Layne Beachley

Born: 1972
From: Dee Why, Sydney, Australia
Known for: Winning 5 consecutive pro world championship titles/best female big wave rider

Biography

Layne's original name was Tania Maris Gardner before she got adopted as an infant. She was then named Layne Beachley. Her adoptive mother died when she was 6 years old. Layne began surfing at age 4. She played many other sports such as soccer and tennis growing up but did not fall in love with the sport until she was 16 years old. She grew up practicing on Manly Beach near her home. Layne was ambitious and did not waste her time on the amateur level she went straight to the pro tour in 1989. IN the 1990 season, Layne was a rookie but she quickly rose to the top of the tour. Her success did not start until 1993 when she won her first surfing event. In 1994, she finished 4th in the world for that season. In 1995, she finished 2nd in the world. In 1996, Layne finished 3rd in the world. In 1997, she finished 2nd in the world. In 1998, she began being mentored by Ken Bradshaw who was also her boyfriend at the time. In the 1998 season, she won 5 of the 11 competitions and became number 1. Despite a knee injury, she placed number 1 in the world in 1999 as well. Layne has won seven World Championships from 1998-2003 and 2006. In 2001, she was named ESPN's surfer of the year. Beachley became one of the few women to ever compete in a men's tournament when she earned an invitation to the Energy Australian Open. She is the highest earning women surfer ever with $400000 in prize money. In 2006, she was inducted into the surfing hall of fame. For fun, she has rode 15-18 foot waves in North Shore break and did some 25 footers at Hawaii's Outside Log Cabins in Hawaii. She has been on the tour for 19 years. Layne is dedicated to surfing and making sure women and men surfers are treated equally. In 2008, she announced her retirement from professional surfing full time.

There are some other interesting things about Layne. She battled Chronic Fatigue Syndrome through most of her surfing life. She started her own clothing line called 'Beachley Athletic.' Some of Layne's favorite things in her free time are to do are fashion, music, dancing and partying with friends.

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