DEBBIE
BEACHAM

In 1977, dissatisfied with the state of professional women’s surfing, Beacham became a founding member of the Golden Girls surf club, which included Jericho Poppler, Shannon Aikman, Brenda Scott, Betty Depolito, Lisa Tomb, and Candy Woodward. Led by Debbie Beacham, “Women’s Pro Surfing” (WPS) was revived in 1981 with better equality and prize money. The new Mazda Women's Surf Sport Championships, the Michelob Cup, Stubbies, and Hang Ten Grand Prix events helped raise media awareness and prize money for touring pros while establishing a foothold for women’s surfing in the U.S. The WPS was the sanctioning body for the women’s World Tour in conjunction with the ASP. Debbie Beacham became the world champion riding this board in 1982. The ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) started in 1983 with Debbie as one of its founding members, serving as the women’s representative until 1991. Beacham also served on the Executive Committee of the International Surfing Association. This board was made by shaper Bill Barnfield for Debbie Beacham in 1973. Analytical and meticulous, Barnfield is best known for producing classic North Shore guns throughout the ’70s and early ’80s. Beacham had it restored, and the board was featured in the “Women Who Surf” exhibit in 2004 at the International Surfing Museum in Huntington Beach.

This board is in the permanent SHACC collection, donated by Debbie Beacham.
Portrait photo © Debbie Beacham