Local line-ups each possess their own unique character (depending on the season, location, the swell, and even who is out in the water), some being competitive and macho while others can be beginner friendly and easy-going. This is why it is so important to find someone who is a long-time surfer to help decrease the external factors so that a beginner can really focus on learning to surf.
I have noticed that women tend to be more comfortable asking for this kind of help and tend to want community when traveling and surfing so while you may not see too many women at one place, you may see an entire group taking over a break at some point or another. This speaks to deeper social issues revolving around women’s feelings of personal agency.
You said on your blog in one of your articles that a female surfer has to fit the mold, exit the mold, or completely alter the mold. To me, I want to completely alter the mode, but I don’t surf. How can I help female surfers?
Well, the first thing we need to do is get you in the water!
The next thing is what you are doing already: opening up a conversation, a dialogue about the inequality and the persistent sexualization of women surfers. The most important thing though, by far, is to stay observant of those companies that present surfer women (or “girls” as they constantly like to call us, regardless of our age) in ways that you don’t agree with and tell your friends. Don’t buy from these folks, and be vocal about why. Don’t buy products or media from those companies that exploit the female surfer while not supporting their tour or that talk sideways out of their mouths. For instance, the Quiksilver/Roxy event at Snapper Rocks in Australia this year showcased much empowerment rhetoric for “girls” during the Roxy event, but on the Quiksilver guys’ side, they had ridiculous videos posted up online of beach girls as sex objects for the guys. It was repulsive, demeaning, and mind-boggling but this is exactly what goes on with these companies time and time again.
Know that these companies don’t market to women who surf. Their target demographics are the girls (always girls) who want to look like surfers (why they are so heavily focused on the “surf lifestyle”) or who want to start surfing. You are their demographic. Your voice is incredibly important.
