5 All Female Surf Films You Need to Watch
Surfing movies and films have brought the awesomeness of everything surf to the general public since the 1940s. Memorable movies like Endless Summer, Gidget, and North Shore solidified an obsession for riding waves that now captures 20 million ocean lovers today. Similar to the sport's history, surf films are mainly male-focused. They leave out the important female stars and stories of the sport. Here are our favorite female-focused surf films that bring light to the awesome badass gals of surfing.
Girls Can’t Surf
© Mad Man Films
A truly inspirational historical account of women like Pam Burridge, Jodie Cooper, Freida Zamba, Wendy Botha, Pauline Menczer, Layne Beachley, Liza Andersen, and more who fought to bring women equality to the world of Pro Surfing. In the 1980s, the Golden Age of surfing, the surf world was dominated by male competitions. Women's professional surfing was overshadowed by bikini contests, underfunded, and almost eliminated. Luckily, these pioneer women battled sexism and sought to change the surf industry forever, paving the way for surf icons like Stephanie Gilmore and Carissa Moore. Check out how to access this film here!
Inner Wild
An impressive show of Leah Dawson, Karina Rozunko, Makala Smith, Mele Saili, and Sarah Bradly’s skill and style, this film shows off the femininity, happiness, and creativity of female surfing. Per the request of the girl surf crew, filmmaker Jack Coleman sought to make a film that showcases role models young girls can look up to. The retro, classic filming and music shed light on the incredible abilities of the surfers and the beauty of the Mexico coastline. Watch the film here!
It Aint Pretty
This film focuses on the challenges and successes of badass female big-wave surfers. With an impressive display of talent and toughness, Bianca Valenti, Monique Kitamura, Savannah Shaughnessy, Rebecca Wunderlich, Sachi Cunningham, Beth Price Jeffris, Sarah Martins, Anna Wankel, and Suzie Yang challenge sexism in the lineup, competition, media, and the surf industry. Set in Ocean Beach, San Francisco, and Mavericks, the film captures some of the roughest and most brutal waves found in the US. You can watch the full movie here.
Surfing – An All Girls Surf Film
This light-hearted all-female surf film stars Stephanie Gilmore, Nikki Van Dijk, Tyler Wright, Macey Callaghan, and Dimity Stoyle. On a stage of beautiful Australian breaks, these world-renowned surfers show off their skills and smiles. Dan Scott shines a warm light on the true love and joy for riding waves that drive these fierce competitors. See the full film here.
Riss
Carissa Kainani Moore is a 5x World Champion, and arguably the best female surfer to ever live. She was the youngest person to win a world championship at age 18, the first Olympic gold medalist in women's surfing, and passionate about giving back to her community of Oahu. This funky and fun film is divided into three short vignettes that follow how Carissa came to be and the ups and downs of her journey to competition success. Learn more about this incredible Hawaiian-born badass in the film Riss.
Does watching a surfing movie or film make you want to get out in the waves? Check out the Jamie O’Brien Surf App here for anytime, anywhere surf coaching to take your surfing to the next level.
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