From vital points, to lessons learned, read how the Super Girl Pro continues to inspire the next generation.
There is an element to surfing that when you watch in person, a part of you becomes drawn to the water. The desire to surf, to balance yourself with the power of the ocean, is one that cannot be replicated by any other means then when you watch in person. It is a power that inspires you to push yourself into finding a passion within yourself. It’s that inspiration that sports can have on an individual that makes events like the Super Girl Surf Pro have a lasting impact on the lives of many people in attendance.
The world’s top professional female surfers will be back in Oceanside for the 12th annual Super Girl Surf Pro, a 3 day event July 26 – 28th, 2019. The weekend will be jam-packed with competitions that will have you on your toes and a festival village loaded with female-inspired vendors, activities and entertainment. The event is free to attend! But if you cannot make it, watch the live broadcast here.
The Super Girl Pro is the only World Surf League (WSL) 6000 level (Scale 1000-10,000) event in the U.S., and it kicks off a vital leg for the women with 16,000 total points on the line in a matter of two weeks in Southern California that will truly paint the qualification picture at its end. With only two major events following this leg, it is an exquisite opportunity for these women to catapult themselves up the rankings or hold their ground firmly among the top of the ranking.
But, a big result in Oceanside is not easy to come by for the QS elite with thirteen of the women’s CT in attendance including former event winners Tatiana Weston-Webb, Sage Erickson, and Malia Manuel. But, the QS rankings leader Isabella Nichols is just one of the many talents on hand that can give them a run for their money along with wildcards Bethany Hamilton and Alana Blanchard adding to a stacked cast once more.
“In the past, an event like this, a women’s only event, felt forced and that we had to sell it,” said event host and professional snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis. “We had to manufacture the excitement through a long hard process. Now people are seeking us out and wanting to be a part of our growth. It is really amazing to see that changeover, especially for the girls in the industry to see that growth forefront especially with surfing moving into the Olympics it allows for another level of progression and opportunities to inspire more.”
“It is a great time to be a woman in competitive surfing right now,” said Tia Blanco. “From equal pay, to the quality of surfing in both the men’s and women’s classes, the sport of surfing in general is getting better and better every year.”
The Super Girl Pro is a place where you can not only watch the best women professional surfers, but a place where you can watch hundreds of young girls cautiously approach their favorite pro surfers only to be welcomed with graciousness, smiles and thoughtful words. The ear-to-ear smiles, the sparkling eyes of youth, and the skips down the beach clutching a newly autographed hat or piece of paper is a scene that makes you realize the power of sports. These ladies don’t only showcase the current state of women’s high performance surfing, they also inspire an entire generation of girl groms who no doubt are dreaming of riding waves of their own one day soon.
For Jacobellis, an Olympian snowboard cross racer, and a part of the Super Girl Pro series in snowboarding, there are lessons that can be learned.
“I love the sport of surfing,” said Jacobellis. “There are so many layers to it that are different than snowboard cross. I have competed in one event in surfing and it was a knowledge gathering experience for me. To learn about priority, how to select the best waves and more, it has allowed me to connect to the other girls as an event host asking the questions that help educate people outside of the industry and showcase the mindset of the surfer to grow the industry and women’s sports.”
From free concerts, a skate course and a female DJ, the Super Girl Pro is all about showcasing that you can do whatever you are passionate about.
“That is why I love surfing,” said Blanco. “To have an ability to find a passion in life and to be able to use it for others to feel that passion and want to find their own path is special. I have put an emphasis on finding the joy of competing in the event with a smile on my face. I want others to feel of my love for surfing and everything surfing has given to me.”
“The goal is to encourage others to find their path and that no matter what, you can do it, whatever that it may be,” said Jacobellis. “I never thought I would be where I am today, but this event allows me to learn, observe and grow beyond snowboarding and it is those experiences that I can bring back to snowboarding to encourage others to be limitless.”
The Nissan Super Girl Pro will run at Oceanside Pier beginning July 26 – 28, 2019.