49er Industry Chats: Careers in Creative Writing

Wave Woman: The Life and Struggles of a Surfing Pioneer

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Vicky Durand Liljestrand ’89

Published Author

Vicky Durand Liljestrand published her first book in 2020: Wave Woman: The Life and Struggles of a Surfing Pioneer. In the book, Vicky shares the untold story of her mother, Betty Pembroke Heldreich, a pioneering champion Hawaii surfer in the mid-1950s, a female athlete, an artist, a professional who broke glass ceilings and believed anything exciting was worth trying at least once. Vicky herself was a young surfer and in 1957 won the Makaha International Surfing Championships. Vicky is certified in secondary teaching and special education. She helped start an early-education-and­ childcare facility for teen parents to enable them to finish school and graduate. Her interest in fashion led her to establish a cottage industry sportswear and textile design company. Vicky serves as a member of the Liljestrand Foundation board and manages family property in Hawaii.