Layne Beachley: Beneath The Waves

by Michael Gordon

Layne Beachley's story is a testimony to the power of self-belief. It is about the skinny little girl they called 'Gidget' who overcame a king tide of obstacles, from chronic fatigue and depression to debilitating injury and family tragedy, to become an icon in the male-dominated world of competitive surfing. Winner of a record seven women's world championships, she also blazed trails in the mountainous waves of Hawaii's outer reefs, earning respect where it mattered most-in the water. ...

Genres: Biography, Autobiography, Nonfiction

346 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Journalist.

Reviews

[Lyn Ambrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biographies are my favourite genre and this one did not disappoint. Layne Beachley won a record seven women's world surfing championships despite lack of support/sponsorship for female surfers. The author takes the reader through her battles with chronic fatigue syndrome, terrible injuries and depression. Adopted as a baby, she was given up at birth and her adoptive mother died when Layne was six. Maternal love was missing from her growing years. Her father Neil raised Layne and her brother until eventually a very young Layne started surfing competitively with little prize money or sponsorship for female surfers. She was not scared of the huge waves in Hawaii and her romantic involvement with Ken Bradshaw a big wave surfer, helped her enormously in her quest to be the best female in her chosen field. These days Layne supports other women who need some financial help to achieve greatness in their chosen fields. She is happily married to retired INXS rock star Kirk Pengilly and after meeting her birth mother, continues to work on building their relationship.

[JP Terreux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epically motivating. “You’ve got to be able to say ‘no’, you’ve got to be selfish. You’ve got to be ruthless, not only in your preparation physically, but your preparation mentally and technically. You’ve got to be single minded m. You’ve got to have Vitamin D. You’ve got to be absolutely determined. You have to have an attitude that says, I want to be the best I can be. How am I going to do this? You’ve got to be totally organised.

[Berni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good and motivational :)

[Isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading this, it was bloody good!! So inspiring conquering many obstacles, fire's you up to do more!!! Love it!!

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obvs I love the ocean more than anything else I can think of. I've always been interested in surfing and in particular the experience of women in the sport. A few months ago I got to see Tim Bonython introduce his new film "Maya and the Wave"at our little local cinema. This got me thinking about Layne and her reputation for big wave surfing so I requested this book for our next book club read and it didn't disappoint.

I've never met anyone like Layne who has such a tenacious competitive will to win. I was fascinated by the sheer intensity of her drive. The book gave lots of insight into her psyche and motivations. My favourite part was actually the postscript "What makes a Champion?". It was a really good summary of all of the points that made Layne and those like her reach the top of their respective games. I have zero desire to emulate these feats but it would make a handy reference for someone wanting to aim for the stars. I also enjoyed the anecdotes about the surf break "Ours". Growing up in the Sutherland Shire I spent a fair bit of time out at Kamay National Park watching the surf when the conditions were just right. It also has sentimental value to me for personal reasons so I loved that Layne was the first woman to surf that monster of a wave.

I'm interested now to see what her further evolution looks like as I understand that she has recently released another co-authored book, this one has a self-help theme I believe. I will read that one at some stage too. She strikes me as someone who doesn't stop learning and growing so I don't doubt that it will be interesting.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great match- a respected political journalist writes about a groundbreaking female athlete's life story- and very sympathetically to the gender issues that Layne confronts is identifying the right male mentors in often a political minefield of possible career breaking traps (it is sheer luck that for her she happens upon ethical people who steer her through, right from the start) her atraraction to surfing because of the solitude and stamina required in this sport, reflecting her particular family background, and the force of her amazingingly strong character and charisma just shine through in this wonderful biography

[Kat Brady · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great insight into the realities of the women's pro circuit and how it has evolved. I never realised how big the gap was in regards to sponsors support and their attitude towards the women in comparison to the men. Layne not only battled and fought through the inequality, but also battled through her own personal issues to become the inspirational person we all know and admire. Her story is honest, sharing the good and not so good. Career highs and lows. Personal highs and lows. She shares it all.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good portrait of someone who seems difficult to know.

[Alex]

I am really enjoying this book as i can relate to Layne as I too surf competitivley. The book explores in depth the hardships and struggles she has had to overcome throughout her life and career. This book is not just about surfing, its is about facing adversity head on and overcoming it. As the title suggest there is more to Layne than her happy exterior, inside there is a for ever longing to find her true identity to truly understand life as it is.

[Jacqui Schischka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this biography of Layne Beachley. She is refreshingly honest and also very willing to share insights into the mind of a champion. Until I read this book, I did not realise that Layne endured a few years of relatively sub-standard results on the pro circuit and it took a lot of hard work (both inside & out) to create the champion she went on to become. Very inspiring!

[Alex Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book it was really interesting and an insight into the surfing world, as unglamorous as it is. However it didn't finish with the energy it started with and the ending wasn't very good.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting for someone who has suffered depression.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

qui enjoyed it much better than most biographies ive readdd

[Lauren Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really hate biographies. Never again.