Catalyst.

As much as blogging is about the individual using a platform to air their views it is also about open dialogues and community. Blogs provide an amphitheater in which ideas and thoughts can be discussed from different perspectives, very healthy, when its big topics there for analysis. 

Real women have curves and surfboards is largely a place of solace for me, but its also an opportunity to examine the feminine stance. In a week which has seen the internet discussed widely in Britain and how social media can sometimes be a place for vigilantes against equality, I feel more than ever its imperative that both men and women alike, start and continue conversations surrounding gender equality. 

I was initially nervous when approached by sponsors, I didn't want my blog to become something that I didn't recognize. I am however infinitely glad I continued my conversation with ActivInstinct, yes they are a sports brand, yes they're good and I would suggest looking at their stuff but they also produced this fantastic article for me. Its a reflection on the recent Roxy promo video. We're just people talking to other people and isn't it wonderful that we've opened a dialogue about the representation of women. Whatever side of the fence you stand on this debate, I feel the important thing is that we're making it a conversation and with more talk comes more understanding. 

To remind you here is the Roxy video. 

 

We know my opinions on it but here's ActivInstinct's perspective. 

Promo video for top women’s surfing which event features no surfing… Am I missing something?

Writing on behalf of UK sports brand and leading wetsuit manufacturer, ActivInstinct, published writer and anti-sexist blogger Maya Verber comments on the controversial promotional video released for The Roxy Pro, Biarratz, and the problem with how female athletes are portrayed in the media.

When leading surf brand, Roxy, recently released a promotional video for The Roxy Pro, Biarratz, the second to last stop on the women’s world championship tour, outrage and criticism was widespread.

Controversy surrounded the short film, which features world champion surfer, Stephanie Gilmore, for a number of reasons.  The anonymous ‘teaser’ was posted under the hashtag, ‘#WhoAmIJustGuess’ and as such, you are not shown the female surfer’s face at any time, (it was later revealed that Gilmore was the star, and a full length video was posted). What does feature, heavily, are supposedly arty shots of Gilmore’s bottom. During the piece, Gilmore writhes around on her bed, almost naked, before stepping into the shower, putting on a tiny bikini and heading to the beach. No actual surfing, bar a close up of her bottom as she paddles out for a few seconds, appears.

While clearly Roxy were trying to create a buzz and promote intrigue around their event, the product is at best reminiscent of a sexy girl in a music video, and at worst, as put by Guardianjournalist Tia Calvo, ‘voyeuristic semi soft-core porn’.

The fact that Gilmore is not even shown standing up on her surfboard at all during the clip, despite her awe-inspiring talent and five-time world champion status, highlights the way in which female athletes are consistently sexualized in the media, and particularly when they are featured in advertising campaigns and endorsements.

I see no problem with Gilmore looking attractive, or even sexy - she has previously appeared inVogue, looking beautiful, and is a great ambassador for a sport which has been fighting for gender equality for years.

Roxy have almost always used size 6, stereotypical ‘surfer’ girls in their ad campaigns in the past and commented, in response to the criticism of this film:

“We believe all athletes are naturally beautiful, in and out of the water. You certainly don't have to be sexy to be an athlete, and we also believe it's not wrong to be an athlete and to be sexy, if you choose to be. We don't judge one to be better than the other and we don't believe in excluding one for other.”

However, I think it is important to note that this is not an advertisement for Roxy clothing. It is a promotional video for a surfing competition – which doesn't show any surfing. How can that not be problematic?

Written by Maya Verber

Pretty good don't you think?! I was really stoked when I read the article, not only is it very well written it sums up my frustration towards Roxy and the representation of female surfers perfectly. So...

We need to talk, what do have to say for yourself ladies? 

(And gentlemen, we're inclusive here at RWHCS)!

Stay strong, surf well 

Love Sophia  

Sirena.

 
















Sirena means mermaid in Spanish.  
Women in the water often have many different connotations, to sailors gone by we were bad luck, or mythical creatures who lured ships to their peril. Later we were deemed too frail and indecent to be allowed to swim or when we did impressions were that of disdain or disbelief. 

Talk to any modern female surfer and the feeling is of evolution and positive change, girls are coming through the ranks ripping harder, faster and doing more dynamic manoeuvres.  

Women are defining themselves not as better or worse but different. 

And yet there is still a blurred line in existence between female surfers and modelling. It appears a chicken and egg phenomenon when examining the competitive surf industry - what came first the surfing or the modelling? Without the big sponsors surfers full stop would find it difficult to afford to get to contests and have the relevant equipment, which is ironic when you think the ocean is free. 


In the aftermath of the 2012 Olympics in London many of the female athletes, despite winning medals are struggling to find sponsors. Helen Glover, who won Britain's first gold medal of the London Games with Heather Stanning in the women's rowing pairs, despite her high profile - Glover went on to win BBC TV's Superstars - the 26-year-old has failed to attract a personal sponsor, as have all her medal-winning colleagues. 

In the plight of Brit Andy Murray winning Wimbledon British newspapers called his success 'First win since 1936' completely forgetting Virginia Wade who won the Women's Singles Championships at Wimbledon on 1 July 1977 and was the last British tennis player to have won a Grand Slam singles tournament until Andy Murray won the US Open in 2012. 

When I read this it makes me incredulous. Especially in the context of surfing where my impression is that if you wear clothes well you have more opportunities available to you. 

In the upcoming weeks sports brand activinstinct are writing a post for me about their perspectives on the recent Roxy Pro video. Without giving too much away its caused major controversy for appearing more like a soft porn film than for representing female surfers actually, well, surfing. 

In my meanderings I've recently come across these two videos which I feel show the energy of female surfers. The first is 'Water Warriors' by the bikini brand Calvera. Yes the girls are attractive in this video but that is not the point, they are fierce and it concentrates solely on their abilities- Ride on sisters! 

The second video is from the blog The Sea Life and the video is called 'Jack and his girl.' Although the video isn't exclusively about Roya the female surfer featured, she steals the show for just surfing pretty dam well. I like how the video perfectly illustrates the linearities and differences between male and female surfers and how perfect they are in their differences. A stunningly, well made video!