Frieda Zamba (October 24, 1965-) |
 The Largest Surfing EncyclopediaA-Z: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Advertisement
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Part of surfing's appeal hinges on the power of the unknown; the idea that some mysterious no-name is out there ripping harder than any world champion. It's an intriguing theory that assumes the young apprentice simply has no opportunity or desire to rule. But what if, on impulse, an innocent pulls the sword from the stone? And what if someday she wants to put it back?
Such is the tale of Frieda Zamba. Zamba was a perfect novice when she turned pro. Lacking the funds to travel, the 16-year-old Flagler Beach, Florida, local had only surfed in nearby amateur contests, never climbing through the standard tiers of regional and national competition. So when Zamba entered -- and won -- her first pro contest at Cocoa Beach's Canaveral Pier, she innocently accepted the $500 winner's check and accidentally ended her amateur career. It was the best mistake she ever made. Stripped of any chance to compete on her home turf, Zamba's mentor and coach Flea Shaw -- whom she later married in June of 1987 -- urged her to take on the West Coast's burgeoning Women's Pro Surfing tour (WPS). Zamba reluctantly flew to California in 1982 to compete against the world's best surfers -- Debbie Beacham, Rell Sunn, Lynn Boyer -- in the Mazda Women's Pro in Solana Beach. Two days and 18 heats later, she once again stood on the victory dais in a state of shock. Zamba continued to compete, finishing sixth in the world her rookie year -- the lowest ranking of her career -- moving up to second in 1983 behind California rival Kim Mearig. In 1984, she took her first of four world championships and became the youngest titleholder ever at age 19. It was only the beginning of her dominance over one of the strongest eras in women's surfing. When Zamba started surfing in the late '70s, shortboarding's progressively powerful approach had all but eliminated the sport's interest in women -- and vice versa. In fact, while '60s surfing legend Mimi Munro had grown up in nearby Ormond Beach, Zamba -- who had surfed Flagler since she was 12 -- had never heard of her. Instead, Zamba picked up her fast and aggressive style from the local male contingent while surfing "against the same five girls" in area amateur contests. Zamba's ability to combine a flowing series of radical maneuvers not only outshined surfing's preceding stars -- as her 1982 debut proved -- but the new class of '80s upstarts, perhaps history's best batch of female pros that included former and future world champions Pam Burridge, Kim Mearig and Wendy Botha. Zamba suppressed the entire lot for three years straight between 1984 and 1986. She returned to the top in 1988 to become the first four-time world champion since Mark Richards. Most importantly, Zamba's surfing single-handedly narrowed the talent gap between the sexes, opening eyes and minds throughout our male-dominated sport. Yet, despite being arguably the best female surfer ever and winning five straight Surfer Poll Awards between 1985 and 1989, Zamba continued to struggle for financial support. In another case of "it's different for girls," talent didn't transfer directly into cash on the women's side of the industry. Satisfied with her accomplishments but embittered about surfing's dedication to women, she stepped down in 1988 at the top of her game, returning to her humble beginnings in Florida. Today's popularity in women's surfing has made Zamba something of a cult hero. The surfing world finally validated her life's achievements in 1998 with a Woman of the Year spot in the Huntington Beach Surfing Walk of Fame, but it is hardly a sign that Zamba is officially history. In fact, those who have witnessed Zamba's free sessions and photo shoots say she's surfing her strongest, and almost 20 years later, the question remains equally valid: What if the world's best surfer isn't the champion? What if she's simply happy working and surfing at the end of her block? -- Matt Walker, October 2000
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