International Women's Day: Supporting Women in the Surf Community
At Kudo Surf, we believe the ocean belongs to everyone. This International Women's Day, we're celebrating the incredible women who push boundaries in surfing and sharing how we can all create a more inclusive lineup.
This year for IWD the theme is #AccelerateAction towards gender equality. What does this mean for surfing? Keep reading for more!
Rising With the Tide: Women Supporting Women
The surf community thrives when women support each other. Whether it's sharing wave knowledge, offering encouragement after a wipeout, or simply a friendly acknowledgement of another woman's presence in the lineup, these connections matter. The bonds formed between women in the water create a foundation for growth that extends far beyond surfing.
How to Be an Ally in the Lineup
Supporting female surfers isn't just for other women—it's for everyone who loves the sport:
- Respect equal wave opportunities for all surfers regardless of gender
- Call out and shut down disrespectful behavior when you witness it
- Celebrate achievements of female surfers with the same enthusiasm as male counterparts
- Consider the power of inclusion when organizing surf trips or sessions
Spotlight on Female Athletes
Female surf athletes continue to redefine what's possible on a wave. Their dedication inspires us all, yet they often face unique challenges in gaining recognition, sponsorship, and equal pay. Supporting female athletes can be as simple as following their journeys on social media, attending women's competitions, or purchasing gear from brands that actively sponsor women.
Featured Filipina Athlete - Dianne Nogalo
This IWD we caught up with Cloud 9 native, Dianne Nogalo and had a quick chat on what it is like being a female athlete and a girl who surfs.
“In the Philippines, for famous athletes its so hard because for some competitions, its just men surfing….so for us its like ohhh its like men is better than women….so for us it makes our confidence get low if we don’t have competition…..thats why its harder for us to go somewhere (to compete)....we really want to but how can we do it if they cannot put lots of women’s competition”
We had a chat about what can make things better in the world of surfing in the Philippines,
“We can boost our confidence if we can compete, because the less we compete, the less we believe in ourselves…the level of men and women are just the same…they can surf, we can surf as well. what men can do…women can do as well.”
For all the girls who surf, from pro to beginner, Dianne says “just be yourself, don’t listen to other people, believe in yourself and be proud of yourself…she says we can cheer each other on and support each other in the water. So that even the beginners can think ‘oh I can do like this, I can do like that’...girl power!”
Dianne has been very fortunate to have strong female support from her relatives and Filipina surf legends Nildie and Nilbie Blancada.
“to have that kind of support is very nice…even if I say ‘I’m so bad’... ‘I’m so lucky because I have Nildie and Nilbie supporting on me..’Dianne you can do that we believe in you’…and that's how I boost my confidence because of them…they tell me you can do it, because sometimes you can think the negative thing…but the more you think positive, the more you boost your confidence”
Kudo on Supporting Women
At Kudo Surf, we're dedicated to creating gear that works for all bodies and supporting initiatives that make surfing more accessible to women worldwide. We believe in equal opportunities in competitions, media coverage, and sponsorships.
What can we do as individuals, businesses and a country to support our surfers?
- Create more opportunities for the girls to compete
- Provide equal prize money for male and female divisions
- Support female athletes. Follow their journeys. Follow them on social media. Give financial support to your favorite surfer girls.
- For men, support the girls in the water for a more equitable playground. Back up the girls, share waves fairly.
The future of surfing is bright, diverse, and powerful—just like the women who ride the waves. Join us in celebrating International Women's Day by making a commitment to support women in the water, today and every day.