Me-Shell Mijangos (http://www.swellwomen.com/founder/html) a surfer who first began surfing at the age of 30. She is the founder of an all inclusive women's surf camp called SwellWomen. Two years ago, she started SwellCo-ed, a Surf and Yoga Experience for women, men and couples. She hopes to surf with you in paradise soon! Visit her SwellBlog!
History and female surfers. Do you automatically think of Gidget? Either the blond Sandra Dee or the brunette Sally Fields? Those old fashioned bikinis and the enormous surfboards. The sun was always shining on that Californian beach with perfect waves with plenty of good looking guys and gals strutting around in their swimwear.
Gidget the movie was released in 1959, and the TV series in 1965. However, did you know that there are actually records of female surfers in Hawaii dating back to the 1600's? Back then, apparently the females and males were all equally fond of surfing and there was no discrimination between the genders while out in the waves.
The first famous female surfer was considered a Polynesian demi-god, or kupua. This extraordinary surfer was known as Mamala, and she was recognized as being a fantastic and brave surfer in the wildest of waves. Mamala could appear as many creatures including a great shark, gigantic lizard, and not the least, as a beautiful female. Beautiful and fearless, sounds much like the latest crop of contemporary female surfers, doesn't it?
In 1905, a surfboard dating back to the 1600's belonging to Princess Kaneamuna of Hawaii, was found in her burial cave. Centuries before Gidget! There are also many traditional Hawaiian chants about female surfers.
Mary Ann Hawkins was a famous female surfer in California in the 1920's. Faye Baird Fraser was the first female to surf in San Diego.
The first person to surf in Australia was a 15 year old girl called Isabel Letham. She was famously chosen by Duke Kahanamoku to surf tandem with him in 1914 at Freshwater Beach, just around the headland from the world famous Manly Beach.
By the late 1970's the A.S.P. annual circuit had a division for females. In this era, female surfers like Rell Sunn, Linda Merrill, and Jericho Poppler came to fame for their surfing prowess.
Surfing for girls didn't really seriously take off until the late 1980's. Prior to this, girls were expected to be decorative on the sand in their bikinis, working on their suntans. Their boyfriends surfed and the girls watched. That's just the way it was. Until this time surfing was considered by many to be a male's sport. In many surf breaks girls were not welcome. Their place was on the sand, or possibly on a boogie board or surf mat out of the way, closer to the shore with the kiddies.
By the late 1980's female surfing was really emerging. Lisa Anderson from Florida started a whole new surfing fashion by wearing board shorts with her bikini top. Today this seems like a sensible option while out surfing and the surfing companies all have huge ranges of board shorts for the surfing girl.
Surfing wear is now worn by all and sundry. You don't have to live anywhere near the ocean or surf to wear labels like Roxy. Female surf wear is now synonymous with good healthy living and vitality. Teenage girls the world over aspire to look like the Roxy poster girls. All the surf companies have been very quick to spot this and bring out their own labels for female surfers. This marketing campaign has been a roaring success with females all around the world.
Female surfing in the US is the fastest growing sport. There has been a dramatic increase in female surf camps like Surf Goddesses and SwellWomen and female surf schools like Maui Surfer Girls. Female surfers have come into their own and are an industry on their own. Now when we think of female surfers, images from the movie "Blue Crush" fill our minds. Gorgeous, healthy, strong girls in bikinis and board shorts surfing their hearts out. This movie has been responsible for inspiring and motivating another generation of young female surfers. "If you want to feel the rush you have to take the risk" was the film's motto.
No article on female surfers would be complete without a mention of Layne Beachley. As of early 2008, she has won a breathtaking 7 World Titles. She has the best statistics for any female surfer ever and has ridden a 50 foot wave, the largest wave ever ridden by a female. Layne Beachley's motto is "Never give up". Great motivation from a great role model for all girls out there.
The new crop of emerging and successful female surfers includes Australia's Stephanie Gilmore who is the current reigning ASP Women's World Champion. Sofia Mulanovich from Peru is the current leader on the 2008 ASP Women's World Tour. (As at March 2008.) Megan Abubo is holding up Hawaii's long reputation of producing world class surfers.
With Hawaii's long history of surfing it is fitting that the term for female surfers "Wahine" actually originates from Hawaii. Blue Crush was filmed there. Surfers from around the globe aspire to surf or watch Pipeline at its biggest. Hawaii is a prime location for perfectly situated female surf camps.
Female surfers have been around for centuries. Luckily for all us girls, female surfing is now perceived as a mainstream sport and industry. Today, female surfers are recognized and their needs and wants are being catered for. Feel the rush, take the risk, never give up. Inspiring words for all girls everywhere.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Poker and Surfing. Part I: History
- Making Waves in Waikiki: Hawaii's Surfing Heritage
- 5 Reasons Why Singles Should Never Attend a Co-ed Surf Camp
- Roni Deutch Reviews the Best Places in the World for Surfing
- Hawaii Beach Activities Enjoyed By Many
- Hawaii Vacation Rentals And Hawaii Activities: The Importance Of Making A Connection
- 9 Things You Must Do In Hawaii
- Hawaii Winters: Big Sunshine, Bigger Waves




Vertical Jump Program Review - Plyometrics Jump Training
By: Brian Fender | 19/12/2009A vertical jump is needed by athletes, especially by basketball players. This lets them jump higher and get closer to the hoop. This is also a necessary skill to be able to slam dunk the ball. A good vertical jump program is needed to be able to improve their jumping ability.
Make Me Jump Higher Exercises - Exercises To Increase Vertical Jump
By: Brian Fender | 19/12/2009Make me jump higher exercises such as Plyometrics is a method I use to compete in various different sports and this enables me to move much faster as this method tones my nervous system and improves my all round performance.
Tips For Increasing Vertical Jump - Techniques To Increase Vertical Jump
By: Brian Fender | 19/12/2009Though not everyone is naturally gifted to slam dunk a basketball, increasing vertical jump aptitude can be undertaken quite simply. In essence, all it takes is a little dedication, exercise and taking a healthy approach to life and lifestyle. Here are a few key tips to get started and reaching for the skies.
Improve Vertical Jump - How To Increase Vertical Jump?
By: Brian Fender | 19/12/2009Every individual should find a way to improve vertical jump. There are plenty of purposes and techniques to carry out such a task.
How To Add Inches To Vertical Jump? - Vertical Jump Higher
By: Brian Fender | 19/12/2009If you want to out perform other athletes or sportspeople then it can be important to have a great vertical jump. Many activities require such a skill, not just basketball; soccer, football, and baseball also involving jumping in the air and catching a ball. To enhance your leaping skills it is useful to learn how to add inches to vertical jump with some easy to use exercises.
Anyone can Enjoy Betting on the Football World Cup
By: Vikram kuamr | 19/12/2009You might think that only the real serious gamblers can be successful at betting on the football World Cup, but you would be mistaken.
The Excitement is Building for the Soccer World Cup 2010 in South Africa
By: Vikram kuamr | 19/12/2009Bookmakers from around the world are getting ready and beginning to take bets on all aspects leading up to the event.
Exercises To Jump Higher - How To Add To Vertical Jump?
By: Brian Fender | 19/12/2009You can spend a great deal of money on exercises to jump higher when in fact you don't have to. Machines and equipment don't necessarily cut it when it comes to finding the exercises that will develop the targeted muscle groups necessary for the continuous improvement you're looking for.
Surfing and Yoga- Five Good Reasons Why This Combination Works
By: Me-Shell Mijangos | 14/07/2008 | YogaYou might think that surfing and yoga are far out from each other but you are wrong. Both have similar concepts that really blend well to give you a better life. Here are five reasons why surfing and yoga is a great combination.
9 Things You Must Do In Hawaii
By: Me-Shell Mijangos | 23/06/2008 | DestinationsHawaii is a place of enchantment. Far off in the pacific lies this paradise on earth. Although Hawaii is just a chain of small islands, there are a lot of activities that can be done whether it is on land, air or water. Here are the top 9 things you must do on your hawaiian islands vacation.
Who was the Queen of Surfing? Rell Sunn
By: Me-Shell Mijangos | 05/06/2008 | MotivationalRell Sunn is one of the first and the most celebrated female pro surfers in the world. Sunn is known to have defied the macho-image of surfing during her time. She surfed her way through the gender barriers of the surfing world, riding the waves with her fellow male surfing contemporaries and even beating them in their own game.
Wahines Through The Ages. The History of Female Surfers
By: Me-Shell Mijangos | 22/03/2008 | Sports & FitnessHistory and female surfers. Female surfers have been around for centuries. Luckily for all us girls, female surfing is now perceived as a mainstream sport and industry. Today, female surfers are recognized and their needs and wants are being catered for.
All I Ever Needed To Learn in Life, I Learned From Surf Etiquette
By: Me-Shell Mijangos | 09/03/2008 | MotivationalLife is a journey, and much like surfing, sticking to a few basic rules or courtesies can make the ride a lot smoother.
Surfboard or Botox. What Really Keep You Looking Young?
By: Me-Shell Mijangos | 29/02/2008 | Sports & Fitness"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?" Forget about Botox and face lifts! The best way to appear youthful is to feel youthful.
5 Reasons Why Singles Should Never Attend a Co-ed Surf Camp
By: Me-Shell Mijangos | 21/01/2008 | DatingCan you picture yourself mingling with other healthy, adventure seeking, like minded individuals while indulging in a surf and yoga retreat? Who needs potential romance while situated in paradise? Why not stay at home instead and try another blind date?