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Interview with Izzy Tihanyi and Coco Tihanyi
Surf Diva: A Girl’s Guide to Getting Good Waves |
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| In 1996 twin sisters Izzy Tihanyi and Coco Tihanyi founded the Surf Diva Surf School, the original all-girls surf school, where each year they teach thousands of women and girls to surf. Surf Diva has been featured on the Today show and in Time, USA Today, the New York Times, and InStyle, among other publications. Izzy and Coco live in La Jolla, California. |
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Synopsis |
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From the founders of the original surf school for women, Surf Diva is both a witty, irreverently written lifestyle book and an informative how-to guide. Written with the Surf Diva School motto firmly in mind—"The best surfer in the water is the one having the most fun"—Surf Diva inspires women to suit up in neoprene and claim their share of male-dominated waves. Whether it's finding a welcoming beach or selecting the perfect surfboard, recovering from a wipeout or simply basking in the spirituality of the ocean, this book shows and tells you how to be a surfer with incomparable style and a healthy dose of beach attitude.
Offering advice from professional surfers, testimonials from surf students and instructors, and tips on how to stay safe while also having fun, Surf Diva is perfect for budding female surfers or any woman who has ever dreamed of catching a killer wave.
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Interview |
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Q: In 1996 you founded Surf Diva Surf School—the world’s first surf school for women and girls—in La Jolla, California. And since then, you’ve taught thousands of women how to surf, and you’ve grabbed the attention of the mainstream media, including Time, New York Times, and Elle. How has Surf Diva changed the face of surfing for beginner women?
A: I think Surf Diva has given women a place where they can learn to surf and feel comfortable doing so. When we started Surf Diva, there were no programs that were geared toward helping women learn to surf in a fun and encouraging environment. Learning to surf can be a daunting experience. More often than not, you would find yourself in a group of teenage boys throwing sand and seaweed at each other. Or even worse, women were being taught by less-than-patient husbands or male friends. Many women can be discouraged by trying to learn from friends or relatives. Instruction from a skilled pro will make all the difference. Our instructors are kind, patient, and love what they do.
Q: Why did you feel it was important to write Surf Diva: A Girl's Guide to Getting Good Waves?
A: There is so much to learn about surfing that it can take years to absorb all of the intricacies of the sport. The book allows the reader to gain a strong understanding of the nuances of surfing in an accelerated and easy-to-follow manner. Reading the tips alone will progress a surfer to the next level, without her having to learn it the hard way. Women appreciate this, as we have better things to do than make the same mistakes over again. The message is also about how surfing is a great way for girls to gain self-confidence. If you can handle the ocean and its challenges, you can deal with life on land much easier.
Q: Both of you have been surfing since childhood, and Izzy competed at the collegiate level at University of California-San Diego. Over the past decade, you've instructed tweens, teens, moms, and movie stars. How does Surf Diva prepare women to surf?
A: In addition to teaching ocean awareness, pop-ups, the famous stingray shuffle, and general safety and etiquette rules, we encourage women to lose their inhibitions for a day. We want the women who come to Surf Diva to have a fun and positive experience. It really doesn't matter if they don't stand up. Catching a wave and riding it on your tummy can be just as exhilarating! It's not about looking good, and it's not about competition. It's about having fun, meeting new people, and learning something that is life-enriching.
Q: The mantra throughout the book is, "The best surfer in the water is the one having the most fun." In your opinion, how does your book reflect that attitude?
A: Well, the book is written in a very humorous style. It's full of anecdotes and jokes. We try not to take ourselves too seriously. The book is informative and full of handy tips and advice, but we've tried to make it really fun to read. It's all told with a little bit of aloha attitude!
Q: In the "Surfing as a Way of Life" section, you make a valuable point: preserving the ocean environment is just as important as having fun in the ocean. What's an easy way for readers to get involved and help save the ocean's waves?
A: I think respecting the environment and our oceans is something that you have to embrace in your whole life. It's something you have to believe in. We can all do our part. We have chosen to donate part of the profits from Surf Diva to the Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of our oceans. We are also members of the Waterkeeper Alliance. There are lots of organizations that you can join: Greenpeace, the Marine Resources Project, SeaWeb, The Ocean Conservancy, and more. Check out Surfrider.org for a local chapter near you. Remember, it all starts at home—try to think globally but act locally. Try to support companies that give back to preserve our environment.
Q: What's your best advice for aspiring surfers who are afraid to learn? Maybe they're nervous about getting pummeled by a wave or they're worried about what's lurking below the surface.
A: If you are afraid to learn, it could be because you've had a bad experience or just because you have a healthy respect for the ocean. By learning to swim under the waves and familiarizing yourself with ocean currents, you'll feel much more confident in the water. Lots of women (and men, although they are less likely to admit it) are afraid of sharks. I think a history of movies like Jaws has added to our worries. Sure, there are places where sharks can be a problem, so we try to avoid those areas, if possible. In Southern California, there is little proven risk involved with sharks. In other areas, it's good to avoid murky water near a rivermouth where sharks like to hang out. Listen to your intuition: If you feel uneasy, paddle in.
Q: What was your biggest mental obstacle when you paddled out for the first time?
A: I didn't have one—I was three! Later, as a teen, it became the boys. Sixteen-year-old girls think that everyone is watching and judging their every move. Newsflash, ladies: Nobody cares what you are doing, how many times you are wiping out, or if you have mascara running down your face. Everyone else is too busy trying to catch their own waves to worry about yours. As long as you follow etiquette and don't get in the way, you'll be fine.
Q: Why should every woman learn how to surf?
A: Because it's a truly liberating experience to feel the power of the ocean. It's fun, but it's also a lot more than that. Surfing is both physical and mental. The energy that you put into paddling comes back a thousand times when you ride a wave. Nothing else matters at that moment but focusing on that wave. Problems melt away, time stops, and adrenalin pumps. Surfing is spirituality on a stick. Besides, every woman should get wet, salty hair and let their mascara run down their face (and laugh about it) every once in a while.
Q: What do you say to surfers who think women should stay out of the water?
A: I don't have to say anything—I just show them how it's done. They soon shut up!
Q: In the last nine years, you've expanded the Surf Diva brand by adding surfboards, surf gear, a clothing line, and now a book. What's your next venture?
A: Who knows. Global Diva Domination? We have introduced "Welcome to the Jungle" surf adventures in Costa Rica as our latest program. We also recently launched day camps for kids, so that parents can surf and relax while their children can have fun with counselors who are specifically trained to teach young rippers, or grommets as we call them. We are considering offers for Surf Diva stationery and journals with handmade paper and natural pigment dyes. There is also interest in a swimwear line, but we are taking our time to work out the best quality and fabrics for Surf Diva. We also want to sponsor more up-and-coming young Surf Divas and encourage them to follow their dreams. In our impressionable teen years, we were both encouraged and supported by strong female role models who inspired us. We remember what that felt like and will continue to motivate and empower girls and women wherever we can.
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