Surfettz and Gidgets
Call them what you may, female surfers are here to stay. Like their male counterparts, it is not known exactly when females began surfing. However it was in the early 1920 that the surfettz really started to strut their stuff.
Margo Oberg widely heralded as the first female pro surfer. She lived in a tree house in Hawaii and won multiple world surfing contest is the first true legend of female surfing and the first multiple-time winner of world surfing championships. The first woman known to ride the big waves was Sarah Gerhardt. Bringing her own graceful moves to the sport of big wave surfing Sarah was soon joined by two other female surfers, Keala Kennelly and Maya Gabeira.
The first recognised Australian female surfer became famous in 1914 when she rode tandem with Duke Kahanamoku at Freshwater in NSW. Dubbed the "First Lady" early in the growth of the Aussie surf scene, she continued to master the sport paving the way for other would be female surfers in Australia.
Our very own Layne Beachley has taken a record seven world surfing titles and is considered the best ever female surfer, However Layne’s record and title is now in line to be beaten by another Australian, Stephanie Gilmore.
Once scorned by male surfers, the female surfers now enjoy waves at almost all breaks where the boys are found on their boards. Sadly, the exceptions to this is due to prejudice against women, and cultural and religious restrictions imposed in some countries.
Although the first surfing school in Bangladesh started in 2008, including girls in the classes, things have changed for female surfers in this country. It was decided by the community leaders that girls and women should be at home and not riding waves. Only one girl by the name of Nassima pursued her passion and she is the only female surfer left in the line-up. Nassima believes that surfing is not a crime, but rather a healthy sport for girls and boys, women and men, young and old. She is quoted as saying "I feel free on the water. Where I'm from and who I am doesn't really matter".
Today female surfers throughout the world are smashing the widely held image of the “girl at the beach”. These wave riders can also make great models but this should not distract from their skill on a board. Wendy Botha took this duel role to a whole new level. She is the only South African female surfer to claim a world surfing title and she also posed nude for Australian Playboy.
Like all top surfers, the girls need to display ability with the standard moves and be committed to the sport. But what the females bring to surfing that is often missing in the male surfers is a graceful skill that can give a top class polish to an already great ride. But one group of girls took surfing fashion to a whole new level. Three Russian girls actually rode the waves wearing high heels! They did this in Bali, Indonesia, much to the surprise of those on the beach.
Since the 1920's girls have brought an added attraction to the sport of surfing. Many of the professionals have sponsorship much like their male counterparts and grace billboards and magazines. There are several surf girl magazines aimed at the female market. Clothing and swimwear designers have lines aimed purely at female surfers. Some of the more well known surf labels which have expanded to capture the female surf fashion include Billabong, Roxy, Von Zipper, Element, Quiksilver, Rip Curl, Rusty, Swell and O,Neil.
Surf board makers have also been producing boards in bright hot pinks, lime greens and purples and board covers and socks have extended their range to include hot pink, aqua and rainbows. Board manufacturers with designs and shapes for the female surfer market include Hoochie Mama, Chick Sticks and Surf Station.
Wanting a part of the action, movie makers have produced both documentaries featuring all girl casts. These movies are different to the male versions and show surfing from the female perspective. Producers often capture the essence of the female surfers who tend to have a less aggressive attitude than the men without losing the focus on their rides.
Some of the top female surfing movies include:
Ocean Angels
Sol Sirens
Surf Girls - The Exp
Dear & Yonder
Girls Rip - A New Era in Women's Surfing Hana Surf Girls
Heart of a Soul Surfer
Leave a Message
The Women and the Waves 7 Girls
A Girl's Surf Addiction AKA: Girl Surfer
Aqua Dulce