Peppie Simpson is a prime example that there are no age limits on doing what you love, and encouraging others while you’re at it.
With the water as her second home, it’s no surprise she made surfing her lifetime passion at a time when women weren’t encouraged to ride a board.
The 63-year-old has been a pioneer for women’s surfing since the 1970s – and she’s not about to give the sport up any time soon.
The Noosa local was recently featured on Channel Nine show My Way, highlighting her incredible passion both in and out of the water.
Originally hailing from Victoria, in the 1980s she established the Victorian Women’s Surfing Association, which became part of the national surfing body, before moving to Noosa in 1990.
She is a multiple Australian longboard champion and continues to compete in Noosa Malibu Club’s Wrecks and Relics, which is the largest over-50s surf competition in Australia. Usually held in June, 2023 was its 19th year.
Peppie said she was delighted to help pioneer women’s surfing in Australia.
“Looking back I feel very proud of myself. I can’t believe I just ignored all those that tried to stop me – my school, my parents, some friends and of course all the boys!” she said.
“It was just not OK for girls back in the mid-’70s to pursue this sport of surfing. I was just a young girl who was very shy and so naive and innocent just following her passion. I never thought in a million years it would lead to what it has now become.
“There has always been within me a very strong sense of fairness and justice for all. I loved surfing so much and wanted others to experience this as well – especially the girls! I could see how the girls were timid and just needed a little encouragement.
“I could see it was possible for girls to do this too as I was doing it regardless of the boys saying ‘girls can’t surf’. I couldn’t justify their attitude towards us as the ocean and surfing is for everyone.
“The beautiful Hawaiian women I surfed with at the competitions at Bells Beach inspired me with their stories, so I knew we could do it here.”
She said her passion from surfing stemmed from her love of the ocean.
“The ocean always has and always will feel like my home – it’s such a deep connection,” she said.
“The ocean was about 1½ hours away from where I was living then, so it was a long journey.
“My best friend’s brother surfed and I begged for a lift with him. I was a strong swimmer, loved sports and have always loved adrenalin thrills.
“I was so very inspired watching the guys surfing. It put together all the things I loved. It called me so strongly.
“There was no way I was going to miss out on getting involved.
Peppie is part of a group of Noosa women who have made a pact to keep surfing until they are at least 80.
“But the goal of course is 100,” she said.
She said she found surfing was “empowering, exciting, inspiring and kept me fit”.
“It fed my soul, it challenged my mind and body and it kept me deeply connected to my ocean home,” she said.
“It’s completely and totally an addiction on all levels. It brings clarity, awareness, peace, strength, connection, comfort and, for me, success.
“It guides where you live, where you travel, the people you connect with, and so many aspects of life become connected to and centred around surfing.
“There are few things that match the power of the ocean for me. Surfing is merely dancing upon and with that incredible force we call the ocean.”
See Peppie’s segment on My Way here.
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