Matt talks to the legendary Patti Paniccia, former professional surfer, and co-founder of the women’s pro tour, a lawyer, a champion for gender equality, a broadcast journalist, a law professor, and mother of two. So, basically a slacker.
Matt and Patti talk about her ground-breaking careers, her biggest successes and most terrifying wipeout, how far women have come in sports (and how far they still have to go), as well as cover hard-hitting topics, like referring to Malibu as “the bu,” and whether or not surfers really pee in their wet suits.
EPISODE #8 - Patti Paniccia - Former Pro Surfer, Former Journalist, Law Professor, Champion of Gender Equality, Board Chair of The Surfing Heritage and Cultural Center
MATT:
[Nowadays] Girls can go out there and never have to think about, "I can't be a surfer. It's a guy's sport," (just like) gay guys who never have to think about, "Can I get married?" They don't have to, it's just part of the deal now.
Do you think that they should know what you went through, and what I went through, or should they just be happy and just accept it and not even think about how lucky they are?
PATTI:
Wow, that's a deep question. I think they should know, and not because I want them to know, "Hey, we went through this; it's all about us,” but because I think just the way we want to know what Susan B. Anthony went through to get the vote, to fully appreciate it, and to know the history …
The first day of my gender and law class … we cover … cases from the 17- and 1800s in which women were just bashed around and given no rights. Because what happens is, as you look at the string of cases over the decades, you could see remnants, you can spot the remnants of it even today, right? …
I think that they have to know what to look for and what it looks like, and I think they really need to--everyone needs to--value all of our rights truly.
KATHY KOHNER ZUCKERMAN
Did you know that the film and TV character, Gidget, famously portrayed by Sally Field and Sandra Dee, is based on the life and diary entries of a real-life woman, and friend of Patti’s, Kathy Kohner Zuckerman?
CANDYPANTS
The unofficial history of Candypants, the only company who would sponsor the women’s pro surfing tour in 1976. True story.
PATTI'S PERSONAL ESSAY
We’d tell you to order your own copy of Patti’s book about surviving sex discrimination, but they’re out of stock everywhere. However, you can read her personal essay, entitled “My Personal Experience with Pregnancy Discrimination”.
RIDICULOUS SEXIST LAWS
An unmarried woman in Florida cannot parachute on a Sunday, or else she will be fined or arrested. Really?? Yup. It’s true. Check out these 10 other “ridiculous, sexist laws that still exist in the US today.”
SURFING WITH DOLPHINS
Patti has surfed with sharks, whales and dolphins alike. But clearly dolphins are most preferable! Check out this incredible video of a man surfing with dolphins!
10 WATER SAFETY RULES
One thing all surfers have is great reverence for the ocean. As parents, teaching your kids water safety is one of the most important things you can do. Download the printable guide, "10 Water Safety Rules for Kids".
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