The body positivity movement has taken the world by storm. The conventional standards of beauty and what bodies should look like are being bashed left, right, and center. Amongst advocates of acceptance of all shapes and sizes, are two women who have taken it upon themselves to bring about a change in surfing.

In a world of toxic parameters defining beauty, plus-size people have only just begun to gain a voice in the crowd. Surfing might not be seen as a sport for curvy people. But Elizabeth Sneed and Lani Loa Kane are determined to prove to curvy people that surfing can be their game as well.

The curvy trailblazers in surfing

Elizabeth Sneed, or the ‘Curvy Surfer Girl’, has pioneered an inclusive movement for female athletes. Her vision is simple: the entire history of surfing has been exclusive of all kinds of bodies, and she is here to do away with these ancient directives. Her goal is, “to reach as many women around the world as I can, to inspire to get in the water… to encourage other women to join surfing that may not be traditionally welcomed.” In a short interview posted by Good Morning America (GMA), Sneed said, “Growing up as an athlete my entire life, there was definitely a female archetype and body type that was standard.”

Sneed’s great friend and fellow curvy surfer, Lani Loa Kane also explained what the traditional idea of a female surfer is supposed to be. “They were taught they had to be a particular size to even learn to surf,” she said. Kane expressed her anger at this, and said, “And it breaks my heart because I’m like. “No! That’s not what any of this is about.” She added, “The ocean doesn’t judge who you are. The ocean doesn’t care who you are. I had to remind myself when I get on the water like, “Girl catch your wave and enjoy the ride.”” 

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Both women are Hawaiin surfers and fast friends who are changing the sport of surfing one wave at a time. Lani Loa Kane also talked about how at one point in time, surfing was the most natural thing for her. However, life took its course and she stopped surfing for 13 years. In the video, Kane explained how her surfing hiatus ended when she met Elizabeth Sneed. Sneed rekindled the love for surfing that Kane had lost. And together, they have started a movement to bring as many women of diversity as they can into surfing.

The birth of Curvy Surfer Girl

Sneed also revealed her journey, and said, “I worked with this local surf school in Waikiki. I mean, surfing is very complicated. Most people, it takes a lifetime to become really proficient and skilled at it.” Although, for Sneed, it was like a cakewalk. She recalled, “And here I was, at almost 27 years old, in a very curvy body, trying to, you know, open myself up…” Sneed credits her surf coach, who really helped her come out of her cocoon.

Kane also remembered the first time she stripped down to just her swimsuit, and how it made her realize that she was a completely different, and still a beautiful person. all the negative thoughts disappeared and she thought, “this is my home… this is my life.” Sneed, during her surfing journey, found that there was a dearth of swimsuits for the curvier body. So she designed some herself and launched a swimwear line.

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What these women have already achieved, and hope to achieve in the future, is proof of the fact that promoting curviness is not the same as promoting the ‘obesity’ culture. Even though they don’t fit conventional standards, they are two fit women who get out on the water and break stereotypes everyday.