FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. — A brand new event is happening this weekend and an individual sport is becoming much more than that in the community.


What You Need To Know

  • The first-of-its-kind, all-women's Her Turn Surf Festival is happening June 2 -3

  • Flagler Beach resident, surfer and art shop owner Carla Cline was diagnosed with breast cancer and is going through chemotherapy

  • Cline is participating in the festival to give back to her community and her friends

Carla Cline is a surfer and owner of an art shop on Flagler Beach. She says her shop is her canvas.

“I can make smaller pieces of art. I turn arts into cards, magnets, greeting cards, design all of the t-shirts,” she said.

But it's not just her canvas — her shop tells the unseen story of her home town of 40 years. 

“Growing up here you’ve gotten to know everybody,” Cline said.

Cline has been riding the waves of Flagler Beach for the past 20 years, but none quite like this. 

“I would say that while obviously, getting breast cancer is a terrible diagnosis, I’ve had way more positive things come from it and I’m mindful," she said. "I’ve been fortunate, I have triple negative breast cancer, one of the worse ones you can have and every time, I’ve been given a result. It’s the best possible prognosis you could hope for.”

Cancer and chemotherapy are big waves, sure to knock anyone off their board. But in life, like surfing, you got to get back going.

“I won’t say I’m learning to surf again, but I have decided I want to surf better than I ever have before,” Cline said.

It's a new prognosis with plently of community support and purpose.

"When (a friend) said she was going to create an all-women’s surf festival for Flagler Beach, I said, 'Of course, I’d love to be a part of this,'” Cline said. 

A first-of-its-kind in Flagler Beach, called Her Turn Surf Festival. It's not a competition, but a celebration of a sport loved by many in a town loved by all who live here.

"These local events, I love being a part of them because they give back to the community and you’re with your friends,” Cline said.

The all-women's Her Turn Surf Festival is happening June 2 -3. Here are details on how you can participate in the activities.