DOZ Inspirational Biography
Layne Beachley
ome people believe their backgrounds are
meant to set boundaries and limitations
to their greatness. But there are others,
who have demonstrated that it is possible to
advance against all the odds and rise from a life of
mediocrity to a life of significance. They became
living legends whose names would outlive them
and last generations. Layne Beachley is one of such
people.
The name Layne Beachley has become a source of
inspiration to several surfers regardless of their
gender, but it was never so from the beginning.
Layne Collete Beachley was born on the 24
of May 1972 in Sydney as Tania Maris
Gardner to her 17-year-old unwed
mother, who became pregnant
after she was raped. The
circumstances surrounding
her birth prevented her from
living with and being raised
by her natural parents. She
was adopted by Neil and
Valerie Beachley, who were
more capable of providing
her with a good life.
A new life with new parents
started well, and it appeared
as though her troubles
were over, but soon enough,
tragedy struck, and she lost the
care of a mother when, at the age
of six, her adoptive mother, Valerie
Beachley, died from a post-operative brain
hemorrhage. While most people would view Layne
as nothing but the by-product of date rape, she did
not fail to surprise the world as she commenced
her journey to greatness from a tender age.
However, the journey was not easy, and she almost
gave up due to a lack of finances.
Choosing surfing was one of the best decisions she
ever made because it brought her to the shining
light of fame. Soaring in the competitive masculine
world of surfing was a significant contributor to
her success. She made something remarkable out
of the environment that broke so many people and
DOZ Magazine | December 2019
made them live a lowlife.
Her fame gradually spread across the locality when
she started competing with reputable surfers
around her, and it increased when, at the age of 15,
she was not only competing against men’s heat but
winning.
At the age of 16, she became a recognized
professional surfer who began to amaze the world
with her achievements. She ascended to the sixth
position as a professional surfer in the world
ranking at the age of 20. She won the Women’s ASP
world champion between 1998 and 2003 and
again in 2006. She can best be described
as a wonder.
Layne was unique not only
because of her achievement,
but the confidence she
possessed, which caused
her to compete with men
and win like it was a
piece of cake. She got a
wildcard entry into the
Energy Australia Open
at Newcastle to compete
with men. She indeed
proved that success has no
respect for gender. In 2006,
she became a member of the
surfer’s Hall of Fame before
retiring in 2008.
Aside from surfing, she is a motivational
speaker who has inspired several people to
achieve great things. She is a trainer, facilitator, and
philanthropist, to mention a few. She also founded
her organization to help young girls and women
get a better future by providing them with the
necessary support.
If you still think your environment can limit your
greatness, then you need to learn from Layne
Beachley. Nothing restricts you more than your
heart. Be a woman respected by men through your
actions. You can be the best if you don’t relent but
fight till the end.
10
S
Mercy James