Select a region
Surfing is often seen as a care-free sport defined by a sense of community and a laid-back atmosphere, yet some women in Jersey have told Express that the journey to find their place in the lineup can be riddled with challenges far beyond the waves themselves – from enduring judgement, ridicule, and sexist comments to more overt forms of male aggression.
The challenges faced by women in male-dominated sports – and the growing efforts to overcome them – are the focus of a special series by Express.
As part of this investigation, local surfers Teresa Rowles, Daisy McAllister, and Eleanor Amy opened up about their experiences of the sport – and how the culture created by competitive men can be more intimidating than the waves themselves...
For 23-year-old Teresa Rowles, the barriers faced by female surfers often stem from the subtle yet pervasive forms of sexism that seem to be ever-present within the scene.
Originally from Portugal, she fell in love with the ocean early on. But when she began surfing in Jersey at age 16, she quickly noticed how outnumbered she was as a woman in the water, which led to her feeling intimidated by male surfers at first.
Pictured: Teresa was born in a town on the west coast of Portugal and spent most of her childhood by the sea. (Max Burnett)
“There have been multiple times where I’ve been the only woman in the lineup,” Teresa said. “While I feel kind of comfortable with it now, I know how hard it can feel for beginners.
“It can add to the feeling of exclusivity and makes it less inviting. It's harder for you to feel like you're going to fit in."
Teresa also spoke about forms of "everyday sexism" and how women often feel they need to "prove themselves" in the male-centred environment before being taken seriously.
"I've always felt like I needed to catch one really good wave at the start of my surf to prove to all the guys there that I could hold my own and so that they would respect my place in the lineup."
She added: "Women are consistently underestimated in sports, and the focus can often be put on their appearance, instead of their ability."
This sense of needing to prove oneself in a male-dominated space is echoed by fellow surfer Daisy McAllister, who began surfing at just six years old.
“Being accepted and respected as a woman in the lineup - based purely on skill and love for surfing - isn’t unheard of, but it’s definitely harder to achieve than it is for men,” Daisy said.
Pictured: Daisy McAllister is a trainee teacher who began surfing when she was six.
"I don’t think surfing is welcoming and supportive towards women, especially towards women learning to surf as an adult."
She continued: “We can see the sexism at our local beaches in the ways that women in the surf are mocked for their ability," the 23-year-old added.
“The messaging is often that women couldn’t surf as well as their male counterparts and that to make it as a competitive female surfer you had to be conventionally attractive.”
For both young women, unsolicited advice from male surfers is a frequent issue.
Teresa recalled being told, many times, to “paddle harder” or “commit to a wave” by men who often assumed she needed guidance.
“Unless a girl asks for advice, she really doesn't want to be shouted at in the lineup with random surf tips, and the chances are that she is probably paddling as hard as she can!”
Despite the obstacles posed by male-dominated environments and sexist attitudes, change is underway both globally and locally.
In 2020, women were finally allowed to compete at Hawaii's iconic Pipeline for the first time, followed by Tahiti's legendary Teahupoo in 2021.
Caitlin Simmers also recently made history as the youngest World Surf League world women's champion at just 18 years old.
Pictured: Pipeline is a famous surf spot located on the North Shore of Oahu in Hawaii.
Closer to home, the launch of The Glide Gals, a women’s surf club founded by Eleanor Amy, is a positive step forward.
“The Glide Gals is a supportive, welcoming and judgement-free environment to come surf, have fun and make friends.” the 20-year-old explained.
Inspired by her experiences surfing with women’s groups in Cornwall, Eleanor said she felt compelled to create a similar space in Jersey.
Pictured: Eleanor Amy, who started "regularly' surfing three years agree, argues that "surf culture is very male-dominated". (Jemma Daniel)
"I have always felt a bit out of place and rather lonely when sat out in the water, often completely surrounded by men twice my age and occasionally the only female in the water."
"When I surfed with a women's group in Cornwall, I had never felt so welcomed, supported and at ease in the water. Being surrounded by a group of like-minded women in the water was incredible."
This is something that both Teresa and Daisy think will make a huge difference in encouraging newcomers to stick with surfing.
Pictured: The Glide Gals club first met up in November (Jemma Daniel)
"I've found that girls and women tend to be a lot more comfortable surfing a spot when they're joined by other girls there,” Teresa observed. “The whole vibe and the feel of the session feels so much more light-hearted, and everybody seems to be having a lot more fun.”
Daisy added: “The more women in the water, the more we are a surfing community.”
However, cultural change takes time, and Eleanor acknowledged that feeling intimidated by male surfers is still a significant barrier.
“Unfortunately I've had some unpleasant encounters with men in the surf and it's put me off surfing certain spots even as someone who now knows most of the faces in the water.
“If I was a learner again this would for sure be my biggest barrier as one bad experience then leads to an endless anxiety about more happening.
“It just makes you feel like you don't deserve or belong there which could not be further from the truth, the ocean isn't there to judge and everyone is welcome regardless.”
Pictured: "The ocean isn't there to judge and everyone is welcome regardless". (Jemma Daniel)
Teresa has also encountered such challenges. “Once, a surfer boy told me that when I paddled for a wave, he would go for it too, because he assumed I wouldn’t catch it and he could beat me to it."
Outside the water, pressures around body image also add to the challenges women face.
Daisy said: "I became aware as a young teenager that women in surfing were hyper-sexualised and objectified and that being perceived in that way at the age made me incredibly uncomfortable.
"To feel as though I was respected and recognised for my ability in surfing rather than my appearance, I almost completely repressed my femininity and therefore a massive part of my self-expression which is something I’m only reconnecting with and expressing now in my early twenties.
"There were almost no professional female surfers when I was a young teenager who expressed their femininity in a way that was not for the purpose of male consumption, by which I mean that the female surfers I saw represented were thin, white and blonde."
Teresa also spoke out about how inappropriate comments on women's surfwear reflect outdated attitudes and double standards that need to change.
“I’ve heard people comment on how ‘It is ridiculous that girls wear such little clothes while surfing’. And that's just completely wild to me, because are we really going to comment on what girls in a male-dominated sport are wearing?
Pictured: 'Surf suits' are often enjoyed by female surfers in warmer climates for the increased flexibility and range of motion that they provide.
"Why aren't we just allowing girls to wear whatever they want to for the four weeks of the summer where the water is warm enough to enjoy the feeling and the flexibility of having not much material on you?
"Maybe comment on their ability to surf rather than what they're wearing?
"I see men surfing in speedos in the summer, and I've never once heard a comment come from somebody saying, 'Oh, they're not wearing a lot of clothes. That's kind of inappropriate. Maybe they should cover up more!'
"No. they're always talking about the wave they got or the sick trick that they did. This just doesn't happen to men."
Despite these hurdles, the women all agree on the transformative power of surfing and encourage others to give it a try.
“It’s amazing for your mental health,” Teresa said. “You get fresh air, meet amazing people, and the community is vibrant and welcoming once you get to know it.”
Daisy added: “For change to happen, women need to keep showing up in the surf and for each other. We’re not competing for male validation; the more women there are, the stronger our surfing community will be.
Pictured: Teresa is a 23-year-old accountant who spends her free time surfing. (Max Burnett)
"It is an absolutely fantastic sport and largely everyone in the water is easygoing and accepting so don’t be put off by the few."
Eleanor’s advice for women looking to get into surfing? “Just go for it!”
She added: “Forget about expectations or judgement just dive in and give it a go. You don't have to be any good to have fun and at the end of the day, that's what surfing is all about.
"If you need some ocean advice, would like a lesson or to hire equipment we have some great surf schools run by some wonderful people who would be happy to help you out.”
NEXT: Express looks at the challenges and opportunities for women in the world of cricket.
Follow Express for updates... Sign up to our FREE daily news email now to get all the latest headlines delivered to your inbox each lunchtime...
How can gyms be more welcoming to women?
WOMEN IN SPORT: What are the main barriers to participation?
DIGEST: New report uncovers "systemic gender inequalities"
Pictured top: Teresa Rowles. (Max Burnett)
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.