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Surfing: Battle of the Sexes

By Maeve Rich

Surfers dot the Hull coastline, their gray and black wetsuits mimicking the smooth skin of a seal. They are brave, toughing out the cold water, which even in the summer usually requires some type of wetsuit. They are strong, their arm muscles developed from hours of paddling through white water to get to the lineup, where the waves are. And, for the most part, they are male.

It is rare to see a woman on a surfboard among the testosterone-infested waters. Whether it be because of hostility on the part of male surfers, or lack of opportunity, a woman on a surfboard is not a common sight at Nantasket Beach, or most beaches, for that matter. In surfing movies, magazines and websites, women are often shown in miniscule bikini's, laying on the sand, not a board.

Surfing, a sport brought to the United States in the 1700's, is still not mainstream. Although it is gaining popularity, female surfers have escaped widespread attention. In fact, while the names Kelly Slater and Laird Hamilton may be recognizable, it seems the most famous female surfers are the cast of Blue Crush, the 2002 hit move about three girl surfers in Hawaii.

Surfer Shaun Lee believes that societal standards play a part in the lack of women surfers. "I think girls like to go to the beach and get a tan. It's a tomboy activity and they're not tomboys. It's kind of like hockey, you know? You don't see a lot of women hockey players. And as far as surfing and women equality goes, we're still probably in the 60's."  

Kate McGuire, a Boston resident and native of the north shore of Massachusetts, and friend Tiffany Wilkins spent one recent day at Nantasket Beach. McGuire is teaching Wilkins the basics of surfing. "I haven't seen any other girls in the water today. Sometimes I do, but not often." She theorizes that intimidation may be a factor in the imbalance of male and female surfers. "A lot of girls are scared to paddle out if there are a lot of guys in the water. They don't want to be made fun of, or cut off. The guys can definitely make you feel unwelcome."  

Lee validates this hypothesis. "It pisses me off when guys bring their girlfriends and they don't have a clue and they're just taking up space."  

His friend Nic Harkey disagrees. "How are they going to learn if they don't get out there? I don't mind girls in the water as long as they don't get in the way. That goes for guys too though. I don't want anybody in my way, guys or girls."  

With women's professional surfing on the rise, more women are being drawn to the sport. The adrenaline and skill involved with maneuvering a surfboard, the serene feelings of laying in wait of a wave or riding down the line all contribute to the appeal of surfing. In fact, one of the most attractive aspects of surfing is its peace. That's not to say there aren't rules, courtesies involved. So how is a woman who has never been on a surfboard yet wants to learn supposed to learn?

"I think girls should just paddle out. Get a board, get someone to show you what you're doing, and just charge it ," says McGuire. "My dad taught me when I was little. He used to live in San Diego, and would take me to the beach in Marblehead all the time. I grew up thinking it was normal for me to be surfing alongside the guys, and I think because of that, I'm not afraid that the guys won't want me in the water."

"There's always going to be guys that don't want to see female surfers," says Harkey. "But I think there are even more who think it's cool. It takes a lot of guts to be the only girl in the water, and I think a lot of guys respect that."  

"Professionally there are a decent amount of female surfers," says McGuire. "It's definitely picking up in that respect. But as far as your average day at the beach, the scales are definitely tipped in the favor of the guys."  

The numbers may not be even for years to come. Until then women should continue to embrace the challenge of learning to surf, if only to experience the moments of joy that come with standing on a surfboard in the midst of a blue ocean.  

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