Venice, California, August 16, 2004 - Women from across California came out to the Huntington Beach Pier over the weekend for the 6th Annual Wild Woman Waterday. The event, designed to celebrate female athletes of all ages and abilities, truly lived up to its name this year. The weekend combined Longboard and Shortboard Surfing Contests, a 1-Mile Ocean Swim, Paddleboard Races and a Quad-Relay with Surf Academy Surf lessons and a Surfing Lifestyle Expo area.

The highlight of the weekend was the Longboard and Shortboard Surfing competitions that attracted women ranging from age 7 to their late fifties. ROXY sponsored rider, Courtney Conolgue, charged the waves and inspired loud cheers from the beach spectators in her championship ride, winning the Menehune Division (Under 12) for the second year in a row.

Jamilah Star, who spends most of her time riding 50-foot waves in the legendary Waimea Bay, HI, came out to Huntington Beach just to have some fun, but ended up dominating the Wahine (Ages 25 - 34) division in both the longboard and shortboard competitions.

Kim Hamrock, an 11-time US Women's Champion, captured first place in the longboard Kuini Division (Ages 35 - 45) and was inched out by Stephanie Hoffman, who not only won the longboard competition but a $100 side bet offered to anyone who could stop Hamrock's domination of the division.

"We felt this year's Wild Woman Waterday was the best yet," says founder Mary Setterholm. "The support of the City of Huntington Beach and the Lifeguards made a huge difference in our comfort level. It had a real ‘village' feeling where women just broke out in dance, song and laughter as they surfed. We hope to be a permanent part of Surf City."

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Sally Singer and Mary Cappelli represented the Divas (Ages 45 and Older) in the Longboard competition, giving the young competitors a look into their Wild Woman future.

World Master record holder Diane Gallas was on-hand for the 1-Mile Open Water Swim, taking first place in front of Susan Suomo, Courtney Negand, and Jenny Cooke.

Each year a "Wild Woman Award" is given out for the best competitive performance throughout the event. Setterholm broke the six-year tradition, giving the Surf Academy staff the award for their hard work and dedication. Staffers include: Marianne Clark, Joni Contero, Crystal Hoskins, Emma Roll and Jamie Shindle.

The League of Women Surfers would like to thank WaterGirl, Coolies, Matuna, Body Glove, Natural High, Surf Academy and The City of Hungtington Beach Lifeguards for their support of the 2004 Wild Woman Waterday.