Lisa Anderson took the world by storm when she was featured on the cover of Surfer Magazine with the headline “Lisa Anderson Surfs Better Than You.” While Anderson’s cover certainly made waves, many don’t realize she was not the first woman to appear on the cover of a major surfing magazine.
Fifteen years earlier, legendary surfer Linda Benson was the first female to break the gender barrier when she appeared on the 1963 cover of Surf Guide. The 19 year old goofyfooter from Encinitas, CA was featured on the cover with the tagline “Linda Benson: World’s Greatest!” The iconic cover featured a smiling Benson with a board under her arm.
At the time, Benson dominated the women’s competition. With her flashy hot-dog style, Benson won the 1960 and 1961 West Coast Championships before going on to clinch the US Championships in both 1964 and 1968. She also won Makaha during her first trip to Hawaii. Despite her tiny 5’2 frame, Benson was fearless in the water, and at only 15 years old, she was the first woman to surf Waimea Bay.
In addition to her cover shot, Benson also enjoyed plenty of time on the big screen. She appeared in movies like Gun Ho! and Cavalcade of Surf, and she worked as a stunt double in big Hollywood productions like Muscle Beach Party, Beach Blanket, Gidget Goes Hawaiian, and Bingo.
Benson’s cover cemented her role in history as one of the first premier female surfers. While she never won a world title, her prowess and skill set a high bar for the next generation of female professionals. Benson’s cover opened the door for the small handful of females who have scored cover spots, including Lisa Anderson and Carissa Moore.
