Surf Girl Handbook
Edited by Louise Searle
(Orca Publications)
Thirty years ago, when I started surfing there were only a handful of girl surfers.
Since the movie Blue Crush a few years ago, you can sometimes find more girls in the surf at Muizenberg Corner than boys.
Having said that, this book just about covers everything you need to know about surfing – from buying a board, surf etiquette (an important aspect as very few surfers nowadays know the basic rules in riding waves) to how to get fit and what to eat.
Most important, it shows you the technique of how to get on to your feet after catching a wave. But I would still suggest you have an accomplished surfer show you how to do this – or go to a surf school for a few lessons.
The Surf Girl Handbook also covers how to paddle on your board, duck diving (the best way of going through waves to get to the back), all the essential moves such as the bottom turn, the cutback and then – when you are in your advanced stage of surfing – floaters and aerials.
And the biggest thrill of all, tube riding, where once you have experienced your first one, you will be hooked on surfing for life.
The book has a section on longboarding, which is a more elegant and graceful form of surfing compared with the faster, snappier shortboarding style.
As one of the top female surfers of the world Sally Fitzgibbons said: “The Surf Girl Handbook provides an invaluable guide for the novice right through to the semi-pro-surfer wanting some tips to take their surfing to the next level.”
In addition to all this, the book has some really great photographs of surfing and lifestyle.
I think this book is for boys, too, the only difference is that all the photographs are of girls.
The last part of the book discusses the different surf locations in the world – which adds to the excitement of surfing riding waves at new places and meeting new faces. - The Argus