LitPick Review
Surfer Girl, A Guide to the Surfing Life written by Sanoe Lake with Steven Jarrett is a fun, informative read about the sport of surfing. As a lifelong surfer and star of the surfing movie Blue Crush, Lake compiled this "how to" with Jarrett, a writer and fellow surfer, to guide young adult females interested in adopting the surfing lifestyle. The comprehensive details include everything from how to select a surfboard, to a step-by-step guide for catching your first wave and how not to lose your bikini top in the water.
Opinion:
Lake affectionately refers to readers as her "surf princesses." She is honest about the importance of learning surfing techniques and safety precautions before getting into the water to prevent injury. These tips include never surfing alone, how to protect skin from sun damage, the right way to fall off of a surfboard and how to deal with the reality of shark attacks.
Written in the first person and often with a humorous tone, the text is educational and easy- to-follow. Inspiring a girl power attitude, the notes from Lake's personal journal are endearing and effectively encourage an interest in learning respect for the sport of surfing and its aquatic environment. With personal advice such as how to pick out the best wet suit for your body type, Lake emphasizes the importance of a positive body image. Her advice also includes how to handle menstruating while surfing and how to deal with unwanted advances from surfer boys.
The brightly colored text, photographs and illustrations of surfing fashions and professional female surfers in action are well organized and create an overall visually appealing guide. I recommend this book not only for its intended audience, young adult females, but also for anyone interested in learning about the several thousand-year old sport of surfing.
