Dorothy Alden Becker Lineer (1900 – 1989) was an American surfer and competitive swimmer. Regarded as the first woman surfer from the mainland United States, she was better known as a swimmer during her era because surfing was a little-known sport on the mainland at the time. She was nicknamed the "California Mermaid."[1]
| Dorothy Alden Becker | |
|---|---|
 Dorothy Becker | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | 1900 |
| Died | 1989 |
| Surfing career | |
| Major achievements | pioneer, headstand for 75 yards |
Becker was born in Sitka, Alaska. Given a grim diagnosis by a doctor, her family moved her to Santa Cruz, California for a "nature cure" and set her on a strict regiment of exercise including swimming and diving.[2]
Voyage to Hawaii
edit
She sailed to Honolulu in 1915, at the age of 15, to compete against champion American swimmer Ruth Stacker, who held the record of 50 yards in 31 seconds.[3] During the race, Stacker accidentally entered Becker's swim lane. Both swimmers became confused; the race took 35+1⁄5 seconds, won by Becker.[4]
While in Hawaii Becker "learned the trick of riding the surf boards"[5] with a board she borrowed from swimmer and surfer Duke Kahanamoku.[6] At this time, few people other than Pacific Islanders had learned to surf.[4] Becker took to the sport quickly, surprising onlookers by performing a headstand on the board.[7] Photos of Becker's tricks were published in the Chicago Tribune. The publicity introduced many Americans to the novel sport of "Waikiki surf-riding."[8]
Returning from Hawaii, Becker brought her surfing skills back to her hometown of Santa Cruz, where a small surfing community already existed, started by Hawaiians in the 19th century.[9] According to the Santa Cruz Sentinel she was first woman surfer from the mainland United States.[6]
In a letter to Bernarr Macfadden, Becker credits exercise with saving her life from illness. She says her well-developed muscles allow her to surf 75 yards while standing on her head. The letter is one of the earliest known references to a woman using resistance training to improve her sports performance.[2]
Swimming accomplishments
editBecker was the first woman to be a member of several athletic organizations, including the first in the Pacific Division of the Amateur Athletic Union.[3] She resigned from the Pacific Athletic association in 1916 because of a dispute over a racing foul.[10]
In a time when swimming garments for women were typically bulky, Becker defied convention by swimming in a form-fitting, knit suit.[1] Her suit was similar to that of men of the era like Duke Kahanamoku.
Races won
edit| Event | Time | Date | Location | Opponent(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 yards | 30+4⁄5 seconds | March 27, 1921 | Neptune Beach | 6 women | [11] |
| 100 yard breast stroke | 1:39+1⁄5 seconds | June 19, 1920 | Del Monte | [12] |
Personal life
editShe married George Lineer
References
edit- ^ a b Harlick, Jeanene (Aug 29, 2003). "Santa Cruz surfers crash gender barrier / Beach town's women have been riding the waves for decades". The San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ a b Todd, Jan S (April 1992). "Origins of Weight Training for Female Athletes in North America". Iron Game History. 2 (2).
- ^ a b "Dorothy Becker to Sail for Honolulu to Swim Against Ruth Stacker, United States Champion". San Francisco Call. Vol. 97, no. 11. January 11, 1915.
- ^ a b "Dorothy Becker Beats Fast Rival In Mid-Pacific Race". Santa Cruz Evening News. Vol. 15, no. 117. April 9, 1915. p. 7.
- ^ "Indianapolis Loses Fast Game to Angeis". San Francisco Call. Vol. 97, no. 62. March 11, 1915.
- ^ a b "World's best converge on Santa Cruz". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Vol. 141, no. 58. February 28, 1998.
- ^ Kempton, Jim (2021). Women on Waves: A Culture History of Surfing—From Ancient Goddesses and Hawaiian Queens to Malibu Movie Stars and Millennial Champions. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-64313-725-4.
- ^ "Chicago folks told of local surf-riding". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. August 16, 1915. p. 10.
- ^ Meares, Hadley (August 17, 2016). "Steamer Lane: The Saga of Surfing in Santa Cruz".
- ^ "Dorothy Becker Denies Signing Protest and Withdraws From P.A.A." San Francisco Call. Vol. 99, no. 62. March 13, 1916.
- ^ "Dorothy Becker wins at Neptune". San Francisco Call. Vol. 109, no. 69. March 28, 1921.
- ^ "Alameda wins swimming race". Morning Press. Associated Press. June 20, 1920.