Women’s surfing is very trendy now. Indeed, there is an increasing number of girls starting to surf: surf schools have gone from a ratio of 20% to 40% of girls over the last decade… And we want to say: Finally! As a matter of fact, it has not always been easy for female surfers to impose themselves in the industry and gain the recognition they deserve. And the democratization of women’s surfing has not yet reached its peak. That’s why Aloha Surf Camp Morocco decided to investigate and dedicate this article to women who honour the practice of surfing.
The first women’s surfing events appeared in 1976 and in the following year, in 1977, the first women’s World Championship Tour. Margo Obera, an American surfer, was the first woman to win the women’s WCT.
In the 1990s, women’s surfing was in great difficulty. Female surfers could not make a living of surfing and it was difficult for them to find their place in the ocean. However, that didn’t stop the American surfer Lisa Andersen from making her mark on women’s surfing history in these times. She has even competed on the men’s professional circuit. A documentary has been dedicated to her history. Here is the trailer:
Today, the best female surfers can win up to 4 times more money than 20 years ago in a competition. Why? It’s simple: women’s surfing has a very particular style, grace and technique that is very nice. Women’s surfing is aesthetic and that’s why it’s so trendy. Many professional female surfers make full use of this aesthetics specific to women’s surfing to give it the notoriety it deserves.
Here is an overview with the top 5 from the women’s WCT:
1. Stéphanie Gilmore: Australian surfer, she made her mark on women’s surfing history in the 2000s thanks to her wonderful style. She was the youngest woman in the world to win the World Championship Tour in 2007.
2. Caroline Marks: American surfer, she is impressive both for her surfing style and her youth since she is only 17 years old.
3. Carissa Moore: Hawaiian surfer, she became the youngest world champion in surfing in 2011.
4. Sally Fitzgibbons: Australian surfer.
5. Courtney Conlogue, American surfer.
Even if Morocco is full of an incredible number of surfing spots and surf schools, the first women’s surfing competition in Morocco only appeared 3 years ago. To the delight of professional female surfers around the world, Morocco hosted the Roxy Pro international surfing competition in Casablanca in 2016 for an entire week with a competition for women.
The pioneer of women’s surfing in Morocco is Fatima Zahra Berrada, 40 years old today and from Casablanca. She is THE most recognized female surfer in Morocco. Indeed, at only 18 years old, she qualified for the World Championships in the United States and reached the 9th place. She is the first Moroccan woman in the history of women’s surfing to represent Morocco at an international competition. Today, she fights against stereotypes that limit women to staying at home rather than surfing. Indeed, its beginnings were not always easy. Men found it hard to accept that a woman could surf big waves. They stole her waves and were sometimes hard on her. Today, she has proven her worth and everyone respects her in a good atmosphere.
Among Morocco’s high hopes for women ther is Meryem El Gardoum. You want to know everything about Meryem? Check out this other article from Aloha Surf Camp!
Other hopes for Moroccan women’s surfing include Lilias Tebbaï, 14-year-old. Indeed, Lilias won against her eldest Fatima Zahra Berrada and Meryem El Gardoum in March 2018 during the Agadir Open Grand Prix… Just that! Her objective? Beat Kelly Slater’s record! We can say it: the next generation is guaranteed!
So, girls, does that make you want to get started? Don’t hesitate any longer! At Aloha Surf Camp Morocco our teachers will be delighted to help you learn to handle the waves like real pros. Here, you will feel at home and will have the opportunity to meet many other women who surf. We’ll treat you like queens, we promise!
Aloha from Taghazout
Hotel Aloha Surf Camp Maroc Auberge, Tamraght, Agadir
(+212) 6 61 15 23 36
