surfing, feminism Sophie Hellyer surfing, feminism Sophie Hellyer

Sticks And Stones // Surf Girl Magazine

On a recent photoshoot in the Maldives with Torq Surfboards, I asked the brand if we could invite some local female surfers. I thought it would be great to add some diversity to the catalogue, which is normally full of pictures of blonde-haired men and me, and may also provide a platform for the emergence of new role-models to inspire the islands' younger girls. When they agreed, I began to realise the scale of the challenge I had set myself. 'How many women even surf in the Maldives?' I wondered. Not many, it turns out. And could I even find one willing to join us?

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surfing, feminism Sophie Hellyer surfing, feminism Sophie Hellyer

Surf Like A Girl // The Wetsuit Outlet

There's a scene in Trouble, Lisa Andersen’s new film, where, over archival footage of her surfing Huntington Beach as a teen, she reflects on her early days as a competitive surfer. Andersen says: “I wanted to surf as good as the guys.” And here's the thing: Andersen did surf as good as the guys, but she surfed in her own way – as a woman – too.

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surfing, feminism Sophie Hellyer surfing, feminism Sophie Hellyer

Spot The Difference // The Gender Pay Disparity

Spot the difference? Same ocean, same waves, same result, half the money. If you think the gender pay gap isn’t real, look again. Last week, this photo at the Billabong Ballito Surfing Pro Junior Event in South Africa showing female surfer Zoe Steyn taking home just half the money of her male counterpart went viral.

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surfing Sophie Hellyer surfing Sophie Hellyer

Beyond The Break // Dive In

I chatted to Boardmasters for ‘Beyond The Break’ - a lifestyle series focusing on surfers who shape the surf scene and beyond; diving into their lives and getting to know them beyond the break.

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feminism, surfing Sophie Hellyer feminism, surfing Sophie Hellyer

Women In Action Sports // A Panel Discussion

Wow! What a great panel discussion we had last night at the ACM POP UP x WOMEN IN ACTION SPORTS down in Shoreditch. I joined downhill mountain bike champion Manon Carpenter, GB snow park and pipe performance manager Lesley McKenna, and host Sam Haddad to discuss the biggest issues facing women in action sports.

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surfing, feminism Sophie Hellyer surfing, feminism Sophie Hellyer

Woman’s Hour // BBC Radio 4

This morning I went live with Jenni Murray on BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour. We discussed the sexualisation of female athletes, the damaging monoculture we are all too often presented within the media, and the importance of more diverse role models.

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feminism, surfing Sophie Hellyer feminism, surfing Sophie Hellyer

The Beauty Myth // We Are Looking Sideways

In this podcast myself and Matt Barr discuss my move away from “the dream life”, bikini modelling for big surf brands and travelling the world, to slowing things down and immersing myself in the cold waters of Ireland. We discuss female objectification, the toxicity of gender stereotyping in surfing, and the prism of controversies that come along with it.

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