44 SurfGirl Magazine
What stands out as the most monumental moment
in surfing (in particular in women’s surfing)?
For me, it would be the announcement of equal prize
money for men and women. All things lead up to this
moment. Also, Steph’s 10 in the last minute in Bali was
the topper – I watched that wave over and over, and
more stoked every replay! She was more committed at
that moment to being one with that wave while having
the passion for surfing without limits, inhibition, fears or
boundaries.Was there anything you had to fight for?
It’s funny, I think back at times to how hard I fought for
women’s rights, value and respect in women’s surfing- at board level and in the media. It took me away from
focusing on my surfing. We put up the biggest, most
passionate fight for women’s surfing! It wasn’t until last
year when I heard the announcement of equal prize money
that I instantly cried with joy! We did it! It takes work from
generations before, today and tomorrow, to do great
things in the sport.
How has equality within the sport changed?
When I was on tour, it was a battle for women events
to even exist on the World Tour! In the 90s, one of the
guys on tour said in a surfer’s meeting: “How do we get
the women off of our tour?” I did girls surf camps with
my sponsors (O’Neill and Reef) during the early 2000s
to inspire more girls to surf, and to explore the different
possibilities in surfing and the surf industry, and to get to
know each other and support each other. I wish I had an
all-girls surf camp when I was growing up. When we as
women find the courage to do what we really want to do
and feel support, it goes a long way. Today, that support
for women is across the board at all levels.Do you think social media has helped increase
participation in surfing?
Most definitely! It’s easy to follow, and the outreach from
one person to the next is incredible in its capacity to share
and view.Where has surfing taken in your life? Has it opened
up doors you didn’t think existed?
Surfing has been my lifeline – from the beginning of my
success in my surfing career, to the feature film Blue
Crush, and travelling the world 20 times over. I can’t
imagine my life without it. I have gained a great deal of
wisdom that the ocean has taught me, as well as realised
how little I know and how much more there is to learn.
Through years of surfing and travelling I’ve learned a great
deal about biomechanics, the mind and the wellness of
the human body. It has given me the opportunity to create
my wellness and coaching business, Surf Into Yoga, where
I continue to meet people from all over the world, inspiring
people through surfing and wellness – its amazing!Is there a moment in your surfing career that stands
out amongst the rest?
Gosh, I can’t say one. I feel the day I scored two perfect
10s against Layne and beat Lisa in the final at Burleigh
heads was the first great moment that always stands out
to me. And the special event with Surfer Magazine and the
Op Pro Boat Challenge in the Mentawais was spectacular:
We scored the most amazing waves, with the top males
and females in the Surfer Poll, competing for the biggest
prize winnings at that time, and I won. We all shared the
prize money because we were so stoked to be surfing
together in such amazing waves. That’s the passion that
our generation had. We surfed hard, played hard, partied
hard and lived with a lot of passion!MIKE COOTS