For nearly three decades, Izzy Tihanyi has been one of the most influential figures in modern surfing. As the co-founder of Surf Diva, the world’s first surf school created specifically for women, she helped change not only who learns to surf, but how surfing is taught around the world.
Together with her identical twin sister, Coco Tihanyi, Izzy transformed an idea many considered impossible into one of the most recognized brands in surfing. Since founding Surf Diva in La Jolla, California, in 1996, the sisters have introduced tens of thousands of people to the ocean, trained more than 1,000 surf instructors, pioneered women’s surf camps, authored one of the sport’s best-known instructional books, and helped inspire a generation of female surfers and surf entrepreneurs.
Today, their influence extends far beyond Surf Diva. Their work has helped shape surf instruction, retail, surf tourism, women’s participation in surfing, and the culture of learning that exists in lineups around the world.
Early Life
Born and raised in Southern California, Izzy and Coco grew up in a multicultural household shaped by their French mother and Hungarian father. Their upbringing blended creativity with discipline, encouraging both artistic expression and athletic achievement. The sisters spent much of their childhood in the ocean, where surfing became more than a sport. It became a lifelong passion.
Izzy pursued competitive surfing internationally during an era when women’s surfing received relatively little support or recognition. Her experiences traveling and competing revealed both the challenges facing female surfers and the opportunities to create a more welcoming pathway into the sport.
Those lessons would eventually become the foundation of Surf Diva.
The Birth of Surf Diva
After graduating from university, Izzy worked as a surf instructor and quickly discovered a gift for teaching. She found that many first-time surfers struggled not because surfing was too difficult, but because traditional instruction often failed to meet beginners where they were.
Meanwhile, Coco was building a successful career within the surf industry, becoming one of the earliest employees at Reef. Her experience in branding, merchandising, apparel, retail, and business development complemented Izzy’s instructional expertise.
Together, they recognized an opportunity.
In 1996, they opened Surf Diva in La Jolla, California, becoming the first surf school in the world dedicated exclusively to women.
At the time, many questioned whether women even wanted surf lessons. Rather than accepting that assumption, the sisters created an entirely new model centered on encouragement, professionalism, ocean safety, technical coaching, and community.
Their vision proved that surfing could be both approachable and empowering without losing its adventurous spirit.
Redefining Surf Instruction
Surf Diva introduced innovations that would later become common throughout the surfing industry.
One of the most recognizable was the use of brightly colored rashguards that clearly identified instructors in the water. Surf Diva instructors wore red while students wore pink, creating a safer and more organized learning environment for beginners. Today, colored instructor rashguards are standard practice at surf schools worldwide.
Over the years, Surf Diva has trained more than 1,000 surf instructors. Many former instructors have gone on to launch successful surf schools throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, and other surf destinations, extending the influence of the Surf Diva teaching philosophy across multiple continents.
The company also helped pioneer women’s surf retreats beginning in 1997, long before surf travel became a global industry. Combining instruction, travel, wellness, and community, these experiences helped redefine what a surf vacation could be.
Expanding Women’s Participation in Surfing
When Surf Diva opened, women represented only a small percentage of participants in many surfing communities.
Over the following decades, that landscape changed dramatically.
While many individuals and organizations contributed to the growth of women’s surfing, Surf Diva became one of the movement’s most visible pioneers by creating an environment specifically designed to welcome beginners and encourage lifelong participation.
The school’s influence extended beyond its students. Former instructors established surf schools around the world, while countless women who first learned at Surf Diva became surfers, travelers, business owners, environmental advocates, coaches, and mentors themselves.
The ripple effect continues today.
Author, Speaker, and Educator
In 2005, Izzy and Coco published A Girl’s Guide to Getting Good Waves, an instructional surfing book that blended practical coaching with humor, confidence, and surf culture.
The book introduced thousands of new surfers to the fundamentals of the sport and reinforced a message that has defined the sisters’ careers: everyone deserves a place in the lineup.
Beyond publishing, Izzy has taught clinics, spoken at events, collaborated with surf brands, and mentored instructors throughout her career, becoming widely respected for her ability to make surfing accessible without oversimplifying the sport.
Media Recognition
As women’s surfing entered mainstream culture during the early 2000s, Surf Diva became one of its most recognizable brands.
The sisters have been featured in hundreds of publications and media outlets, including Time, Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, ESPN, and MTV. Following the release of Blue Crush in 2002, Surf Diva gained international attention through extensive media coverage and licensing partnerships in the United States, Japan, and Australia.
Their story has become part of the broader history of women’s surfing and entrepreneurship.
Awards and Honors
Izzy’s contributions to surfing have earned recognition from both nonprofit organizations and the State of California.
Among her honors are:
- 2003 Surfrider Foundation Waterperson of the Year, recognizing her commitment to ocean stewardship, environmental education, and surf instruction.
- 2007 Commendation from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, honoring Izzy and Coco for their entrepreneurial achievements and their contributions to California’s outdoor culture.
- Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) Women’s Retailer of the Year, awarded to Surf Diva for excellence in women’s surf retail.
These recognitions reflect the sisters’ impact not only on surfing, but also on small business, education, and community leadership.
Business Leadership
Beyond surf instruction, Izzy and Coco built Surf Diva into a multifaceted business that includes surf lessons, camps, instructor training, retail, branded products, and corporate experiences.
Their corporate surf programs have welcomed organizations including Nike, Nespresso, Billabong, Roxy, and numerous technology companies, using surfing as a platform for leadership development, communication, resilience, and team building.
The sisters also supported the International Surfing Association’s campaign to bring surfing into the Olympic Games, joining the Friends of Olympic Surfing initiative that ultimately contributed to surfing’s Olympic debut.
Family and Legacy
Surf Diva has always been a family business.
Behind the scenes, Coco’s husband Carlos and Izzy’s husband Todd have played important roles in supporting the company’s growth and helping sustain the business through nearly three decades of change.
Today, the next generation is continuing the family’s connection to the ocean.
Izzy’s daughter, Annabelle Tihanyi, is a competitive longboard and shortboard surfer, artist, writer, and musician. Coco’s son, Diego, combines collegiate surfing with sustainability studies, lifeguarding, and surf instruction, reflecting the family’s ongoing commitment to ocean stewardship.
Lasting Influence
Nearly thirty years after opening Surf Diva, Izzy and Coco remain two of the most influential women in surfing.
Their work helped normalize women’s surf instruction, inspired surf schools around the world, trained generations of instructors, and demonstrated that surfing is strongest when it is inclusive, supportive, and accessible. What began as an unconventional idea has become part of surfing history.
Their greatest legacy is not simply building a successful business. It is helping create a world where women, families, children, adaptive athletes, and first-time surfers can confidently paddle into the lineup knowing they belong there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Izzy Tihanyi?
Izzy Tihanyi is an American surfer, entrepreneur, author, and co-founder of Surf Diva, the world’s first surf school created specifically for women.
Who is Coco Tihanyi?
Coco Tihanyi is Izzy’s identical twin sister and co-founder of Surf Diva. She has played a central role in the company’s branding, retail operations, apparel design, merchandising, and business development since its founding.
What is Surf Diva?
Surf Diva is a surf school and retail company based in La Jolla, California. Founded in 1996 by Izzy and Coco Tihanyi, it pioneered professional surf instruction for women and has since expanded to welcome surfers of all ages, genders, and experience levels.
Why are Izzy and Coco Tihanyi important in surfing?
The Tihanyi sisters helped transform women’s participation in surfing by creating the first surf school dedicated to women, pioneering surf camps, training instructors, authoring educational resources, and building one of the sport’s most influential businesses.
It’s about fun, being together, and meeting so many cool people!
What they say about Surf Diva
Surf Diva Surf School is considered the pillar of women’s surfing and offers surfing and standup paddleboard (SUP) lessons year-round for women, men, and children. Located in La Jolla, California with operations also in Costa Rica, Surf Diva is actively involved in charities and outreach to support both the local community and to raise awareness to protect the environment.
The Starbucks of surf schools
Newsweek Magazine
Surf Diva Surf School has been featured in many TV shows and on numerous local and national news stations. Theses include CNN, The Today Show, MTV, ESPN, MSNBC, KUSI and The Travel Channel, to name but a few. Surf Diva has also been featured in many magazine and newspapers including The New York Times, Vogue, Glamour, Cosmo, GQ, Newsweek, Oprah’s Magazine, and Condé Nast Travel Magazine.
The Surf Diva Boutique was awarded #1 WOMEN’S RETAILER OF THE YEAR IN THE US 2013 by the Surfing Industry Manufacturing Association (SIMA).
In 2005, the twins released the Nation’s Best Selling Surf book, “Surf Diva: A Girl’s Guide to Getting Good Waves.”
