Lane Davey, a trailblazer in women’s surfing, has passed away after a courageous battle with stage 4 colon-ovarian cancer. She was 55 years old. Known for her pioneering spirit in charging the iconic Pipeline waves and for her significant contributions to women’s surfing, Davey’s death has left the surfing community in mourning.
Davey’s husband, renowned surf photographer Sean Davey, shared the news in an emotional Instagram post over the weekend, paying tribute to his late wife. In the post, he expressed deep admiration for Lane’s life and legacy. The surf community responded with an outpouring of tributes from some of the sport’s most prominent figures, many offering their condolences and celebrating Lane’s lasting influence.
Australian surfing legend Kelly Slater expressed his grief, commenting, “Oh man, I’m so sorry to read this. Hope we can all help lift your spirits, Sean. You’ve been an incredible support and partner for her through this.”
Moana Jones Wong, the reigning Queen of Pipeline, also honored Lane, writing, “She was an incredible woman, and I am so grateful for all the times I got to surf with her throughout my whole life from V Land, to Pipe, to Bowls. She was always so happy and stoked in the ocean.”
Stephanie Gilmore, another celebrated figure in women’s surfing, shared her admiration for Davey’s passion for the sport: “Loved seeing her in the lineup at Pipe every day. I truly admired her dedication and love for the wave. Wonderful woman. Rest easy, Lane.”
Before her passing, Davey had long advocated for recognition of her groundbreaking role in women’s surfing. A staunch advocate for female surfers’ visibility, she reflected on her pioneering efforts at Pipeline, the creation of a functional women’s swimwear line, and her contributions to academia, where she designed college courses on surfing.
In a poignant statement she shared shortly before her death, Davey remarked, “It has been painstaking that my contributions to Pipe and women’s surfing have been almost completely unrecognized in recent women’s surf histories. I have spent most of my life fighting for justice and integrity, but only now, after being told I might have two months left to live, have I finally gained the confidence to stand up and fight for myself.”
Now, as the surfing world collectively mourns her loss, it is evident that Lane Davey’s contributions to the sport will never be forgotten. Her legacy continues to resonate through the powerful waves she rode and the doors she helped open for future generations of women in surfing.