A little bit about Sarah Gerhardt

The Central Coast of California is what Sarah Gerhardt considers her home, although she was born in Port Townsend, Washington, and spent her toddler and a few grade school years living on the beaches of the Big Island of Hawaii.

Remarkably, even though Sarah was the primary caregiver for many years for her quadriplegic Mother, who suffered from Muscular Dystrophy, while Sarah herself was plagued with chronic asthma, she began teaching herself to surf when she was 13 years old.

Soon she became the first woman to paddle and tow into large surf on the outer reefs of Oahu, the Hawaii's main island. She was recognized as a "potential superstar" in the intro to Surfing Magazine in the winter of '95-'96 for her surfing feats, which would soon include pioneering Maverick's for women. Maverick's, a premier big wave located near San Francisco which only breaks if the surf is at least twenty-five feet and higher, is one of the scariest waves on the planet.

For her accomplishments Sarah received many apt praises, including, Sports Illustrated, for Women's title "the Ultimate Ripper." Outside Life Network included Sarah in their show on "The 25 Most Courageous People", and a photo of Sarah surfing Maverick's is included the Smithsonian Art exhibit and book: Game Face. She has been interviewed by Surfer Magazine, Wahine, Sports Ilustrated for Women, Surf Life for Women, Adrenalin (London), Big Magazine, the Surf Issue, as well as featured in articles in the local Santa Cruz and San Francisco press. Fox's 54321, The Learning Channel, The Discovery Channel, and the Jeff Kornbluth Show on PBS all did filmed interviews of Sarah.

Most recently Mike and Sarah were filmed for the Weather Channel which will be broadcast October 2007. Sarah was also recently interviewed in August of 2007 for Christian News and Entertainment to air on the NRB channel. Sarah is currently the subject of an award winning documentary ONE WINTER STORY. It is being translated into French and Spanish for international distribution. A DVD version will be released nationally in September of 2007 and internationally the following month.

Besides being a big wave pioneer, Sarah simultaneously cultivated another passion. In 2003 her dedication to science and the pursuit of academic excellence culminated in a PhD in Physical Chemistry at University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC). For her love and dedication to teaching chemistry she received the "Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award for UCSC" in 2002. Having long been focused on her surfing and advanced studies, she began her teaching career at the college level after her graduation. Sarah has taught chemistry at UCSC, Santa Clara University and is currently teaching at Cabrillo College in Aptos, California.

Included in Sarah's personal timeline is marriage to Mike Gerhardt in 1998 and motherhood. A son, Noah was born in the winter of 2005 and then a daughter, Naomi, was born in the fall of 2006. Sarah continues in her pursuit of Big Dreams as she inspires others to do with her past and current accomplishments and her volunteer work for Ride A Wave and local youth outreaches.

On Sarah's dream list right now is surfing Big Wave spots such as Todos Santos, with her husband Mike, writing a memoir, and giving motivational speeches. Sarah is pursuing these dreams while continuing to teach chemistry and parent her children with Mike. Sarah is sponsored by Pearson Arrow Surfboards, Clif Bar and Hotline Wetsuits.