Srilanka, Oct. 19 -- The trick is to stay calm. Let the water run through your fingers and connect with the ocean.

Out in the surf off the fishing village of Kadabeddagama on the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka is 22-year-old Senuri Madushani, one of few female surfers from the Island nation and the first to compete against the best in the world.

On an island where surfing has long been dominated by Men and tourists, Senuri is claiming her space in the water, hoping more girls will follow.

"Out there, it's a whole different world. When people watch you surf, you show off your turns, it feels amazing," she said.

Last year was a breakthrough, as Madushani competed in the Asian Surfing Championship held in the Maldives - the first Woman from...