HONOLULU (AP) " Charging into violent waves at a Maui surf break known as "Jaws," a group of women made history Friday as they competed for the first time in the World Surf League's big-wave surfing competition. That competition will include women for the first time this season after state regulators said they might refuse to grant a permit if women were not included. Competitor Bianca Valenti, who has pushed for women to be included in professional big-wave surf contests, called the day a big step forward for women in the sport. The World Surf League only recently began holding a big-wave competition, spokesman Dave Prodan said. In California, the renowned big-wave competition Titans of Mavericks agreed to include women for the first time this season, although it has not yet been held.

Source: New Zealand Herald November 11, 2016 17:47 UTC