GO/DO
PAIGE ALMS @paigealms PHOTOSHOOT LOCATION Maui, HI
BIG-WAVE WARRIOR PAIGE ALMS is a Pioneer for Women in a Male Dominated Industry WRITTEN BY: ALANA ARONSON PHOTOGRAPHED BY: TRACY LEBOE The surf industry is seen as a boy’s club, and the big-wave sector is no different. From Greg Long to Laird Hamilton to Peter Mel, the recognition of men dominating this arena is seemingly countless compared to the acclaim for their female counterparts. Women have been charging big waves and thriving alongside the boys, oftentimes without recognition, and 28-year-old professional surfer Paige Alms has been a pioneer of female big-wave surfing since her first taste at age 15 in Maui, five years after she picked up the sport. In January of 2015, Paige became the first woman to disappear in a barrel at Jaws, Pe’ahi Maui. The legendary break is only minutes from her home on the island, and marks that experience as “a pivotal moment in women’s surfing for sure, as it had never been done before like that.” Her passion for riding waves was always fueled by her own hard work—sponsorship in big-wave surfing, especially for women, is few and far between. “From digging holes when I was 16, to sanding and coating floors in my 20s, painting houses (and) fixing surfboards the night before swells,” Paige notes; all of her jobs seemed a little different. That never mattered though, because doing whatever it takes to make her dreams come true was never an option, but a given. It is this illustration of perseverance and passion that marks Paige as a pioneer and influencer of her
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industry. After years of continuous hard work, sacrifice and severe injury, she was awarded the Women’s Overall Performance XXL Big Wave Award shortly after her impressive barrel at Jaws. While it was a goal of hers to win the coveted award, Paige told us, “I don’t set my mind on winning things as much as I used to when I was a kid, instead I try to envision specific waves I want to ride.” This speaks to the love of surf that fuels Paige, over any sponsorship or financial gain. Still, it is her success and sacrifice in surfing that, alongside other big-wave females, led the World Surf League to host the first ever big-wave women’s competition in November. Her impact on others reaches far beyond the ocean. Devyn Bisson, female documentarian and creator of The Wave I Ride, the film on Paige’s big-wave journey, saw the magic in Alms’ story. From filmmakers to fellow surfers and students in classrooms that Paige speaks to, it is impossible to hear her story and not feel inspired. For women that seek to create a path in an industry that feels dominated by men, or for those that are working hard in any arena to achieve their dreams, Paige says, “Stay focused, work hard, and dream big. Anything is possible if you work hard enough for it. You have to truly believe and know that it is possible, manifest your destiny. You can do it!”
“Stay focused, work hard, and dream big. Anything is possible if you work hard enough for it. You have to truly believe and know that it is possible, manifest your destiny. You can do it!” — PA I G E A L M S
MAKING WAVES 12 Women competed for the first time ever in the World Surf League’s big-wave surfing competition in November. Paige WON!
PIONEERING PALS While Paige was technically the first to disappear inside a barrel at Jaws, her friend and fellow big-wave surfer Keala Kennelly, made major strides with a pocket ride in 2012.