Patti Paniccia (JD '81) Inducted Into Huntington Beach Surfing Walk of Fame

Pepperdine Caruso Law alumna and adjunct professor Patti Paniccia (JD '81) was inducted into the Huntington Beach Surfing Walk of Fame on July 30 as the 2026 Woman of the Year. Paniccia is a former professional surfer who organized the first World Pro surfing tour women's division. Following her induction ceremony, Paniccia joined the World Surf League's broadcast of the 2026 US Open of Surfing contest, which took place at Huntington Beach on July 25-August 2. 

Paniccia currently serves on the board of the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center in San Clemente, California. She was inducted into the Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame in 2025.

From the Spectrum News feature "Surfing Walk of Fame Honors Pioneer Who Helped Launch Women's Pro Surfing"

The Huntington Beach Surfing Walk of Fame’s “Woman of the Year” recipient this year is Patti Paniccia. Woman of the Year is open to any female who meets the qualification in any of the four categories: surf champion, surfing culture, local hero or surfing pioneer.

In the 1970s, Paniccia consistently ranked in the top ten female surfers. In 1976, she co-founded the Women's Division of the International Professional Surfing association, creating the first dedicated women's world tour. She was also one of six women who were part of the first women’s professional circuit.

She and her fellow female surfer friends have worked for decades to help bring recognition and equity to women surfers. Paniccia and other women of the Hawaii Women’s Surfing Hui, formed in 1974, have helped open doors for generations of surfers.

An interview and video footage of Paniccia may be found at Spectrum News