International Surfing "women's" Day!

Riding Waves, Honoring Roots, and Repping the Gulf Today we celebrate International Surfing Day — #HonorTheOcean

Not just a sport, but a lifestyle, a rhythm, a calling. Surfing is where freedom meets nature, and where many of us feel most alive. But beyond the stoke and sunburns, this is a day to honor the deep cultural roots and powerful voices that shaped surfing into what it is today.  

The Origins of Surfing:

More Than a Sport. Surfing didn’t start in California — it began in Polynesia, with the oldest written accounts tracing back over a thousand years. In Hawai’i, surfing (called heʻe nalu) was a sacred art practiced by royalty. It was more than riding waves; it was spiritual. A connection to the ocean, to ancestors, and to the balance of life.  

Princess Kaʻiulani: The Surfer Queen

Let’s take a moment to honor Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani, one of Hawai’i’s most inspiring figures — a fierce surfer, a symbol of cultural pride, and a woman ahead of her time. Despite being born into a time of political upheaval, she stayed grounded in her traditions. Surfing was her escape and her strength. She rode the waves in Waikiki at a time when few women — especially of royal status — were publicly surfing. She reminded the world: surfing belongs to women, too.  

Women of the Surf From the shores of Hawai’i to the coasts of California and beyond, women have always been in the lineup — even when they weren’t always welcomed. Today, we celebrate female surfers of all backgrounds:

Trailblazers like Rell Sunn (the “Queen of Makaha”), who broke barriers and lifted her community through surf and service.

Modern icons like Carissa Moore, an Olympic gold medalist and advocate for youth and women in sports. And let’s not forget the local legends and moms, daughters, and groms who paddle out before sunrise and keep surf culture alive with grace, grit, and saltwater in their veins.  

Texas Gulf Surfers: Grit, Soul, and Pure Love for the Water Now let’s talk about our people.

Texas surfers don’t have perfect waves, but what we have is soul. We ride storm-born swells, wind-blown chop, and rare glassy mornings with the same stoke as anyone in the world. From Surfside to South Padre, we show up for the ocean — and for each other. We hustle harder, wait longer, and ride with heart. Texas surfers prove that surfing isn’t about the wave—it’s about the mindset. It’s about showing up even when the tide’s against you. It’s about community, connection, and culture. ⸻ So today, wherever you are, whether you’re paddling out or just watching the waves roll in — take a moment to honor the history, the heroes, and the homegrown heart of surfing. Here’s to Princesses, pioneers, and our Texas surf fam.

Happy International Surfing Day from all of us at Culture Coffee.

#InternationalSurfingDay #WomenWhoSurf #PrincessKaiulani #TexasSurfTribe #CultureCoffeeTX #SurfsideStrong #SaltwaterHearts