With two world champions recently gracing the shorelines of Western Australia this year, both Kelly Slater and Layne Beachley have left the public of the Oz west coast wanting to see more of the champions of the sport.
While Slater was off sampling some of the waves down the South West corner of the state during the Margaret River Pro, it was Layne Beachley who stole the hearts of women from all ages at the inaugural Women’s Surf Spree.
The two day event provided a range of opportunities for women of all ages to meet this amazing female Australian athlete and to experience the pure joy of the sport of surfing. It was a huge success with Beachley winning the hearts and minds of all who particpated and were involved.
Beachley gave a talk which was not only inspirational, but also amazing as she touched on the ups and downs of her carreer, growing up in a male dominated sport, how she got started in surfing, and how she has become the most successful female surfer in the world…
Beachley also mixed it with them on the water and the beach on Friday running an intermediate course giving advanced girls tips and advice side by side in the water with the 7x World Champ. On Saturday Layne ran a number of one hour female beginners coaching sessions that took place at Trigg Beach assisted with professional instructors from Surfing WA.
Beachleys rise to fame and her world record of 7 world titles started early. By the age of 20 Beachley trained day and night which thrust her into the limelight of the professional tour. Pushing herself beyond her bodys limit Beachley was hit by two devestating bouts of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 1993 and 1996.
CFS nearly ended her carreer with the physical, mental, and emotional challenge, but she beat depression to stay focused on her ultimate goal and that was to be World Champion.
Layne’s competitive streak charges just as hard on land as in the water. In addition to her surfing and business commitments, in 2003 Layne created the Aim for the Stars Foundation to support and promote the academic, sporting, community and cultural dreams of young women.
Not one to take it easy, Layne continues to lead the way in women’s surfing as she pushes for an unbelievable seventh World Title. With a lust for personal and professional happiness, Layne Beachley lives her belief that there are no limits to achieving goals and great success.
After such a great reception the first time around, The Women’s Surf Spree organised by Surfing WA will now be an annual event on the WA surfing calendar. Women will be encouraged to learn to surf, and / or participate in surfing competitions to improve their surfing technique to increase WA’s pool of female surfing talent. This is one event that women should not miss next year.
