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Watching Gidget as a little girl changed the entire course of Susie Terry’s life. What started with a surfboard strapped through the sunroof of her mom’s VW Bug turned into a lifetime of chasing waves, building community, and staying stoked well into her seventies.

In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady, The First Women’s Surfing Podcast™, I talk with Surfer Susie about growing up surfing in Ventura in the late 1950s, teaching herself how to surf before leashes or wetsuits existed, and what it’s been like watching surf culture evolve over the decades. We also talk about aging, fitness, social media fame, and why surfing still gives her the same excitement it did as a little girl.

Susie’s energy is infectious. She’s hilarious, grounded, wildly relatable, and a reminder that surfing doesn’t have to stop at a certain age. If anything, her story shows how the ocean can keep giving back for an entire lifetime.

🌊 Main Themes

• Growing Up in the Original Gidget Era: After watching Gidget as a young girl, Susie immediately knew she wanted to surf. With no surf mentors, no wetsuits, and no leash, she taught herself at the Ventura Pier and became part of an early generation of women surfers.
• Surfing as the Fountain of Youth: At 77, Susie still paddles out and says surfing keeps her feeling alive, connected, and young at heart. She talks openly about aging, staying active, and the gratitude she feels every time she gets in the water.
• Unexpected Social Media Fame: What started as simple beach selfies with help from her granddaughter turned into viral videos, recognition in the lineup, and a whole new community online.

Follow Surfer Susie

• Instagram: @surfersusie66
• TikTok: @therealsurfersusie

Show Resources

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Confessions of a Surf Lady, women's surfing podcast, is supported by The Surf Société, our unique digital women's surfing platform where we come together to Learn More. Surf Better. Live Happy. Learn more at Surfsociete.com