On February 16, 2006 (Maui, HI), Maui
Surfer Girls (“MSG”) surf instructors, Andrea
Moller and Maria Souza, along with camp director and founder, Dustin Tester, became the first women tow-team to drive and surf the thirty-foot waves of Maui’s worldrenowned “Jaws”. Calling themselves the “Amazon Surf Team,” these wahine’s made big wave surfing history.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND
Andrea Moller and Maria Souza are Brazilian waterwomen who have been training on the island’s outer reefs with Maui’s own Dustin Tester for the past two years. Maria Souza pioneered Jaws with ex-husband Laird Hamilton ten years ago.

2006 was the first big wave season that they had ventured to tow one another into the fearsome break. Carving out a spot for women in the world
of big wave surfing, the trio has made quite an impression on the male-dominated lineup at “Jaws” these days. Andrea Moller remarked, “I definitely note the pressure as a woman, but I’m just looking for the same thing the guys are – I want to feel the adrenaline rush out there. Until women break through the initial barriers, it’ll always be harder...but no less worth it.”

As big wave riding has previously been a “man’s” sport, there are those that feel MORE women should be riding these giants such as Senator Fred Hemmings, the father/founder of professional surfing, yet as women, most of us are not inclined to do so. Is it in our nature to want to push the
elements to the point of death? Are we naturally inclined to be the warriors that men are?

While we at WSSM have our own thoughts on this, we decided to get an “insiders” peak at what inspired Dustin to take off on several 25 footers, and what her opinion is on the future of women in BIG waves.

WSSM: With the biggest ride of your life behind you, do you feel you will experience that massive of a wave again and why do/did you crave it enough to push yourself to that level?

DUSTIN: Tow-surfing is an ultimate expression
of my mind and body. My drive to surf bigger and bigger waves, is similar to my drive to succeed in life. It's like tapping into that wellspring of "mana" inside of me.
Each rung up the ladder of wave size instilled awe and respect for the power of the ocean. As I spent hours practicing pick ups and drop offs with Andrea Moller, and a regimented cross-training program, I felt more and more comfortable pushing my limits out there. Yet, I know my limits and on more than one occasion, I decided not to tow-in when the conditions weren't ideal.
Surfing a 25 footer at Jaws was the most surreal experience of my life. I still have an itch inside of me to train hard and be whipped into more outer reef mackers.

WSSM: As the owner of MauiSurferGirls, you meet women from all walks of life and abilities. Do you find that women in general are inclined to ride waves over 15-18 feet? (Face value) And if not, why is that in your opinion?

DUSTIN: Hmmm, great question. I don't feel like it's necessarily a gender thing, but a combination of drive, training, and pure guts. Yes, I've taught women of all ages and abilities for the past ten years, and the common thread I've witnessed in women surfers is our resilient mind, grace, and
guttural instincts innate in women. Sure men are physically stronger, but big wave surfing is more than just a physical sport.
It's also mental and takes gut instincts. I think with the proper years of training in big wave conditions, practice like anything goes beyond gender.