"Once you hit the water it doesn't matter whether you are male or female." - Kylie Webb
The Origin Women's Surfing
In modern society surfing has often been thought of as a male sport citing that it is beyond a woman's capacity to handle the intensity and endurance needed. Women were to be "ladylike" and show no signs of masculinity. However, women have enjoyed surfing from its beginnings including many Hawaiin Queens and Princesses.
One of the most powerful and renowned Chieftess' in history, Kaahumanu (1768-1832), the Queen Regent and favorite wife of Kamehameha the Great, was an avid surfer. According to records this "ladylike" creature endured some of the hardest, roughed reef breaks around.
One of the oldest known boards, called a "floater" was owned by the beloved chieftess, Kaneaumuna, who lived during the 1600's.Her principal amusement was he'e holua (coasting on a sled) and he'enalu (surfing). Legend has it that she insisted a sliding ground be made for her on a hill where she would spend hours perfecting her style. After her death these boards vanished. It is believed these boards were found in a burial cave by N.K. Pukui while on a tour of the island at Ho'okena. The boards, made out of wood from the 'ulu, a bread-fruit tree, is in excellent condition. These "Sleds of a chieftess," can be viewed at Honolulu's Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum.
In the early 1900's surfing had reached a standstill with the exception of a few surfers; among them being Princess Kalulaini, an expert surfer from around 1895 to the 1900's.
Interestingly enough, the first Australian surfer was not a man, but a woman; Isabel Letham. Even though her father banned her from riding a surfboard, Isabel spent all of her spare time at the beach. All this changed when Isabel was selected to ride tandem with Duke Kahanamoku in the first Hawaiin style surf demonstration. Her Father finally gave in and built her a a board to Duke's dimensions - a 56lb redwood board!
There are so many great female surfers that it is impossible to jot them all down on one page. Look soon for links to some of these accomplished women on the links page under pro surfers. But for now, makamaka, never let these Kahunas tell you that you are not capable of becoming one of the best surfers in the world!