Women's Surfing

Making waves

By Kai Lani | WAHA Surf Shop

Women in the Lineup

Women have been surfing since ancient Hawaii, but the modern women's surf movement has grown faster in the last two decades than at any point in history. More women are paddling out than ever before, and the level of performance in women's competitive surfing has reached a point that would have seemed impossible thirty years ago. From grassroots communities to Olympic gold medals, women's surfing is not just thriving. It is reshaping the sport.

Walk into any surf shop today and you will find women's boards, wetsuits, and accessories designed with actual input from female surfers. That was not the case even fifteen years ago, when women were mostly handed shrunken-down versions of men's gear. The change reflects a simple truth: women make up a huge and growing portion of the surfing population, and the industry has finally caught up.

Hawaiian Pioneers

In ancient Polynesian culture, surfing had no gender barriers. Hawaiian queens, chiefesses, and commoner women all rode waves alongside men. Some of the most skilled wave riders in old Hawaii were women, and surfing was considered an activity that belonged to everyone regardless of gender or social class. When European missionaries arrived in the 19th century, they suppressed surfing along with many other Hawaiian cultural practices. Women's participation dropped sharply during this period.

The revival of surfing in the early 1900s, led by figures like Duke Kahanamoku, initially focused on men. It took decades for women to reclaim their rightful place in the lineup. But the roots were always there, buried in the same Hawaiian cultural traditions that gave surfing to the world in the first place.

Trailblazers

Early Pioneers

The women who surfed in the 1930s through 1960s did so against significant cultural resistance. They had to borrow boards, deal with being unwelcome in lineups, and prove themselves constantly in ways their male counterparts never had to. Their persistence opened doors for every woman who paddles out today.

Modern Champions

The generation of women who competed from the 1990s onward transformed what people thought women's surfing could look like. Lisa Andersen's powerful, progressive approach changed the narrative completely. She proved that women could surf with the same aggression and style as men, and she did it while raising a daughter as a single mom on the tour.

Equal Pay Victory

In 2019, the World Surf League announced equal prize money for men and women across all events. This made surfing the first major U.S.-based professional sports league to achieve pay equality. The decision was long overdue, but it sent a powerful message. It validated the level of competition in women's surfing and told young girls watching at home that their talent would be valued equally.

According to the World Surf League, the equal pay policy covers all Championship Tour events, Challenger Series, and Big Wave Awards. The ripple effect has been felt across the entire action sports world.

Big Wave Women

Some of the most jaw-dropping moments in surfing over the last decade have come from women charging massive waves. Maya Gabeira broke the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed by a woman at Nazare, Portugal, on a wave measured at over 73 feet. Keala Kennelly became the first woman to get barreled at Teahupoo, one of the heaviest waves on the planet. These women are not just participating in big wave surfing. They are pushing the boundaries of what anyone thought was possible.

Getting Started

Women-Specific Tips

If you are a woman thinking about learning to surf, the best time to start is right now. The community is more welcoming than it has ever been, and there are more resources available specifically for female surfers than at any point in history. Women's surf camps and clinics offer a supportive environment where you can learn without the pressure of a crowded mixed lineup.

Gear Considerations

The right gear makes a big difference when you are learning. Women tend to have a lower center of gravity and less upper body mass than men, which actually helps with balance on a surfboard. Choose a board with enough volume to float you easily, and look for boards designed for lighter-weight riders. A well-fitting wetsuit makes cold water sessions far more comfortable and keeps you in the water longer.

Women's Surf Communities

One of the best things about the growth of women's surfing is the community that has formed around it. Local women's surf clubs meet regularly for group sessions, and social media has connected female surfers from every corner of the globe. These communities provide encouragement, safety, and a sense of belonging that makes the whole experience more enjoyable.

Why It Matters

More women surfing makes the whole culture better. It creates healthier, more inclusive lineups where respect and encouragement are the norm. It gives young girls role models who look like them and share their experience. It drives better gear options and board designs for a wider range of body types. And it enriches surf culture with new perspectives, stories, and approaches to wave riding. The ocean belongs to everyone, and the more people who feel welcome in it, the stronger the surfing community becomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a female surfer called?

Female surfers are simply called surfers. Historically, terms like "surfer girl" or "wahine" (Hawaiian for woman) have been used, but today most women in the sport prefer to be called surfers without a gender qualifier.

Who was the first professional female surfer?

Margo Oberg is widely considered the first female professional surfer, winning her first world title in 1968. She paved the way for generations of women in competitive surfing.

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