That change that Paige is talking about can be felt in the air at the London Surf Film Festival screening of The Wave I Ride, directed by Devyn Bisson.

If women’s big wave surfing is a niche sport, it won’t be called that for much longer. As I arrive at the venue I pass a queue, fifty people deep that didn’t get tickets, waiting in hope of getting some on the door.

Inside people wait for the screen to open, stealing glances at Paige who is looking incredibly glamorous, greeting people in a sheer floor length dress.

This is not your usual big wave documentary screening.

The Wave I Ride is a film of so many different parts.

It’s a love letter to charging big waves, a tale of a surfer recovering from a nasty injury, a commentary on the unequal set up of competitive surfing,  an expose of the life of a jobbing surfer and a lesson in knowing your goals and achieving them in the way that’s specifically right for you.

Paige dislocates and fractures her shoulder badly within the first twenty minutes and this gives the documentary a unique frame with which to explore so much more than just the waves she’s chasing.

The film is rooted firmly in the message to do what you love, just because you love it and Paige emulates this passion.

You can see it in her surfing and in how grateful she is to have surfing in her life. In a world of commercial surfing and competitions, it’s both bold and touching to watch.

While addressing the difference between male and female surfing is a prevalent theme throughout the entire film, the disparity between prize money and sponsorship is mentioned only once.

Instead it becomes apparent through the story of the usual battles of a big wave surfer, teamed with the difficulties of earning a living without a major sponsor.

“I get that there’s not as many women doing it [big wave surfing], but that’s no excuse,” Paige says about the lack of prize money in the female divisions to the audience.

“I always bring up the female tennis tour in conversation. The prize money was obviously a lot less for many years and the Williams sisters fought for it.”

“Yes, the men hit it harder. Does that matter? No. They openly spoke about it in interviews. They fought for years and now the prize money is equal.”

If the Williams sisters were the voice for female tennis players, it looks like female big wave surfers have now found a voice of their own.

Even a person unfamiliar with the surfing could not have left this screening without feeling inspired.

There is a change in the surf industry. People like Paige Alms are leading it.