Laura seemingly came out of nowhere, going from grom to phenom overnight. She was this year’s 2008 Triple Crown Rookie of the Year, won the ISA World Juniors, placed third at the Reef Haleiwa Pro, and had a semifinal finish at the 2009 Billabong World Juniors. Variables: With such a big year in 2008, the only question is whether she’ll be able to back it up in 2009.
Forecast: Laura’s style has matured quickly and she’s developed a keen eye for reading waves. As she continues to mature, the 16-year-old has all the makings of becoming the next big deal out of Oz—expect to hear more about this one in years to come.
Fifty years after Gidget stirred up waves in the male-dominated surfing world, a new set of young women in their teens and 20s are revolutionizing the sport, from the beaches of Montauk to Australia. The best will be stoked to flaunt their tailslides and aerial maneuvers at this month’s U.S. Open of Surfing, in Huntington Beach, California—the Kentucky Derby of the ocean.
And these aren’t just beach bunnies paddling to “California Girls.” “It’s all about sharing waves,” says former world champ Sofia Mulanovich, 26, of Peru, in characteristic surfer parlance. “One of the best girl surfers could probably beat 80 percent of the men.” Which raises the question: How will the dudes impress them when they’re left behind, getting crushed inside the set?
