Inspiring women:
 Layne Beachley –
World champion surfer
Regarded as history’s best female surfer, Layne is a seven-time world champion. Whilst in the water she’s made herself an icon and inspirational figure for female surfers around the world, on dry land she’s working hard to ensure that other young women have the support they need to achieve greatness.
If Layne Beachley is hard to pin down, then it’s because there’s one thing for sure about her: she doesn’t stop.
But instead of easing up in the years following her extraordinary success as a world class surfing champion, Layne is still on the go. When the Australian Women & Leadership Forum caught up with her, she was on the road to surf in the 2009 Rip Curl Pro Surf & Music Festival in Bells Beach, Victoria.
While surfing may remain her first real passion, it’s her achievements out of the water that are equally remarkable.
In 2003 she established the Layne Beachley Aim for the Stars Foundation, which – with the backing of the Australian Sports Foundation, sponsorship and donations – helps young women achieve their dreams.
“It’s basically set up to prevent women from quitting,” Layne reflects, with her mind partly on her own struggles to succeed as a surfer.
It wasn’t for lack of skill, though. More for lack of funding.
“For the first eight years of my surfing career I was my sole financial supporter,” Layne explains. “Working four jobs to fund my overseas ventures and contest endeavours meant very little time was left for surfing itself.”
This year over $50,000 is being awarded to some 30-odd young women in fields ranging from wheelchair rugby and extreme cycling racing to medicine and the arts.
 “I read through every single application. We [the board] pick them one-by-one. It’s a very hands-on process, very personal. I get a lot of enjoyment and pleasure from it.”
With a view to helping young women more closely associated with her surfing passion, in 2006 Layne staged the richest event in women’s surfing history: the Havaianas Beachley Classic at Manly Beach in Sydney.
As a direct role model for many young women, Layne takes her position in the public eye seriously.
“I’m proud of it. It’s important that women have positive role models to look up to.
“But because I’m very honest in terms of my public persona, people feel they know me very well. It’s both fulfilling and exhausting. You end up doing a lot of self-assessment and monitoring of yourself.”
Layne’s focus on being a positive role model also comes from her concern with how sometimes women can be the first to criticise each other.
“We are in fact our best network. It’s important to have women around you who are honest and who you respect.”
For Layne, who’s had the support of myriad trainers and surfing experts in her career, she cites her father as one of the most significant figures in her life.
“He’s an absolute legend. He has endured so much in his life, sacrificed so much. He’s incredibly supportive. He is the one who keeps me grounded.”
 In terms of sports focus, Layne looks up to German Formula One champion Michael Schumaker.
“He set amazing goals for himself and achieved them. He’s the epitome of focus and concentration.”
At thirty-six years old, Layne is certainly not yet past her prime. Nonetheless, she carries with her wisdom beyond her younger years.
“I often think about something that Marcia Hinds once said: women get better with age.
“There’s so much more to do in life. I have a passion and enthusiasm to make a difference. My idea is that you identify a weakness and set about turning it into a strength.”
“I’m keen to continue developing my own clothing brand – Beachley Athletic – and ensuring the future of the Beachley Classic.”
Right now, though, Layne’s heading for Bells Beach – to catch that next big wave.
Layne Beachley recently tied for the award for community and charity work for the 2009 inaugural InStyle Women of Style Awards, a new list of awards celebrating stylish Australian women. More >
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