SAN FRANCISCO (September 27, 2005) - With boards firmly fixed on car racks, they drove from as far south in California as Morro Bay and as far east as Concord – all headed for the San Francisco coast. They came to compete. But more importantly, they came to share a day of “surf celebration” at the beach with fellow surfers and hundreds of spectators. As Northern California’s women surfers, they are part of the fastest growing female sport on the planet, according to Board-Trac.

The NorCal Women’s Surf Club’s annual Surf Fest, held on September 10, was blessed with sunny skies and strong waves at Pacifica’s Linda Mar State Beach. Girls and women ages 6-60 competed for top honors in 17 divisions. In addition to the competition, Surf Fest offered beginners’ surf lessons, free Pilates, massage, surf board demos and raffle prizes (with grand prize give-a-ways of surfboards and airline tickets to Mexico).

Demonstrating the inclusive culture of the women’s surfing community, Surf Fest encouraged male surfers to enter the “SF Style Session” - a Bay-to-Breakers-meets-surf-contest event - where they surfed in drag. “SF Style Session” contestants were judged for their surfing prowess and costume “fabulousness.”

“We were really impressed with the caliber of surfing we saw at this year’s Surf Fest - a true testament to the time and energy women are putting into surfing,” said Anne Moellering , Nor Cal Women’s Surf Club co-founder. “Women tend to create community around the activities they participate in. In surfing, this has helped to inspire and encourage more women of all ages to experience the thrill of surfing and the intense-but-calming connection with nature that surfing offers.”

Sponsors of the NorCal Women’s Surf Fest included Alaska Airlines, NorCal Surf and SF Shops, Cobalt and Mystic Surf Boards, Las Olas Surf Adventures and Patagonia Water Girl among many others. Surf lessons were taught by NCWSC partner Adventure Out.

The NCWSC is a grassroots organization joining the growing ranks of female surfers worldwide. "We founded this club in 2001 to celebrate women's surfing and give back to our surf community,” said Judith Cohen, co-founder, NCWSC. “We now have over 700 women surfers from Bolinas up North to Morro Bay in the South, tripling our membership over the past two years. And the more we grow, the more we can give back!"

Proceeds from the event will benefit three organizations in the surfing community: local chapters of the Surfrider Foundation, SurfAid International and Pacifica State Beach.

For complete contest results, visit http://www.ncwsc.com/events_surffest_05_results.htm.

About NorCal Women’s Surf Club
Started by four surfer friends in 2001, the NCWSC now has over 700 women surfers from Bolinas to Santa Cruz . We’re dedicated to celebrating and supporting women’s surfing in Northern California . We host events ranging from local surf days and BBQs to beach clean-ups, surf trips and more. We also share knowledge on everything from ding repair to 1st board buying tips & surf etiquette. We’re always looking for ways to support our surf community - contact us!