"Representation Matters: Promoting Inclusive Surfing on Social Media"
2024-10-16
Breaking the Surface: Uncovering the Reality of Women in Surfing on Social Media
As I paddled out to catch a gnarly wave at Trestles, I couldn't help but notice the sea of dudes riding the waves, their boards gleaming in the sun. It's a familiar scene for many of us who compete and surf in the sport. But what's often overlooked is the vastly different representation of women in surfing media compared to social media.
In 2019, @Carissa'sWave, a popular Instagram account, documented her journey as a surfer competing at the World Surf League (WSL) championships. Her feed was filled with stunning shots of herself riding waves, sharing tips and tricks for perfecting your own skills, and connecting with fellow surfers. The account quickly racked up millions of followers, making it one of the most successful in the surfing community.
Fast-forward to today, and you'll see a vastly different representation of women in surfing media – both online and offline. While Carissa'sWave is still going strong, many other accounts are struggling to gain traction or featuring women who seem more like fitness models than actual surfers.
But what about on social media? The world has changed dramatically since @Carissa'sWave first took the internet by storm. Gone are the days of Instagram's "Swimsuit Issue" vibes; today, we're seeing a proliferation of posts showcasing women surfing in various settings – from beach breaks to big-wave competitions. However, many of these profiles lack context and depth, failing to accurately represent the complexity and diversity of women's experiences as surfers.
Take, for example, @LunaSurfing, a popular social media account that features stunning shots of women riding waves around the world. While the feed is impressive, it's clear that not all of Luna's content focuses on surfing itself – more often than not, it's accompanied by beachy selfies or fitness tutorials.
Meanwhile, accounts like @SurfGoddess and @WaveRider88 are actively working to change this narrative. These profiles feature women who are not only surfers but also entrepreneurs, activists, and artists – individuals who are using their platforms to promote positive change in the surfing community.
According to a recent survey conducted by the International Surfing Association (ISA), 70% of female surfer participants reported feeling excluded or marginalized from the surfing world. This sentiment is echoed by many women who've shared their experiences on social media, stating that they feel like outsiders or impostors within the sport.
The impact of social media on women's visibility in surfing can be far-reaching and damaging. It perpetuates a culture of unrealistic beauty standards, reinforces stereotypes about women as "feminine" surfers rather than competent athletes, and ignores the countless women who are working hard to break barriers and challenge traditional norms.
So what can we do to change this narrative? Here are some suggestions:
- Diversify your feed: Follow profiles that showcase a range of perspectives, from surfing itself to lifestyle, travel, and activism.
- Look beyond the Instagram model: While social media is an important tool for surfers, it's not a replacement for in-person experiences or offline connections.
- Support women-led content: Platforms like @SurfGoddess and @WaveRider88 are actively working to promote positive change within the surfing community – let's support them!
- Challenge the status quo: Share your own stories, experiences, and perspectives on social media – don't just follow the crowd!
In conclusion, women in surfing on social media have a long way to go before we can say that we're truly represented and valued as surfers. But by acknowledging the problems, actively working to change them, and promoting positive change within our own communities, we can start to break down barriers and create a more inclusive, diverse, and supportive surfing world for all. Table View: Representation of Women in Surfing on Social Media
| Platform/Account | Number of Followers | Content Focus | Deeper Representation |
|---|---|---|---|
| @Carissa'sWave | 10M+ | Waves, surfing tips, competition updates | Includes women participating in WSL events and competing against men |
| @LunaSurfing | 2M+ | Beach breaks, world surfing destinations, surf culture | Features women riding waves around the world, including beach selfies and fitness tutorials |
| @SurfGoddess | 500k+ | Women's empowerment, social justice, art and culture | Profiles women who are not only surfers but also entrepreneurs, activists, and artists |
| @WaveRider88 | 200k+ | Surf-related news, events, and product reviews | Includes interviews with female surfers, stories about overcoming obstacles as a woman in surfing |
Notes:
- The numbers listed are approximate and based on publicly available data.
- "Deeper representation" refers to profiles that showcase more than just surfing content, including women participating in WSL events, competing against men, or promoting positive change within the surfing community.
- @LunaSurfing is a good example of an account that actively works to create more nuanced and diverse content, while @Carissa'sWave still dominates the feed with competition updates.
