Girls Surf

When one thinks of surfing, the image of a woman on a surfboard is not usually the one that comes to mind. While this is getting to be quite commonplace today, it was understandably not always the case. As with most male-exclusive sports, the transition happened slowly; more and more women looked at the sport as something that was doable.

On Girls Surf, a number of women surfers have posted their bio related to surfing and how they came to take part in the adventure sport. A few of them are 'early women surfers', meaning they do not belong to the present generation of women. Shelley Merrick, who started surfing at age 10 in 1955, was more the exception than the rule. She grew up near a beach and won her first competition in surfing at age 15.

However, possibly the main thing that sets surfing apart from other sports is that it is a struggle that the surfer himself (or herself) overcomes, rather than seeking to outdo another surfer. To try to do something like that could result in disaster, as not every wave is of the same type. Remarkable control and balance is required, along with a considerable amount of patience.

Today, several women such as Sernea Brook, nicknamed 'Sauce', make a career out of their passion. She describes it as 'pure, creative' and something that money cannot buy. It is a highly inspiring activity that brings her closer to nature and to being the person that she has become today. She says, 'Even just being out there sitting in the ocean, can turn a negative day into a positive one.'

Bethany Hamilton, famous for having survived a shark attack, still continues surfing because of the exhilarating pleasure it gives her. Clearly, this sport has much to offer the average woman.

Learn more about Women Surfers