Top Female Surf Documentaries You Need to Watch Right Now
From big-wave riding to breaking gender barriers, these top female surf documentaries spotlight the fearless women who have redefined the world of surfing. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, edge-of-your-seat wave action, or stories of sheer grit and determination, these ten surf films are a must-watch for anyone who loves the ocean and respects the courage of women in sport.
Bethany Hamilton: UNSTOPPABLE
Bethany Hamilton: UNSTOPPABLE is a female surf documentary that tells the story of surfer Bethany Hamilton, who at age 13 was out surfing when she was attacked by a 15-foot tiger shark, a run-in that cost Hamilton her left arm. But not only did Hamilton survive the attack, she was back on the competitive surfing circuit just a year later. More than a decade later, Hamilton, now a mother, undertakes her greatest challenge: chasing a toddler and the biggest wave of her career. Bethany Hamilton: UNSTOPPABLE is the untold story of the heart of a champion and her resilience against all odds to become one of the leading professional surfers of our time. Bethany Hamilton is a real life Super Woman of our times.
Surf Girls Jamaica (Extraordinary People Documentary)
Surf Girls Jamaica is a female surf documentary that focuses on Imani Wilmot, an inspirational Jamaican surfer who uses the sport as a means of transforming the tough lives of the women around her, in Kingston and surrounding areas. Imani has harnessed the power of surfing to empower these women through training camps which bring women together to learn the mindful art of riding waves. This develops self-motivation, entrepreneurial spirit, respect for the environment and a deep sense of community. Globally, Imani has taken it as her personal responsibility to empower women of colour to have access to surfing and see a place for themselves within the global surf industry.
Leah Dawson Might Save Women’s Surfing
“My biggest compliment is not that I surf like a man, but that I surf like a woman,” says Leah. “If someone watches me ride a wave, I want them at the end of it to know that I’m in love with the ocean.”
Dawson is also a storyteller. She makes compelling short female surf documentaries like Peanut Butter, a story about her relationship with a yellowed single fin that a lot of people might have thrown away. And she has a strong opinion about the representation of women in surfing. It’s not about sex. It’s not about performance in the water. For Leah, it’s about soul – another word so thoroughly bastardized from overuse that it’s sometimes hard to recognize when we see it. In Leah, it’s boiling. And she’s not militant or overzealous about how she’s profoundly adjusting the narrative in championing women’s surfing.
Feeling pumped?
Steer With your Heart: A film from the Voyage of Swell
“My voyage was born out of passion to surf the world and find a way to live lighter on the planet. And this film was created thanks to collaboration and support from loving friends and companies. I hope it inspires you to hear the callings of your heart.” –Captain Lizzy
A raw, touching female surf documentary about Captain Liz Clark’s decade-long voyage aboard her sailboat, Swell, in search of remote waves, new friends, and how to live in better harmony with Mother Earth.
Lakey Peterson – from 0 to 100
Filmmaker Aaron Lieber takes us around the world in this inspiring female surf documentary that charts the rise of one the most progressive women in surfing today. 2012 US Open winner, Lakey Peterson, provides an intimate window into her life sharing the struggles and triumphs she has faced along the way. Breathtaking cinematography and a killer soundtrack, make Zero to 100 unmissable. A true tale that will have you laughing, crying and doing push ups by the end.
Leave a Message
In 2011 Nike released Leave A Message. This all-female surf documentary combines some of the hottest female surfing outside of the competition circuit and creates a truly progressive vision of what surfing can be. The collection of talent and beauty features Carissa Moore (HI), Lakey Peterson (CA), Laura Enever (AUS), Coco Ho (HI), Monyca Byrne-Wickey (HI), and Malia Manuel (HI), delivering groundbreaking aerials and long barrels with a message that transcends well beyond the lineup: this generation of surfers has changed their sport.
Alternativa
In Summer of 2018, The Inertia traveled to El Salvador with Kassia Meador, Leah Dawson, and Lola Mignot, three outstanding women who are inspiring the next generation of ocean lovers through their alternative approach to both surfing and life. Each has developed a strong voice as a leader in surfing, and managed to do so on her own terms. They ride the boards they want, spearhead projects that speak to their passions, and keep their eyes peeled for interesting ways to engage that fascinating nexus where surfing and the rest of the world collide.
Coco Ho Documentary – A Look at the Famous Surfer’s career
Dive into the colorful female surf documentary of surfer Coco Ho from Oahu’s North Shore and learn how she got started surfing, her rich surfing family history, ups and downs on the Championship Tour, and everything in between. Including exclusive interviews with brother, Mason Ho, father, Michael Ho, and world champion surfers John John Florence and Stephanie Gilmore.
Alternative Lines: The Faces of Women’s Longboarding in 2018
“There’s a huge void in the market for shooting women’s longboarding right now so I’m glad this is what I get to do. I remember watching the “Lady Slide” segment in Thomas Campbell’s “Sprout” and becoming obsessed. Yet I have to admit, I was slightly annoyed that those few minutes were all I really had to reference in women’s longboarding. It was a huge catalyst in why I bought my first camera to shoot.” The edit above is a short edit filmed with some of her favorite moments from the last year, all cut to the fresh sounds of another female creative, Leanne Curren. Enjoy.
Getting Better at Canada
Hanna Scott, one of Canada’s top Female surfers, and her friends Tatum Monod and Sara Taylor, set out by boat to a remote location outside of Hanna’s home town Tofino, BC to explore the rugged wilderness in search of surf and escape. We experience the journey alongside the women as they playfully navigate the frigid waters and rugged conditions, in pursuit of the joy that lies on the other side of discomfort.
Laura Enever- UNDONE
UNDONE is a female surf documentary that follows Australian surfer Laura Enever as she transitions from the competitive World Surf League circuit to the world of big-wave surfing. Known for her fearless approach, Laura takes on some of the heaviest waves on the planet, including Shipstern Bluff in Tasmania and Oahu’s infamous outer reefs. This film captures the physical and emotional challenges Laura faces as she steps away from the comfort of competitive surfing to chase waves of consequence.
Girls Can’t Surf
Girls Can’t Surf is a female surf documentary that documents the battle for gender equality in surfing during the 1980s and 1990s. Featuring pioneering female surfers like Layne Beachley, Pam Burridge, and Pauline Menczer, the documentary showcases their fight against sexism and their efforts to gain respect and recognition in the male-dominated world of professional surfing. This documentary brings to light the systemic inequalities female surfers faced and how their determination reshaped professional surfing, making it more inclusive and equitable for future generations.
She Is The Ocean
She Is The Ocean follows nine extraordinary women from different walks of life who share a deep connection with the ocean. Among them are surfers, free divers, marine biologists, and ocean explorers, including famous surfer Keala Kennelly. The documentary explores their unique stories, relationships with the ocean, and how it shapes their lives. This film expands beyond just surfing, exploring the broader relationship women have with the ocean and showing how the sea plays a pivotal role in their personal empowerment and identity. One of those female surf documentaries that will stick with you for a long time.
Big vs Small: Joana Andrade
Big vs Small tells the story of Portuguese big-wave surfer Joana Andrade as she faces her fears and takes on some of the world’s most massive waves at Nazaré. The film also dives into Andrade’s journey to overcoming personal trauma and mental blocks while pursuing her passion for surfing. This documentary not only captures the physical challenges of big-wave surfing but also delves into the psychological aspects of fear, strength, and personal growth, offering a fresh perspective on what it takes to tackle the world’s biggest waves as a woman.
Water Get No Enemy: Women’s Perspective
Although not exclusively focused on female surfers, Water Get No Enemy explores the surf scene in post-conflict Liberia, where both men and women use surfing as a form of healing and community building. The film touches on the lives of young women in Liberia who find hope and freedom through the ocean. The film highlights the power of surfing in a broader social context, showing how it can be a tool for overcoming adversity and building a sense of purpose and connection for women in marginalized regions. These female surf documentaries tell important stories and widen our horizons.