Laura Enever stars in documentary about her switch to big-wave surfing
A new documentary film talks of the tough decision made by surfer Laura Enever when she switched to the big-wave version of the sport.
NSW
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Laura Enever gave up a big pay packet, job security and safe working conditions all to follow her dream as a big wave surfer.
The Sydney-born two time World Junior Champion, Australian Champion and Pro Jnr Champion who competed on the WSL Women’s World Tour for seven years, made the unprecedented mid-career shift to swap touring for the male dominated sport of big wave surfing.
It meant giving up a steady income, starting again and swapping 1-2 foot waves for eye-watering 15-foot barrels.
“Lot’s of people told me I was crazy, but it was something I needed to do,” Enever, 28, said.
“I made the decision I wanted to do something completely different.
“I had to back myself. A lot of people around me told me I should keep competing and made the point that there isn’t much money in big wave surfing and that it’s a male dominated industry. I needed to decide whether I was going to make less money and do what I love or go back to what I know. I took a gamble and just knew I had to do it.”
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And it’s paying off.
Just two years into the sport and Enever is already being noticed around the globe and intends on sticking it out and carving a career as a big wave surfer.
Next weekend the Northern Beaches-born surfer will release UNDONE - a documentary which highlights Enever’s triumphs and tribulations as she travels across Australia to surf Southern Ocean swells and some of the most dangerous and remote waves on the planet.
“I have always loved big waves, ever since I was young,” Enever said.
“I have always been a risk taker. I think this is something I had to do.
“When I surfed my first big wave it gave me that feeling I had that I loved and I knew I had to give it a try and see where I can take it.”
The career switch came just as the World Surf League announced equal pay for male and female surfers.
“Equal pay came in when I decided to make the move to big wave surfing, so I was like, wow - do you really want to walk away from equal pay to chase your dreams?
“But I had to do this for myself.”
“I had my eyes and my heart set on it.”
UNDONE will premiere on Sunday at the Hayden Orpheum Picture House at 6.30pm.