THE MYTH OF THE BIKINI BODY
“Sophie Everard explores the fallacy of “the bikini body” and how body confidence is on the rise in the line-up. “
SurfGirl Magazine Editorial, Summer 2020
“Ever since the bikini exploded into the public consciousness in 1946 when French engineer
Louis Réard introduced the contemporary bikini (the name for the design stemming from the Bikini Atoll where atomic bomb testing was taking place), it has provoked controversy and conversation. With the rise of surfing as a competitive sport and also as a globally enjoyed sport by millions of women, the image of a female surfer had seemed stuck in a by-gone era. The days of “sex sells” delivered cookie-cutter marketing images of women in swimwear surfing, which ultimately, arguably led to a damaging environment, for both athletes, and the body-confidence movement as a whole. But change is arguably on the rise, with a more positive discourse settling in, following public outcry and movements that have compounded change.
As a surfer, my love of the ocean and playing in the waves has enjoyed a journey hand in hand with my mind and body as I work my way through girl-hood to woman-hood. Charting through the days of pubescence when I defy you to find ANY girl that doesn’t feel slightly self-conscious as we ride out hormones, zits, growing boobs and getting our periods, to learning more about my body, and what ultimately, enables me to feel confident, has run in tandem with my adventures in the water. As I have settled into my adult body, I live life in a way where I endeavor to feel physically and mentally strong as much as possible, which has been hugely positively impacted by my love of surfing and the physical and emotional strength I believe it gives me. I have learnt more about my own body-confidence in the water than anywhere, for it has been in the water I have felt my strongest, and consequently, most body-confident. Body-confidence woes are seemingly submerged by the stoke and strength surfing gives me, and I just don’t give two toots as to what I look like, as I want to focus more on having a blast and catching waves. My confidence in swimwear has soared when I have simply felt my healthiest and happiest version of myself. And that truly differs from women to women.
As the owner of a women’s surf retreat business I am lucky to connect with and meet a whole kaleidoscope of different girls and women, of all backgrounds, ethnicities, shapes and sizes. Coaching girls, and having been a personal trainer, I am fortunate to witness first-hand the positive effects of leading a healthy lifestyle, of how playing in the ocean, feeling strong, cerebrally and physically, can be incredibly empowering, and ultimately, give you the best version of body-confidence possible. And that simply takes away any qualms or worries of wearing swimwear or being conscious of how we look in it when heading out into the lineup.
And hey guess what, being a female surfer doesn’t mean you conform to what in the past has been a two-dimensional typecast of typically, a slimmer, white, blond female. In addition to noting what helps to amplify my own body-confidence in the water, namely, happiness and health, it is not the worry of swimwear and how it looks, but rather, how it is performing for me: swimwear that isn’t going to end up washed up on the beach or around my ankles. And that, I have learnt, is the same for most women. There is not one specific way to “look” as a surfer, and actually I think we are long past those days. Being fully immersed in the broad spectrum that constitutes the reality of surfing as a woman on my retreats means I also talk widely with my guests about what makes them feel confident. It has become patently clear that women simply just won’t stand for that kind of excluding messaging: a cookie-cutter image of a stereotypical “bikini body”, or a surfer girl as hypersexualised marketing fodder. A resounding cry that actually, ANY body is a bikini body and surfers and consumers are indeed desiring a far-more positive portrayal of this has clearly surfaced.
Niche and independent brands like the awesome British based Zennor Bikini & Tilia Rose who are now catering to a more homogenous buying audience are booming. It’s been heartening too to see brands like Volcom step-up to the mark, their “Every Body” range of swimwear extending their women's size range from XS-XXL in select styles. Equally, cultural talking points like lady-slider Lauren Hill’s self-produced surf-short film “Pear Shaped”, which cast a satirical tone on the realities of surfing and what wearing swimwear actually is like for women in the water, contributes to this more accurate representation of women in surfing. “Pear Shaped” challenged hyper-sexualized images of sexy surfers with tongue in cheek normalcy, showcasing the day-to day realism of what paddling into the line-up in a bikini can be like for women. We aren’t all perfectly smooth-shaved, in teeny bikinis that don’t keep many women’s breasts or nether regions safely covered. Hell, some of us may have more body hair. Maybe we’re on our periods, and might have a leak or two. It happens. But with 50% of the public experiencing menstruation, THIS is normalcy, and female surfers shouldn’t be ashamed of what comprises their biological DNA and what can sometimes unwittingly occur when wearing tiny pieces of fabric during that time of the month. Equally how we do, or do not choose to style our bodily hair is not just our own choices, but our own business, and shouldn’t make us feel uncomfortable about paddling into the line-up to surf. I sure as heck don’t want to be even thinking that a stray hair might make me feel uncomfortable in the water, I just want to surf.
Ultimately it is about comfort in the water, and both boutique and bigger brands appear to be listening. Not worrying about an unexpected nip-slip allows me to focus more on what’s at hand: having fun. Feeling good. Catching waves. The louder chorus line of voices contributing to a more homogenous picture is seeing a change in product and marketing, and it’s the product we actually want and desire to feel confident, and actually, not have to think twice about when paddling out into the line-up. According to 22-year-old surf instructor Abbey Platten, “I’m only body conscious when I’m wearing a bad bikini!”. Hannah Abrams, Women’s Buyer at WetNDry Boardsports, one of the UK’s largest surf retailers, suggests that “I find that I I’m wearing a bikini that I know isn’t going to stay put, I’m really distracted by it. I’m more worried about flashing people than catching waves. I don’t think a “bikini body” really exists. If you feel comfortable in a bikini, then rock on, doesn’t matter what shape you are.”. It is the girls and women who paddle out and catch a wave who contribute to combusting typecasts, and in the end, it is whatever makes you feel comfortable, and happy. See you in the water.”