SURF’S NEW LINE

IT’S taken more than half a century but boardrider clubs are waking up to the fact a blokey culture has discouraged women from the sport.

Of course some women have ignored the male aggression in the water or used it as motivation to show men up and surf their way to the top. Our own Stephanie Gilmore is a prime example.

But while surfing has dragged its heels in turning into a truly professional sport with an organised approach, too many women have opted out, even though they have taken the plunge into surf culture in its other forms. The depth of popularity of that culture and its potential is evident in a huge worldwide fashion industry worth billions. The attitude now of clubs like North End Boardriders is highly refreshing and commendable. With surfing to debut as an Olympic sport in Tokyo in 2020, women have to jump on board – and the key to success will be a cultural shift as grassroots level, here in the nation’s surf city.