Women’s History Month: Erica Hosseini (Surfing)

Added by Gregg Snyder on March 22, 2012.

Today, in our continued celebration of Women in Sports for Women’s History Month we hit the waves with professional surfer, Erica Hosseini. Growing up in an athletic family living in California, it was only a natural progression to take up surfing. Taking this sport to the professional level however is a whole different story. This self proclaimed tomboy may be one of the most attractive ones you’ve ever seen. 

Take a look at what Erica had to say as she talked with us here at Double G Sports…

Growing up in Newport Beach, California was surfing the thing everyone did, or was there something else that got you interested in it?

I grew up on the beach and was a total tomboy competing with my brother in everything he did. I definitely always wanted to keep up with the boys. So taking up surfing was just a matter of time. And then I was hooked.

Did you take to it naturally or did you struggle at surfing when you first started?

I’m pretty athletic so I pick things up easily. Surfing was definitely harder to learn than other sports because mother nature is always throwing you a curve ball and the waves are never the same over and over again. So it took a while and there were obviously struggling moments, but I was pretty determined and loved it, so I wasn’t going to give it up!

At the age of 14 you became the youngest surfer (male or female) to ever make it to a final of an ASP pro event. How did that make you feel?

I was on Cloud-9 all weekend long. I can still remember the feeling of making heat by heat and not even knowing what was actually happening. It was after that event that I thought, “hey I could do this for a living” and become a professional surfer.

After experiencing success at such a young age, was it difficult to keep yourself from becoming overconfident?

No way. Surfing is so competitive and there is constantly someone younger and fresher coming up behind you to keep you on your toes. You need that confidence to help get you through heats and know deep down you have what it takes, but anything can happen in a 20 minute period. I remind myself that when I’m ahead, or behind and being overly confident I think can throw you off too much. I just try and do the best I can do, and not worry about what other people are doing in a heat.

Erica Hosseini

Do you see professional women surfers treated differently than the men? If so, what can be done to change that?

Definitely. The men like in any sport usually over shadow the women. But women’s surfing is growing and the talent coming up is so fun to watch.  So, hopefully people will realize that the girls are just as exciting to watch and we can get more and more events and sponsors to back us. But it’s always a work in progress but I think the main issue is just having more sponsors in the sport to support the girls and make the tour bigger and better.

You seem to keep up with your website and blog and so on. How important is it to you to stay in contact with your fans?

I love my blog. I created www.whereserica.com so my fans and family and whoever can see what I’m up to. Whether it be a contest, photo shoot, or just a fun day in a foreign country with my surfing friends and I wanted to make little behind the scene videos to make it fun and exciting. I do my best to update it often, but it is very hard in countries with slow internet and when I go to deserted areas. But please check it out and let me know what you’d like to see more of and what you think . Always up for changing and making it better.

Plus, I’m a total tech nerd and computer geek so it’s just another excuse for me to get more gadgets, video cameras and spend hours on my computer, haha!

Do you think movies like Blue Crush and Pointbreak have helped the popularity in the sport?

Yes and No. I think it helps but it also makes fun of either surfing in general or gives a bigger chance to hassle girl’s surfing. Hollywood sometimes puts a funny spin on the “pro-surf” outlook of life. But it’s entertaining nevertheless, and it’s definitely NOT going to hurt the sport. It’s just funny how they portray us sometimes.

A lot is made about the attractiveness of female athletes, and that includes surfers. You are always on or near the top of those lists, deservedly so. Is that something you take pride in? Or is is more uncomfortable for you?

I am extremely flattered and grateful that I make those lists. I’ve grown up from day one in this sport being used as a part time model and athlete marketing my sponsors. So I am very comfortable with it at this point. I do a lot of shoots and campaigns for the companies that I represent and outside editorial pieces. It keeps me on my toes and it helps me branch out from just the surf side of things. I really enjoy all the work and opportunities that I get from being a professional surfer.

If someone is looking to follow your career now and the rest of the year, where can we find you?

www.whereserica.com and www.twitter.com/ericahosseini

Come check out all the fun haps and shenanigans that I get into around the world!!!