Surf Diva

The word diva has gotten a bad rap. Maybe it’s from the press getting their hands on Mariah Carey’s tour rider or some D-list reality “star” traveling with a 10 + entourage complete with an assistant and a hair extension team. All I know is you generally don’t want to be called one.

But, this was not always the case. The origins of the word come from the Latin word for goddess, or the feminine of god. See, no bad connotation there.

Twin sisters Izzy and Coco are divas, but of the best kind … of the surf. I’ve been a fan of their company, Surf Diva for years and every so often I’ll email my sisters with pleas of heading to one of its two locales for a full week of surfing–with outlets in Costa Rica and California, honestly, it’s hard to choose…

As you read this, I’m packing for a trip to Santa Cruz with my sisters, where I’m hoping surfing is in order. Until then, an interview with the Surf Divas themselves will have to suffice–we talk fashion, fitness, family, and the surf culture.

danapop (dp) When did you first start surfing? What has it brought to your life?

Surf Diva We started surfing when we were kids, our dad taught us!  It has changed our lives, we LOVE what we do.

dp What do you hope someone gains from the Surf Diva school and the process of learning how to surf?

Surf Diva To know that you can live the dream too and that everything is possible.

dp Why did you create the school? Have your intentions changed?

Surf Diva We simply wanted to open the door of surfing to women & girls and our intentions have not changed through the past 14 years.

dp What do you like to do when not working or riding waves?

Surf Diva We love buying clothing and cool items for our surf shop, Surf Diva Boutique and we love shopping together!  We love spending time with our families and we also like working out with our trainer Trevor!

dp How do you think living and working alongside the ocean influences your life and your work?

Surf Diva It is really fun!  We appreciate what we do and we love and respect the ocean.

dp What does the word diva mean to you?

Surf Diva A “diva” knows what she wants and knows how to get it.  She’s at the top of her game, confident, and passionate.

dp I’m a fraternal twin too and would LOVE to work with mine…how is it working with your twin sister?

Surf Diva It’s awesome! We are the yin and the yang of each other. Izzy is the “Surf” and Coco is the “Diva”, we compliment our qualities.

dp What do you think it means to be a woman-owned business in the surfing industry? Do you think surfing is considered a male-dominated sport?

Surf Diva It’s great, yet challenging.  We support other women-owned businesses and know that starting a business is difficult.  Even though the surf industry is a male-dominated sport, we have proven ourselves and are the “go to” company for information on women’s surfing.

dp What surfers do you admire?

Surf Diva Our dad, Paul Tihanyi, Rell Sunn, Debbie Beacham, Laird Hamilton, Rob Machado, Brad Gerlach.

dp What was behind the decision to add a retail space to your business? How does that compliment and enhance the Surf Diva brand?

Surf Diva We were teaching girls to surf like a Diva so we thought it would be cool open a shop to look like a Diva!  The girls are introduced to surfing so they are eager to know what to wear, what movies to watch, and what boards to buy.

dp Where is you favorite place to surf?

Surf Diva Our favorite place to surf is La Jolla Shores.

dp If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?

Surf Diva Izzy would be hosting an action sports dating game show.  Coco would be a flamenco dancer in Spain.

dp BlackBerry or iPhone? Longboard or short?

Surf Diva Izzy – BlackBerry, Longboard, Shortboard, Paddleboard, Skateboard, Snowboard, you name it! Coco – iPhone, Longboard.