Company helps boost girls who want to surf
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| • | Sports notices |
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Cherry Fu is putting her Harvard degree in economics to good use — in Hawai'i's famous waves.
Fu is the owner and director of Girls Who Surf, a company that provides surfing lessons around O'ahu.
The enterprising Fu has two events scheduled for Girls Who Surf in September.
Fu said the workshop will cover "the ins and outs" of surfing, including ocean safety, proper technique, and at least one hour of surf time.
"It's a chance for girls to see what we're all about and learn with other girls," Fu said.
It is open to female amateur competitors in bodyboarding, shortboard surfing and longboard surfing.
"We felt like that was the next step for us to do," Fu said of running a contest.
Hawai'i surfers Betty Depolito, Carissa Moore and Helena Suehiro have been asked to judge the event.
"There's pro contests for women, but there aren't too many events just for the amateur girls," Depolito said. "That's a good thing because it's more motivating for the girls to compete. And it may even encourage girls who have never competed before to try it."
Fu learned how to surf just four years ago in the waves off Waikiki, and the goal of her business now is to provide the same thrills to beginners she experienced as a first-time surfer.
"I'm someone who is going on five years now as far as surfing experience," said Fu, 26. "So I feel like I can still relate to the beginners and have the patience to work with them."
Fu said she was involved in several sports as a participant and coach prior to moving to Hawai'i from Boston in 2002.
"When I took tae kwon do, I was able to lead classes after two years," she said. "I think that's why I felt somewhat confident that I could do this with surfing."
But she doesn't do it alone. Girls Who Surf currently has a staff of three instructors — Fu, Heather Kikkawa and Skaidra Scholey.
"We have fun being girl instructors and teaching all kinds of people how to surf," Fu said.
The September contest and workshop are for females only, but the private lessons are open to males and females. Fu said lessons are available throughout the year at Waikiki, Diamond Head, Kewalo Basin, White Plains Beach or Puaena Point (Hale'iwa).
As for the Harvard degree?
"Well, I'm putting the business part to good use," Fu said with a laugh.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.
