced swim leaders. Always keen to help lead a swim lesson, she is just as excited about teaching yoga, and offers surf yoga to participants during the OceanFolx program.
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Andie McDowell (she/her)
SWIM SAFETY PROGRAM LEAD
Andie represents Buffalo Pond Swim School and the delivery of their water safety programs within the OceanFolx program. She is driven by a desire for community connection, social enterprises, and a love for water safety. She is a qualified swimming instructor with close to a decade of experience teaching all ages and levels.
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Skylar Mcbain (she/her)
MEDIA AND RELATIONS COORDINATOR
Skylar began her work in the non-profit sector in 2017, though her passion for serving others has been lifelong. She has worked in children’s rehabilitation centres, volunteered with large scale forest protection initiatives, and developed funding initiatives for national and regional programming within major organizations.
Being an avid traveller, a call to exploration has brought Skylar to reside in multiple countries across the globe. Her deep rooted respect for and admiration of cultural diversity has lead her to join our team.
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Laura Andriani (she/her)
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Laura is a lover of all things ocean. As a diver, surfer and snorkeller, she was a natural choice to bring onboard the OceanFolx team.
Her translation and communication skills have allowed OceanFolx to increase its’ impact and reach many more local women. Engaging in a cultural exchange is an important part of the OceanFolx program and she is integral in supporting language exchange between volunteers and program participants, so everyone can improve their skills in bahasa Inggris or bahasa Indonesian!
