Registered or Premium Member? LOG IN | Not a Premium Member? TRY PREMIUM FREE NOW
|
LOOK BACK TO MOVE FORWARD
"The Women and the Waves" celebrates female surfing through the decades
By:
Sarah Booher
|
|
"I never wanted to surf like a girl," smiles 64-year-old Linda Benson.
"But now it's different...they're really good!" For women who have paddled head-first into a once male dominated sport, surfing is not only a daily passion, but a way of life.
Shot entirely in high-definition, The Women and the Waves pays tribute to the pioneers who paved the way and provides recognition to the everyday surfers that keep the dream alive. |
|
Through the collaborative efforts of Heather Hudson and Peck Euwer, this film documents the female surfing experience through the lives of ten women from the age of 17 to 64. From Mexico to Hawaii to California, audiences will gain new insight into what "surf like a girl" really means. The Women and the Waves dives into an array of different female surfers' lives. From five-time Women's World Champion, Linda Benson, who began riding waves at age 11 in 1955, to 50-year-old Zeuf, a longboarding Santa Cruz local and self-professed "oceanaholic," who, despite a valiant battle with cancer, still manages to ride the waves she loves. "I remember going for weeks without seeing another girl in the water."
-- Heather Hudson, filmmaker
Of the younger generations, the film introduces 17-year-old Rachel Harris as she finds time to get wet in between high school classes and weighs the options of going to college or pursuing a pro career. Next, the film chats with 22-year-old Aussie waterwoman, Shakira Westdorp, and shows highlights from her epic sessions at Waimea Bay. Integrating interviews with old and new surfing footage, The Women and the Waves allows surfers and non-surfers alike to savor surfing from the feminine perspective while throwing in comments from the guys for good measure. Through the decades, women have carved a place in the surfing world and shelled out a place of their own. "I remember going for weeks without seeing another girl in the water," remarks executive producer Heather Hudson, who started in 1978. "A few years ago while surfing my favorite break, I noticed that the women outnumbered the men in the line-up. If someone had told me 30 years ago that this would be true, I'd have said they were crazy!" Since modern surfing stormed California's west coast in the 1950s, the waves have not changed, but the people who ride them have. With striking visuals and inspiring interviews, The Women and the Waves reveals what surfing truly is to female riders of all ages -- a sport and a lifestyle. "The film was conceived out of my passion for surfing first...and being a female second," explains Heather. "Being a surfer has been quite a trip." MORE WOMENS SURFLINE HOME PAGE |
|
Comments: Add Your Comment
Share your thoughts on this story.
Add Your Comment:
ABOUT SURFLINE'S COMMENTS: Surfline comments are intended to foster and continue a community discussion and/or debate on the topic brought up by the feature above. We encourage you to comment and express your opinion. Before commenting, you should know that Surfline Comments are moderated, which means that comments containing personal attacks, excessive profanity, or off-topic remarks may not be posted. Also, 'EDITOR'S PICKS' are comments that we feel capture points-of-view from all sides of the issue at hand, not necessarily the comments Surfline most agrees with. Thanks. --the editors
|