February 2005 Union-Tribune Article

Posted by Jenn James on Monday, May 09, 2005 (CST)

This is the second article the UT did on the Surf Ladies.

Surf Ladies promotes wave riding for women

By Michelle DeCrescenzo
COMMUNITY NEWS WRITER

February 11, 2005

SOLANA BEACH – Jennifer James decided to start San Diego Surf Ladies after a "quarter-life crisis" at age 25.

She transformed her grand vision of becoming a professional surfer into more realistic plans.

"I think I'm much better at helping other girls get to where they want to be," James said.

San Diego Surf Ladies is open to surfers with at least a basic proficiency and a knowledge of surfing etiquette. Membership has grown to nearly 160 people, with an average age of 27.

This month the club marks one year of bringing women – and a few men – together. The group will meet at 7 p.m. tomorrow in Solana Beach for a luau-style potluck to welcome new members and reminisce about accomplishments.

Gary Linden, surfboard shaper and big wave rider, will be the guest speaker.

The club meets monthly to surf breaks along the North Coast, including Fifteenth Street in Del Mar and Pipes in Cardiff. Surf trips are planned to Hawaii, Costa Rica and Mexico.

A trip to La Fonda in Baja California is planned for the first week of March. Participants will meet in Mexico for a weekend of camping, camaraderie and surfing.

"I want to open as many doors as possible for the members," James said.

This includes putting them in contact with professional surfers and taking them to new breaks.

James makes arrangements for experienced surfers to come to meetings to speak to members. Professional surfer Holly Beck talked to the women about competitions and sponsorship. Joe Roper, who owns a surfboard repair business in San Diego, opened his shop to members, taught them about ding repair and shared his experiences surfing Pipeline in Hawaii.

"One of the goals of the club is to see more women's surf clubs pop up," James said.

Wahine Kai Women's Surf Club of Huntington Beach is one such group. San Diego Surf Ladies is planning a competition against the Wahine Kai club this year.

Surf Ladies has a few "honorary surf lads," including Bill Andrews, one of the founders of Windansea Surf Club in La Jolla. Andrews took the women to surf at Blacks in La Jolla. It was the first time many of them had surfed the challenging break.

James doesn't discourage men from joining the club, but she encourages them to "bring something to the table."

Membership is free. For more information, go to www.sandiegosurfladies.com or call Jennifer James at (619) 248-6080.