Documenting the female surfing experience.
The Women and the Waves is a documentary surf film that explores the lives of female surfers who, through the decades, have chosen to paddle head first into the male-dominated sport of surfing and found a place of their own. Surfer girls, women who surf, women who don’t, female athletes, and the men who love them gain insight into what it’s like to “Surf like a Girl!” This inspiring female surfing film, featuring generations of women surfers, reveals what has transcended surfing’s status as a sport to become a passion so strong; it is the dominant force in their lives.
This is filmmaker, Heather Hudson’s first film about female surfing.
Featuring: Linda Benson, Robin Janiszeufski Hesson “Zeuf”, Ashley Lloyd, Kim Mearig, Heather Tiddens, Jennifer Useldinger, Aubrey Falk, Rachel Harris, Deb Trauntvein, Shakira Westdorp
Read about the sequel, Women and the Waves 2.
Testimonials:
Girls have always gone surfing. Ancient Hawaiian stories about women surfing better than the men started killing feuds among the alii. Anyone who is a surfer knows that experience, technique and finesse count for more than simple brute strength, so why shouldn’t women surf well? Graciegirl LLC has a new film called “The Women and the Waves” that is a thoughtful and provocative look at a few women who surf very well. Check it out and afterwards you may have to reassess the girls out in the line-up to give them their space based on ability and not on gender. The fact is some of them may be able to surf circles around you.
Well finally, after years of waiting and wishing, you and your friends have come through with a picture capturing the hearts and souls of true women of the ocean and surfing world, as I have always felt it to be, but thought I was alone and others didn’t understand. Your documentary captures it all with great narration to complete the picture. I don’t know if I ever met these women but I somehow live in them. They are the real thing.
This movie is the best I’ve ever seen as far as capturing what it really feels like to be a female surfer. This isn’t Roxy glitter or angry feminists complaining about getting the short straw. This is real. It’s awesome.
Through thought-provoking commentary, archival and modern footage, and interviews with a handful of well-cast female surfers–former world champions Linda Benson and Kim Mearig, as well as upcoming pros and lifelong surfers– this 48 minute film documents the evolution of female surfing. Not focused on logos, it serves as a well-rounded, indie account of the estrogen-filled side of the sport.
What the Audience is Saying:
“This is certain to be a historic film about women in surfing. It’s done in such a heartfelt way, superb editing and fantastic soundtrack” H.M.
“It was really an incredible documentary that totally opened up my awareness to an aspect of surfing I’d never considered before. What a gift.” C.K.
“Salty, Surfy and Female!” S.S.
“It’s a gem.” S.W.
Film Festivals 2009-2012:
Santa Barbara International Film Festival
San Luis Obispo International Film Festival
Santa Cruz Film Festival
Maui Film Festival
Spot X Surf Fest (Australian Premiere)
Ventura Film Festival
New York Surf Film Festival
Bend Film Festival
Taos Mountain Film
La Femme Film Festival
Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival
The Surf Show, Waveriders Festival, Bristol, UK
Taranaki Surf Film Premieres, New Zealand
Tynemouth Surf Film Festival, N.E. England
Montezuma Film Festival, Sano Banano, Costa Rica
Flagstaff Mountain Film, Arizona, U S A
Honolulu Surf Film Fest./Hawaii Academy of the Arts
San Diego Surf Film Festival @ Birds Surf Shed
More Screenings in 2009-2012:
Benefit Screening for: Heal the Ocean
Benefit Screening for: Marine Mammal Center
Peabody Essex Museum, Salem Mass.
Surfrider Foundation: East Long Island Chapter Fundraiser
Beach Shorts Film Fest: Hermosa Beach, Ca.
Benefit Screening for: California Surf Museum
Film Series @ University of Hawaii, Oahu
Byron Bay Community Centre Screening
“Appetiser” to the Yallingup Surfilm Festival
Surf Nite at Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
“Girls in the Curl Surf Event”: Pepperdine University, Malibu, Ca.
Surf Nite at Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
Dos Pueblos Surf Team Fundraiser, Goleta, California
“The Present Moment” Screening: Troncones, Guerrero, Mexico
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
Whistler/Blackcomb, British Colombia, Canada
Cocoa Beach Surf Museum Screening, Florida
“Waves of Change” Solana Beach, Ca.
Jane Pickens Theater Screening, Newport, R.I.
Reviews:
GravityMagazine.com, August 2010
SurfMadam.com, June 2010
SurfTalk.co.uk, June 2010
Sportsister Magazine, May 2010
Drift Europe, April 2010
Cooler, January 2010
YLS Surf Magazine, October 2009
Surfer Magazine, August 2009
Women’s Adventure Magazine, June 2009
Women’s Surf Style Magazine (WSSM), Summer 2009
Central Coast Magazine (CCM), May 2009