Laura Lee Ching

Laura Lee Ching, also known as Laura Blears, Laura Blears Ching and Laura Blears Cody (born December 25, 1950) is an American surfer.

Early life
On December 25, 1950, Laura was born. Her father was Lord James Blears (died 2016), a professional wrestler and amateur surfer. Her mother was Leonora "Lee" Adelaina (died 2007). Laura had three siblings, Jimmy (also a champion surfer; died 2011), Clinton, and Carol.

Career
Laura won the 1972 Makaha Invitational and became the first woman to compete in the Smirnoff World Pro-Am Surfing Championships in 1973. She was the world number one female surfer in 1973. She also appeared on What's My Line? and ABC's Wide World of Sports' Challenge of the Sexes.

Recognition
Laura appeared in a six page pictorial for Playboy magazine in its July, 1975 issue. Her pictorial was shot at Keawaʻula Beach (popularly known as Yokohama Beach), while surfing nude on a Lightning Bolt surfboard.

In 1979, the Supersisters trading card set was produced and distributed; one of the cards featured Laura's name and picture. In 2022 she received the restaurant Kimo's Maui's first Pioneers of Surfing Award.