Surf's Up

March 1, 2005
A surfer and writer from Sydney, Australia, Southerden speaks from the point of view of a woman who taught herself to surf without how-to guides and magazines to aid her. She learned the sport comparatively late in life, at age 24, and at a time when there were more sharks in the water than women. She wore wetsuits designed for men, surfed at non-crowded breaks at undesirable times and had no female pros to model her riding after. The author wants the next generation of wave riders to learn from her novice mistakes; she also hopes to give girls the early confidence that she lacked. "You can't learn to surf from a book!" she acknowledges early on, and no one should expect to. But readers can learn drills to practice on days the ocean is flat, techniques to test the next time they paddle out to the lineup and the kind of information (the correct way to attach your leash, how to tell if you're regular- or goofy footed, how to select the right swimsuit) that is otherwise gained only by years of experience. She tackles girl-specific issues most learn-to-surf manuals neglect. ("My boobs get squished when I paddle my board"; "Do girls need different surfboards?") and peppers the guide with tips on surf etiquette and advice from female pros. The research text at the end of the book provides a comprehensive list of women's surf organizations, camps and contests, as well as a dictionary of surf terms to help newbie surfers learn the lingo, maneuvers and equipment they'll need to look and sound like a pro. If you've always wanted to learn how to surf, but don't have an experienced friend to learn the ropes from, consider this progress-at-your-own-pace book your safety vest.

February 1, 2005
This cute book from Southerden, former editor of Waves SurfGirl magazine (Australia), accomplishes the tricky feat of creating a beginning surfing book aimed at teenage girls without being condescending. Reading this book is like having a best girlfriend share the secrets of surfing-not only the basics but especially the things boys couldn't tell you, such as how to keep your bikini top from falling off, how to change clothes at the beach, or how to find a board the right size if you are petite. There's also helpful advice on locating girl-friendly surf shops and schools and overcoming machismo in the water. The book is presented in a relaxed style with lots of pictures and tips, all featuring female surfers. In general titles, female concerns are, at best, included as a sidebar, but this book is focused squarely on an important demographic where surfing is rising in popularity. Recommended for public and school libraries-especially where there's good surfing nearby.-Christina L. Hennessey, Loyola Marymount Univ., Los Angeles

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2005
Gr 9 Up -This manual includes a history of women in the sport, information on current champions, and plenty of black-and-white photos to help girls get up and go on a surfboard. It is more detailed and gives substantially more instruction than Sanoe Lake and Steven Jarrett's "Surfer Girl"(Little, Brown, 2005). Southerden describes how to read the weather and wave shapes, and presents quite a bit of advanced instruction and tips, such as -dropping in - on someone while catching a wave. She also addresses sensitive issues women may face while surfing. The author's encouraging tone and the experts' anecdotes sprinkled throughout the book will comfort novices, and there is plenty of advanced information for experienced surfers. With lists of organizations, schools and camps, and shops (all slightly biased toward the West Coast and Hawaii), this book will be a popular choice where interest in this sport is high." -Karen Hoth, Marathon Middle/High School, FL"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2005
(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)