San Clemente CA— Surfing Heritage and Culture Center (SHACC) invites the surfing community to celebrate the opening of the new exhibit, “Trailblazers in Women’s Surfing” Saturday, April 25 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm., 110 Calle Iglesia in San Clemente The exhibit highlights the contributions and achievements of several of the world’s most influential female surfers during a timeline that spans over a century.
Beyond paying homage to surfing’s earliest trailblazers, such as Hawaiian Princess Ka’iulani, Australian Isobel Letham, and Mary Ann Hawkins who was a champion surfer and swimmer during the 1930s and 1940s, the exhibit and its timeline highlights the accomplishments of champions and trailblazers from each decade, including Linda Benson, Joyce Hoffman, Rell Sunn, Jericho Poppler, Margo Oberg, Gail Couper, Lynn Boyer, Debbie Beacham, Frieda Zamba, Lisa Andersen, Layne Beachley, Keala Kennelly, Cori Schumacher, Stephanie Gilmore, Bethany Hamilton, Carissa Moore and others.
To complement the historical perspective, the exhibit will showcase significant surfboards — from a 1920s solid redwood plank and a vintage Kivlin balsa wood board, to Joyce Hoffman’s 1960s model and Lisa Andersen’s modern thruster. Linda Benson’s Makaha trophy will also be on display as well as a collection of artifacts and memorabilia that includes, wetsuits, bathing suits, boardshorts, photographs and more.
According to SHACC’s Executive Director, Paul Strauch, “Trailblazers in Women’s Surfing” provides an engaging overview of women’s involvement and achievements in the sport from the early 1900s to today. “So many of these individual stories about personal determination and challenging the status quo in a male dominated sport will be inspirational for current and future generations of women surfers,” Strauch said. “Visitors are going to leave this exhibit with a much better understanding of the impact women have had and continue to have on the sport of surfing.”
The exhibit was made possible by a private grant and by Presenting Sponsor, Ipanema Swimwear, with additional support from SlipIns. The evening will include food courtesy of Mahé restaurant in Dana Point, a no-host bar serving wines from Longboard Vineyards and beer from Left Coast Brewing Company. Admission is free to SHACC members and $5 for non-members.
“Trailblazers in Women’s Surfing” will be on display at SHACC through mid June, then it will travel south to be featured at the American Association of University Women’s National Convention, June 18 – 21, at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina.
About SHACC.
Surfing Heritage & Culture Center is a 501 (c)3 non-profit dedicated to preserving, presenting and promoting surfing’s heritage for the appreciation and education of current and future generations. For more information visit www.surfingheritage.org or call (949) 388-0313 x0.