Mamala Would Go: Stories of Women Who Charge-Sandy Ordille
Sandy Ordille, Windansea 1980 - Kirk Aeder photographer
Sandy Ordille is an absolute legend - and she’s never hesitant to go!
A San Diego transplant from Ocean City, New Jersey, Sandy helped blaze the trail in the 70s and 80s and not just for professional surfers on the tour, but for all women in the water.
Ranked #7 on the WCT in 1977 and 1980, she paddled out when very few women dared. Inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame in 2016 and the New Jersey Surfing Hall of Fame in 2017, Sandy is also a relentless volunteer, dedicated to preserving women’s surf history.
She’s always the first to step up—whether it’s for her surf club Windansea, a grom, a friend, or anyone lucky enough to cross her path.
I met Sandy at Mamala’s first pop-up and was instantly captivated by her surf stories from back in the day. Afterwards, she went out of her way to introduce me to the Southern California surf industry and community.
With eyes on the upcoming Olympics, we sat down with surfing pioneer Sandy Ordille to discuss the race for Team USA, the future of women's surfing, and who she'd put on her dream Olympic team.
Olympic qualifying for LA28 is underway, and with only three women per country eligible to compete in surfing at Lower Trestles, who's on your U.S. dream team?
I would definitely choose Caroline Marks, not just for being a fellow goofy-footer, but she also has amazing skills to adapt to whatever the ocean is throwing at her! Her competitive nature is perfect for adapting to always changing conditions and pushing for the best result in a time restrained heat. She grew up with brothers who surf and a family that has totally supported her competitive goals. Even though she grew up on East Coast of United States she has proven her big wave skills are top notch at places like Pipeline and Fiji.
Caity Simmers for Olympic dream team for sure. I was able to watch her win the Super Girl Pro from the waters edge and it was amazing. She has a very cool style, with subtle bursts of power moves and excellent wave choice skills. She also grew up surfing with her brother and has a very supportive family that often travels with her. They are super nice people that often do side trips together to out of the way places which is a great way to take a break from hectic competition areas.
I have to go with a Hawaiian because they represent the origins of surfing . I think Carissa Moore is in the throws of an amazing come back and she has plenty of time to recharge her amazing competitive surfing prowess. I got to meet her, her mom and little sister many years ago on Kauai. I was assigned to write a story on her for a surf mag called Nalu Underground. She was just 15 years old but had already racked up an incredible roster of contest wins. She has a razor focus, huge community support and a history of solid winning. Her wave selection skills are top notch and she never makes bad decisions in competition or life! I think by the time of summer Olympics she will be a good choice for another win for US. She also is a great ambassador of the sport of surfing.
If you could bring back one iconic surfer from the ’70s or ’80s to join the team, who would you choose?
Without a doubt the most prolific women’s US Team would include Lynne Boyer. She is a really good competitor and free surfer. She is the only woman to ever beat Margo Oberg and the contest heats between those two were the stuff legends were made of.
I surfed a heat at big Haleiwa with Lynne and Margo and it’s still a very vivid memory!
Sandy Ordille, Bells Beach 1978 - Photographer complements of Circle The Earth
Looking back, what was a pivotal moment in your career that gave you the confidence and support to take your surfing to the next level?
I had secured a sponsorship with Arena Swimwear by reaching out to them after watching the USA women's Olympic Swim Team compete while wearing their incredibly well designed one piece bathing suit. I met with corporate Arena in Huntington Beach, CA and signed a contract! Bill Barnfield immediately started working on building me a quiver of boards to match my new sponsorship. This is the first board of a series he created that pushed my level of surfing and confidence to a new height. Thank you Arena USA for choosing me to be the first surfer you ever sponsored. After fellow pro tour competitors saw the Team Arena quiver and the immaculately designed bathing suits (that never got pulled off in big surf!) they flocked to Arena requesting sponsorship. We ended up with a great Team and Arena became the suit of choice for all the women surfing big waves because they stayed on no matter what.
Sandy pictured here standing on the Barnfield compound lanai, showing off her new board. Arena Swim Wear Catalog 1980s