Becky Benson-Sanjay, one of the first women to make a career out of competitive surfing, is back in the water at Duke's OceanFest on Oahu — a feel-good story about how far the women's side of the sport has come.

• She competed from the amateur ranks up to the world tour in an era when women's surfing had almost no prize money and little respect.
• What strikes her now is the sheer number of women and girls in the water, and the fact that today's pros can actually make a living at it.
• She started surfing at nine for the pure fun of it, and still enters masters-level events because pulling on a competition jersey pushes her to stay sharp.
• Duke's OceanFest is personal for her — her family attended Duke Kahanamoku's memorial service in Waikiki when she was a girl, and the festival carries his spirit of sharing waves.
• Her advice to young women entering male-dominated spaces: believe you belong there, and hold on to the passion that got you started.

Outlook: OceanFest continues on Oahu, with the women's side of the sport now backed by real sponsorship, prize money, and a pipeline of young talent.