Oceanside, California is once again the epicenter of women’s sports and culture as the Super Girl Surf Pro festival returns. This premier event, the world’s largest women’s surf, music, and lifestyle festival, brings together hundreds of female athletes to compete across various extreme sports, fostering a spirit of sisterhood and empowerment.
Key Takeaways
- The festival features over 800 female athletes competing in surfing and other sports.
- Admission to all events, including concerts and classes, is free.
- The event includes a strong focus on mentoring young female athletes.
A Tidal Wave of Talent
The Super Girl Surf Pro is renowned for showcasing top female talent in surfing, with nearly 180 athletes expected to compete. Competitors like Nora Liotta from Hawaii and Zoe Chait from Northern California expressed their enthusiasm for the challenging yet empowering atmosphere, highlighting the supportive community that celebrates women’s achievements in sports.
Growth and Expansion
Since its inception 19 years ago with just 16 participants, the Super Girl Pro has experienced remarkable growth. This year, over 800 women are participating across all sporting events, including surfing, volleyball, soccer, and flag football. CEO Rick Bratman emphasized the festival’s mission to celebrate women and serve as a launching platform for their careers.
More Than Just Surfing
Beyond the high-stakes surf competition, the festival offers a comprehensive lifestyle experience. Attendees can enjoy free concerts featuring artists like Lupe Fiasco, Plain White T’s, and Jacob Knowles. Additionally, the event provides 25 free classes daily, speaker sessions, and panel discussions, all aimed at inspiring and empowering women.
Inspiring the Next Generation
A significant aspect of the festival is the Rising Tides mentoring program, run by the World Surf League. This initiative pairs young aspiring surfers with professional athletes, offering them invaluable guidance and inspiration. Two-time Super Girl Surf Pro winner Alyssa Spencer highlighted the importance of giving back and inspiring the next generation of female athletes.
The Super Girl Surf Festival is a testament to the growing presence and impact of women in sports and beyond, offering a free, aspirational, and inspirational environment for all attendees.
Sources
- Super Girl Surf Pro returns to Oceanside with 800 female athletes competing, 10News.com.
- Things to do this weekend in San Diego Sept. 12-14 – NBC 7 San Diego, NBC 7 San Diego.
- Young surfers mentored by pros at Super Girl Surf Festival in Oceanside, KPBS.
- World’s largest women’s surf festival kicks off in Oceanside, cbs8.com.
- Super Girl Surf Festival | KPBS Public Media, KPBS.
