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.
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 scaled up.
We empowered 35 new women from 11 different villages, who collectively have 28 children. Additionally, we welcomed two new local swim staff leaders—both of whom were our students last year.
We are already planning an amazing 2026 season.
Stay tuned!
“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. ”
In the Media
Surfer Magazine - Empowering the Women of Lombok With the Gift of Surfing
With it Girl
SurfGirl Magazine - Changing Lives Through Surf
OceanFolx Short Film
A New Era of Surf and Swim Comes to One of Indonesia's Coastal Paradises
“I can promise you that women working together – linked, informed and educated – can bring peace and prosperity to this forsaken planet. ”
— Isabelle Allende
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.
Make a donation
Support our mission by contributing today.
We are officially a 1% for the planet Environmental Partner!
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 Sponsors
Meet the Team
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Maddy Bolt (she/her)
FOUNDER & 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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Isabelle Szabo (she/her)
CHAIR OF THE BOARD
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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Culinjunge Michelle Starjunge (she/her)
SWIM PROGRAM LEADER
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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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)
SWIM PROGRAM LEADER
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 COORDINATOR
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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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!
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Shannon Greisman (she/her)
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Originally from Montreal, Shannon is a writer, traveller, and ocean lover who supports the OceanFolx team as a Social Media Volunteer. With a background in social media management and copywriting, she creates content for OceanFolx’s online platforms and collaborates with sponsors to highlight partnerships and amplify their support.
Shannon’s work is rooted in her deep passion for community development, women’s empowerment, and ocean conservation. After several visits to Lombok, she has formed a strong connection with the island and its people, and is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to OceanFolx’s mission.
Her relationship with the ocean is especially meaningful—what began as a journey of overcoming fear and trauma has transformed into a deep love for the sea. Today, surfing is both her passion and a source of healing. She’s also been learning Bahasa Indonesia since her last trip and is proud to be keeping up her Duolingo streak!
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Joy Teo
HEAD OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
