Sharron Weber Biography

Sharron Weber – Biography

Sharron Weber began surfing in Hawaii at age 15. Standing first on a board she purchased from Linda Benson (U.S. Championship winner), Weber soon parlayed her competitive nature and natural talent into major success both domestically and internationally. By 1965, she began a winning streak at the Hawaiian State Championships that would garner her six titles. In 1968, Weber began her international campaign with a second place finish behind Margo Godfrey at the 1968 World Championship Contest in Puerto Rico and again trailed Godfrey with a second in the Surfer Poll that same year. But Weber wouldn’t be runner up for long.

After winning the 1969 United States Championships, Weber traveled to Australia for the World Surfing Championships. After American Rolf Aurness’ big win in the men’s event, organizers moved the women’s event from Bells Beach to a left breaking wave called Skenes Creek, near Apollo Bay. Amid deteriorating yet still contestable conditions, Weber bested old rival Margo Godfrey to become world champion. As a result of the surf media’s seeming disinterest in women’s surfing at the time, Weber’s big moment attracted very little attention. Australia’s local press did make mention of Weber, however, focusing more on her diet than her surfing prowess. The article reported that Weber’s success was due to her healthy eating habits and posed questions about her job at a health food store back in Honolulu. But while the press focused on young Weber’s penchant for good food, she was busy surfing and training for the next conquest. Her self-described competitive nature would not be quelled and she again won the 1972 World Championships in San Diego.

A year later, Weber reportedly canceled a planned trip to compete in South Africa due to its Apartheid policy and the government’s refusal to allow the “dark” Hawaiians to surf in the event. Whether or not this event was the catalyst for her departure from competitive surfing, it’s not certain, but by age 24, Sharron Weber had retired and focused her energies on starting a business. She embarked on a new challenge as owner and operator of Tire Warehouse on the Garden Isle of Kauai. Discussing her approach to surfing and business, she says, “My competitive nature has been a key factor in my success.” Sharron Weber is also a board member of the American Cancer Society.