CATCH THE WAVE

Have you always thought surfing looks like so much fun but lacked the confidence to try it? Do you dream of having sun-bleached hair and surf-toned arms? Maybe you’d like to join those surfers you watch from the comfort of your beach towel? With women’s surfing booming as never before, now is the perfect time to grab a board and get out there! If you’re a girl who longs to mix it up with the boys in the surf, carve graceful lines across the face of a wave, and feel the exhilaration of surfing, this book is for you. Surf’s Up has it all, including

• what to look for when buying a surfboard

• how to find the right waves

• how to paddle out, catch waves, stand up, and turn your board

• a colorful history of women’s surfing, from Gidget to Beachley

• where to find North America’s dream surfing spots

Writing with the passion that comes from living the surfing life for more than fifteen years, Louise Southerden brings her love of surfing to every page, offering a glimpse of surfing subculture, surf lingo, the rules of the waves, and helpful tips from other surfer girls who have survived the learning-to-surf journey. Surf’s Up is encouraging and empowering: a book no surfer girl should be without!

"A surfer and writer from Sydney, Australia, Southerden speaks from the point of view of a woman who taught herself to surf without how-to guides and magazines to aid her. She learned the sport comparatively late in life, at age 24, and at a time when there were more sharks in the water than women. She wore wetsuits designed for men, surfed at non-crowded breaks at undesirable times and had no female pros to model her riding after. The author wants the next generation of wave riders to learn from her novice mistakes; she also hopes to give girls the early confidence that she lacked. 'You can't learn to surf from a book!' she acknowledges early on, and no one should expect to. But readers can learn drills to practice on days the ocean is flat, techniques to test the next time they paddle out to the lineup and the kind of information (the correct way to attach your leash, how to tell if you're regular- or goofy footed, how to select the right swimsuit) that is otherwise gained only by years of experience. She tackles girl-specific issues most learn-to-surf manuals neglect. ('My boobs get squished when I paddle my board'; 'Do girls need different surfboards?') and peppers the guide with tips on surf etiquette and advice from female pros. The research text at the end of the book provides a comprehensive list of women's surf organizations, camps and contests, as well as a dictionary of surf terms to help newbie surfers learn the lingo, maneuvers and equipment they'll need to look and sound like a pro. If you've always wanted to learn how to surf, but don't have an experienced friend to learn the ropes from, consider this progress-at-your-own-pace book your safety vest." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"The objective in surfing, whether you’re learning or competing as a pro, is to have fun, and Louise Southerden’s book will show you how to do that."

–Serena Brooke, professional surfer

“One surfer can change the tone of the whole line up–if you go out there and be friendly and have fun, pretty soon everyone around you will be having fun too. Louise Southerden’s Surf’s Up: The Girl’s Guide to Surfing gives all women young and old the foundation and the tips to feel confident enough to have fun and go surf!”

–Kathy Phillips, director, Eastern Surfing Association

A girlfriend's guide to surfing is penned by one of Australia's leading surfing journalists and a surfer girl herself. Photos throughout.