When City College student Jordyn Druary first began surfing in her hometown of Newport Beach, she was usually the only girl in the water. Druary was initiated into the sport at a very young age because of her proximity to the ocean and a father who is a longtime surfer.
Druary was often frustrated at what she felt was denied to her by genetics: A strong upper body and natural strength. When she compared her abilities with boys, especially her brother, they didn’t match up.
“When I was younger, I’d get so mad because paddling was so easy for him,” she recalled.
Many years later, Druary is still surfing and enjoys the waves Santa Barbara has to offer. “There are so many secret spots, that even when it’s crowded, you can find your own section,” she said. “The water is a lot colder up here though.”
Druary is no longer the only female in the water. She is joined by a new crop of young women attracted to a sport that is more accepting of women and has many who are professionals. The surfing industry promotes and sponsors its female superstars. They have their own clothing lines, surf videos and legions of fans.
Kendra Kadam, UCSB student, is Druary’s surf buddy and agrees that there is a new appreciation for women in the sport.
“There are so many more girls out in the water now, especially in the last few years,” Kadam said. “One day we looked around and saw so many more.”
Even with this progress, Kadam and Druary said they feel that women still have to prove and assert themselves every time they go out in the water.
“Girls don’t get special favors in the water,” Druary said. They explained that when a girl is surfing she has to be actively catching waves or guys will take their waves, or “drop in on us.”
“Once you are catching waves, guys will back off and treat you like everyone else,” Druary said. “Then it becomes a competition,” Kadam said smiling.
They said that surfing is like most other sports; a male dominated activity. But, girls are progressing with both style and strength.
“Girls are slowly catching up to guys,” Kadam said. “But they weren’t athletic equals to begin with, so it’s going to take a little time.”
Druary’s favorite waves in Santa Barbara are Campus Point, Sands and world-class surf locale, Rincon. She says the idea of localism, or that one section of the ocean belongs to the group that lives nearby, is something surfers from other areas always have to deal with.
“There are guys who have been surfing Rincon for years, and they aren’t happy when we try to catch their waves,” says Druary.
She believes surfing is more than a sport; it is a lifestyle. She said surfing makes her appreciate her surroundings.
“You learn to love and care about nature, especially the ocean because it’s where you spend all your time,” Druary said.
Surfing means different things to different people; just like each wave is different explained Druary. Kadam notices when she hasn’t surfed in awhile, she definitely feels different.
“If I don’t surf for a week, I feel dirty,” she said. Druary responded, “You need to get in to the water to feel clean again.”
The ways these two recent transplants from down south find Santa Barbara’s closely guarded surf spots is by word of mouth, meeting people or just exploring.
“You just drive down the 101; there are so many places,” Druary said.
One thing that bothers them is the girls’ who say they surf, but don’t even own a board or wetsuit. Druary and Kadam will continue to surf throughout winter, when the waves are good and the water temperature drops dramatically. The girls who don’t really surf are more likely to stay out of the water, according to Kadam.
“In winter they don’t wear wetsuits, so there are less of them,” Kadam said.