The surfing industry’s deep-seated sexism was impossible to miss at a recent competition in Santa Cruz

The road to a professional surfing career has never been paved in gold — regardless of whether it was a boy or girl dreaming the dream. But as in most pursuits, the females have always had more obstacles to hurdle.

From grossly unequal prize purses to heats held during the worst tide conditions to bikini contests run at the same time female surfers competed, the male-dominated pro surfing industry has always been a ripe equal-rights battlefield. Read More