Capitola’s Women on Waves festival turned 30 last month. More than 300 athletes competed at Capitola Beach on Oct. 17 and 18, Lookout Santa Cruz reported.
What was new
For the anniversary, organizers added the Party Wave, where teams of up to six surfers in costume catch the same wave. The contest also had its first all-female judging panel. Good Times reported that the lineup included longboard surfing, open-water swimming, bodyboarding and a new stand-up paddleboard relay. Lookout said the novice division sold out right after registration opened, and open-water swim entries doubled from last year.
Two days before the event, organizers announced a paddle-out during the first day’s high-tide break, in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence. More than 50 people joined the “I am Jane Doe” paddle-out.
Thirty years
West Wind Surf Club members started Women on Waves in 1996. Festival organizer Aylana Zanville, a former pro surfer who founded the swimwear brand Ola Chica, and artist Marisol Godinez took over in 2018. Heats are grouped by age, from 10-year-olds to a Legends 60+ division. According to the festival, it has raised more than $87,000 for Santa Cruz County organizations. This year’s beneficiary was Esperanza Community Farms.