Meet the ladies behind WOMANERA.
“As a woman in the lineup, I’ve experienced it all. I’ve had people tell me, “You can’t get all the waves just because you’re a girl.” Other times, people snake me because they think women miss most of their waves. If anything, those experiences are what have pushed me to become a better surfer.” – KRISTIN VAN DER KLOOT
“Our oceans hold a lot of space for anyone who is willing to invest time, no matter how you do it. It’s common ground. For me, it is not so much about what gender you are, but rather what attitude you have.” – SANNA HORVALLIUS
“To perform, it’s more about striking a balance between motivation, technique, strength, flexibility, experience, mindset, being well-surrounded, etc. The important thing is to feel like you belong and to feel good there. As far as I am concerned, I belong on the wave.” – JUSTINE DUPONT
“From a professional standpoint, it’s important to mention that even though there are less women in competitions, we invest in the sport just as much as men. The time spent on the water, the training sessions, the risks we take by pushing our limits, are all the same. Thus, the rewards should be the same, but it’s unfortunately still very difficult for people to recognize that.” – PAULINE VALESA
“Women are just as committed. They ride the same storm, the same waves, the same gusts, but they will always set themselves apart with this hint of softness that emanates from them.” – CHARLOTTE CONSORTI
“On the water, I am particularly proud to be a woman. I think it is a strength and an asset.” – LOLA BOUTIN
“But what about being a woman in this sport? Sometimes, I wonder if it is harder to get on the podium or to be respected. We are not only judged on our performances, but also on our clothes, our bodies, the way we talk, with whom we socialize, our sexual choices, and even how we spend our money.” – MARCELA WITT