Surf Diva: A Girl's Guide to Getting Good Waves [Paperback]

Isabelle "Izzy" Tihanyi (Author), Caroline "Coco" Tihanyi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 7, 2005

From the founders of the original surf school for women, Surf Diva is both a witty, irreverently written lifestyle book and an informative how-to guide. Written with the Surf Diva School motto firmly in mind--"The best surfer in the water is the one having the most fun"--Surf Diva inspires women to suit up in neoprene and claim their share of male-dominated waves. Whether it's finding a welcoming beach or selecting the perfect surfboard, recovering from a wipeout or simply basking in the spirituality of the ocean, this book shows and tells you how to be a surfer with incomparable style and a healthy dose of beach attitude.

Offering advice from professional surfers, testimonials from surf students and instructors, and tips on how to stay safe while also having fun, Surf Diva is perfect for budding female surfers or any woman who has ever dreamed of catching a killer wave.

PRAISE FOR THE SURF DIVA SURF SCHOOL

"Surf Diva is the Starbucks of female-only surfing clinics; it's the model for scores of women's classes that have popped up around the world."-NEWSWEEK

"Surf Diva packed a real surf experience into two days. They taught camaraderie and chick power. They projected attitude, but not testosterone . . . Best of all, they got women . . . addicted to that rush of riding a wave. There is nothing like it." -LOS ANGELES TIMES

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Surf Diva packed a real surf experience into two days. They taught camaraderie and chick power. They projected attitude, but not testosterone . . . Best of all, they got women . . . addicted to that rush of riding a wave. There is nothing like it." (Los Angeles Times )

From the Back Cover

"The best surfer in the water is the one having the most fun."

Admit it: you've dreamed of jumping onto a surfboard and catching a killer wave. Every girl has. And now you can live that dream with professional instructors Izzy and Coco Tihanyi at your side. Izzy and Coco are the founders of Surf Diva Surf School, the original surf school for women, and it is their aloha attitude, their supremely contagious sense of fun, and their incomparable style (both surfing and fashion, of course) that has helped make women's surfing one of the fastest growing sports in the US.

[Can these be used as call-outs on the backpanel? ]
Advice from pro surfers and surf instructors on paddling out, popping up, and other essential techniques
The low-down on practicing good surfing etiquette and preserving our oceans
Tips from board shapers and seasoned surfers on which equipment is best for you
Testimonials from surf students and surf writers on how to turn a good surf session into a great one
The skinny on 'dude,' 'stoke' and other lineup lingo
Tips on how to stay safe while having fun outsmarting the guys who think they're better surfers than you ; )

So go on, live the dream, and see ya in the water!


What everybody's saying about SURF DIVA SURF SCHOOL

"Surf Diva taught camaraderie and chick power. Best of all, they got women . . . addicted to that rush of riding a wave. There is nothing like it." -Los Angeles Times

"When I finally stand up, Izzy goes nuts. "Take it all the way in!" she screams, and I do. All the Divas, scattered around us in the water, start whistling and applauding.... I am so proud of myself, I could cry."--Jenna McCarthy, Shape

"Surf Diva is the Starbucks of female-only surfing clinics."-Newsweek

As featured on the Today show and MTV, and in Time, USA Today, the New York Times, Elle, Marie Claire, Women's Sports and Fitness, and InStyle.

[Author photo]
In 1996 twin sisters IZZY TIHANYI and COCO TIHANYI founded the Surf Diva Surf School, the original all-girls surf school, where each year they teach thousands of women and girls to surf.. Izzy and Coco live (to surf) in La Jolla, California.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books; First Edition edition (February 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0156029863
• ISBN-13: 978-0156029865
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #531,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > Teens > Sports & Hobbies > Sports
  • #50 in Books > Teens > Sports & Hobbies > Girls in Sports

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars You might be a beach bunny, but surf diva?, March 22, 2006

By 

AliStar (Kamuela, HI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Surf Diva: A Girl's Guide to Getting Good Waves (Paperback)

This book was cute, but lacked real useful information and descriptions of techniques, moves and etiquette essential to holding your own in the water. Maybe because the authors run a surf school, they didn't want to give away all the good information that you pay a lot more for when you sign up for their school. This book was like a big advertisement for the surf school with extra tips about matching your bikini and toenail polish to your board. I appreciated the part about doing your part to keep the oceans clean, but that was the meatiest part of the book. I purchased two books for beginning female surfers at the same time. The other one was fabulous and I refer to it as a reference constantly. This one is more useful as a beach read on a flat day.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What I didn't know I needed, August 13, 2005

By 

redroomlaura (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Surf Diva: A Girl's Guide to Getting Good Waves (Paperback)

I was looking for a good book to help me learn the surfing basics so I could paddle out with my husband. This book makes surfing seem so darned fun I couldn't wait to get out there. Of course, my first time was like a washing machine and I'm covered in bruises -- but it was exhilarating! I wanted to give up at one point, but as I was dragging my board back to shore, I asked myself, is this what a diva would do? NO! I went back out (away from my husband this time) and was able to catch a wave (on my belly) for the first time! This book was very inspiring, especially because of all the stories and tips, such as not to have high expectations when you plan to surf, because the ocean is always presenting different scenarios. They also assure me that it's ok to catch waves laying down on the board in the beginning to get comfy with the feeling.

My one bit of feedback is that I would have liked a lot more how-to photos. I still don't quite understand how waves are measured, what constitutes "good waves", and how to get from laying down to popping up. This book did not cover some of the very basic concepts such as how to get onto the darned board gracefully or how to sit on it with out toppling over. They may assume that readers have taken their classes or already have some surf experience.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Blue Crush" meets "Sex and the City", March 11, 2005

By 

surfergrl70 "Surf Diva in Training" (Wilmington, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Surf Diva: A Girl's Guide to Getting Good Waves (Paperback)

Until "Surf Diva: A Girl's Guide to Getting Good Waves" came along, I never would have thought it was possible to get surf stoke from reading a book. But Izzy and Coco's writing will grab you, throw you a bottle of sunblock, and have you paddling out into some amazing swell....even if you're reading it while sitting on the couch.

The writing style is almost like chatting with one of your girlfriends....who just happens to have a plethora of knowledge about all things surfing related. VERY informative, INSANELY fun....with personality and humor pouring off of every page. You're right there, on the beach, pulling on your wetsuit and strapping on your leash.