'Girls just wanna have fun' - this sums up women's surfing for me. It's definitely the fun element of surfing that encourages girls to surf and keeps them coming back for more. Sure, the physical and mental aspects of surfing are important to girls too - but who's smiling the most in the water? Girls love to surf alone and together, encouraging one another in the water and sharing the 'vibe'. Hoots and whistles are used in abundance when the 'chicks' are surfing.

More and more girls are taking up surfing. Mainly due to the exposure of the female professional surfers and the current trend of the boardsports. Girls see other girls out there having a go and also hear how much fun it is and before long they've got themselves a surfboard and have enrolled in a 'learn-to-surf'-course. More girls wanting to learn to surf has brought a need for more female surf coaches - yes, there are some differences when teaching girls to surf.

The whole profile of women's surfing has grown so quickly over the past 5 years. Girl grommets are looking to the current female professional surfers for inspiration and as a result there's some hot young girls coming through - it's an exciting time!

Layne Beachley (Australia) 3 times world champion is pushing the boundaries of big wave surfing for women. Doing tow-in sessions at some of Hawaii's big wave spots and surfing the heavy Hawaiian break'sunset' with confidence and ease.

Lisa Anderson (USA) 4 times world champion shows that women can surf with style. She is a real pleasure to watch.

Megan Abubo (Hawaii), the 'spray-queen'. Her powerful turns create 'bucketloads' of spray!

Rochelle Ballard (Hawaii) 'the tube-master'. She surfs barrels beautifully!

Serena Brooke (Australia). She surfs with both power and style. A good competitor and one to watch in the world rankings.

I've met so many girl surfers in my travels. We keep up to date with each other, swap surf stories and travel tips and inspire one another with our enthusiasm for surfing. It's fantastic, a network of female surfers has developed all over the world.

Women's surfing is a fun and exciting WAVE that's getting bigger and bigger. So get yourself (and a friend) to the beach and RIDE IT!!!!!

Text: Kelly "Kiwi" Walker