Shaka Surfing – Shakamag

RISE OF THE FEMALE SURFER

Female surfers have contributed with great achievements to the history of surfing. Since the early 1920s, surfer girls have been steadily evolving their style and skills in the surf line. Growing up near the ocean can be fun and exciting if you get outside and explore all nature has to offer you. From an early age, these female surfers knew they wanted to make it big one day out in the ocean’s surf. Catching waves from sunrise to sunset, eating a healthy diet, training every single day, and mostly determination has led to big opportunities in professional surfing for these rising female athletes. Surfing has a long and proud history of female stand-outs, dating as far back as the ancient Hawaiians.

A dream, purpose, determination, and lots and lots of practice.

For every athlete, successful performances begin with a goal growing into a dream to someday make it big in the sport of their choice. The following female surfers you are about to learn more about had the same dream and they successfully turned their vision into reality.

A TOP LIST OF BADASS FEMALE SURFERS YOU SHOULD BE FOLLOWING.

Surfing may seem like a male-dominant sport, but that’s far from the truth. Many are surprised to hear that female surfers have been around since the early 1600s. With that being said, in this day and age, female surfing has sky rocketed and keeps getting more and more impressive each and every day. Women keep making their presence in surfing stronger and stronger and aren’t afraid to take on the men. Females are pushing surfing to newer heights with bigger waves and better tubes. These female surfers are making a name for themselves and you should definitely keep an eye out for them.
“One of the greatest things about the sport of surfing is that you need only three things: your body, a surfboard, and a wave.”
Naima Green

1. Felicity Palmateer

Felicity Palmateer is a pro surfer, talented artist and marine conservationist. She spent her childhood surfing with her father and two younger brothers. She was 12 years old when she competed in her first surf contest. She is 27 years old. In 2015 Palmateer rode the biggest wave ever ridden by a female Australian surfer at Cowaramup Bombora. Follow her on social media at @flickpalmateer.

2. Laura Enever

Laura Enever is the epitome of a surfer girl. She born in Austraila and is 28 years old. She was the ASP Women’s World Junior Champion in 2009 and made her professional debut in 2011. As of March 2015, Enever competes at the highest level of professional surfing. Follow her on social media at @lauraenever.

3. Paige Alms

Paige Alms picked up big-wave surfing about a decade ago, and now she is the top female surfer in the world for the second year in a row. She was born on the island of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and she is 31 years old. She has been nominated 4 years in a row at the XXL Awards and just recently won the “Women’s Best Overall Performance”. Follow her on social media at @paigealms.

4. Bianca Valenti

Bianca Valenti is a San Francisco-based professional surfer who rides some of the world’s biggest waves. She began surfing at the age of 7 in the waters of Doheny Beach, Dana Point. She is 29 years old. In 2014, she became the first ever champion of a woman’s big wave event at Nelscott Reef in Oregon. Follow her on social media at @biancavalenti.

5. Emily Erickson

Emily Erickson is 26 years old and from the North Shore of Oahu, HI. She has only been surfing for 7 years now but has been charging big waves ever since she began. Emily is well-known for her positive energy and fearless approach to facing huge waves.. Follow her on social media at @emi_erickson.

6. Justine Dupont

Justine Dupont is a badass on a board, plain and simple. She was born in Bordeaux, France. She is 28 years old and is considered one of the best female big waves surfers in the world. In 2017 she was crowned ISA World team Surfing Champion. Follow her on social media at @justinedupont33.

7. Andrea Moller

Andrea Moller was born on the small island of Ilhabela in Brazil. In 1979, she followed her dream and moved Maui to become a professional water athlete. Andrea is a big wave surfer at heart and was the first woman to paddle in at Jaws. In 2016, Moller won “Women’s Best Performance” at the WSL Big Wave Awards. Follow her on social media at @andreamollermaui.

8. Keala Kennelly

Keala Kennelly was born in Kauai, Hawaii and is 41 years old. For over a decade, Kennelly ranked in the top 10 on the ASP World Championship Tour. She is also an actress and a well known DJ. Follow her on social media at @kealakennelly.

It’s kind of strange still to this day. You see these great looking girls surfing so well that are amazingly talented… They are finally the total package.” – Lisa Andersen

To some it’s just water, but to surfers it’s everything. Riding waves isn’t just a sport, it’s a way of life and female athletes are bringing everything they have to the surface. Their passion and commitment speaks louder than words.

"There's nothing quite like surfing by yourself in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, but unpredictable weather patterns, below deck accommodation, sea snakes, coral cuts and packs of reef sharks make it a trip for the committed seadog." Mark Thornley