Abstract
Surfing, often seen as a symbol of freedom, remains deeply shaped by gender norms and a gendered hierarchy. These dynamics influence not only professional competitions but also the practices and experiences of amateur female surfers. This study aims to investigate how the gender binary and gender norms in surfing affect the participation, confidence, and perceived legitimacy of amateur female surfers. Drawing on theoretical frameworks such as gender performativity (Butler, 1990), hegemonic masculinity (Connell & Messerschmidt, 2005), and media representations in sports (Trebilcock & Hoeber, 2020), I hypothesize that these norms and representations directly impact surfers’ behaviors and perceptions. For instance, the persistent notion of women’s supposed inferiority and the media’s underrepresentation of female performances may hinder their active participation on surfing spots. To address these questions, my qualitative methodology combines group and semi-structured individual interviews conducted with amateur female surfers who practice regularly in France (ocean surfing) and in Quebec (river surfing). Now that I have completed my data collection, I present my results. The findings will help identify concrete measures to promote a more inclusive and equitable surfing environment. I present and discuss results from this research, shedding light on actionable strategies to deconstruct gender norms within the sport.
Presenters
Louise CollardStudent, Master's Degree, University of Québec at Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Sporting Cultures and Identities
KEYWORDS
SURFING, BICATEGORIZATION, GENDER NORMS, PROFESSIONAL SURFING, AMATEUR SURFING, MEDIA, REPRESENTATIONS
