Monica Dunn is one awesome explorer and a passionate bodyboarder.  She has been bodyboarding since a young girl growing up in Lima, the capital of Peru, bordering the South Pacific Ocean.  Lima is a metropolis, known as the City of Kings and the gateway to the country but also known for the many surf breaks that dot the coastline as well as home to Women’s ASP top ranked Sofia Mulanovich.

Not all girls who spend all their free time in the surf are beach bums and Monica has worked very hard to kick that stigma.  She has spent several years studying and traveling the globe, now calling the Surf City of Huntington Beach, CA her home.

When not out catching waves on her board she was busy studying industrial engineering at the University of Lima and then some postgraduate courses of finance at the University of Irvine.  Back in Peru she attended a German high school and learned to speak several languages including French, German, English with Spanish her native language.

Now, while working at a big company like AT&T Monica still finds the time to compete in her life-long passion of bodyboarding.  She is currently ranked 16th in the USBA (United States Bodyboarding Association).  She has won the Peruvian National Championship four times, was the Latinamerican Subchampion and got third place in the Panamerican competition through out her career.

Monica is constantly working toward her goal to compete on the world tour of bodyboarding. (IBA; International Bodyboarding Association).  

It takes a lot of perseverance to move so far from home to live your dreams, continue competing and holding down a desk job.  We think Monica is a great inspiration to girls trying to make it on the competition circuit or working to set them selves apart in life and that’s why Monica is one of our ExplorerGirls’ Ambassadors.


Here’s what Monica has to say:

EXP/G: What/who got you started in bodyboarding? At what age?

Monica: I started when I was 15 years-old with my friends in my neighborhood.

EXP/G: Where there many girls bodyboarding in Peru?

Monica: There were more guys than girls when I first started.

EXP/G: How do the locals and men react to girls catching waves in your home country?

Monica: Some are nice, some are not, just like everywhere, depends on the person.

EXP/G: Are you a fan of Sofia Mulanovich? Who is one of the best female bodyboarders you look up to?

Monica: Sofia es my friend, we've known each other since we were kids and we've represented our country in the same competitions like the panamerican and world surfing games.

The best female bodyboarder is Neymara Carvalho. She is Brazilian

EXP/G: What is your favorite thing about going home to Peru? Where in Peru are you from?

Monica: To see my family and surf in my local beaches. I am from Lima.

EXP/G: What makes you want to travel the world?

Monica: I like to compete, see new places, experience different cultures and meet new people.

EXP/G: How do you compare Huntington Beach waves with South America?

Monica: Peru has stronger waves, but Huntington Beach gives you more experience in small waves. It makes you better for competitions.

EXP/G: What can you recommend to girls who want to get started in bodyboarding?

Monica: To be patient and have fun in all types of waves.

EXP/G: What gear do you need for bodyboarding?

Monica:  Fins, wetsuit, a leash and a bodyboard.

EXP/G: What drives you to compete in bodyboarding?

Monica: The thrill of competition drives me to test myself against others to be better and to represent my country.

EXP/G: Have you climbed Machu Picchu and the Inka Trail?

Monica: Not Yet, but I will this time. (my next visit)

EXP/G: Where is the best place in the world you have bodyboarded?

Monica: Galapagos Island.

www.ExplorerGirls.com / Courtney Crow

Photos: Duaneu y eda