Inspiration on a surfboard and in the chemistry classroom

A surfer riding a very large wave

Source: © Peter Burnight

Sarah Gerhardt’s curiosity connects her passions for science, teaching and surfing

‘I definitely would show up to organic chemistry unprepared and lean over and have water dripping out of my nose,’ reveals Sarah Gerhardt, the first woman to surf Mavericks – the infamous cold water big wave on the coast of California, US. She is also the deputy chair of the chemistry department at Cabrillo College in California with a dynamic career in teaching and a PhD in physical chemistry.