Surf Life launches in Torquay

MORE than 100 people celebrated all ‘Women Who Live to Surf and Create’ by attending the official launch of new book ‘Surf Life’ at Patagonia in Torquay on Friday night.

Surf Life is the newest creative venture of Anglesea author Gill Hutchison and photographer Willem Dirk du-Toit, and details the stories of 25 women from around the country who share their experiences and creative processes that bring them to the sea.

Friday evening’s free event was a chance for locals to learn a bit more about Hutchison and du Toit’s venture across Australia and the decade of work that went into creating the 200+ page book.

The author said she was thrilled with the outcome of the book, and while alluding to it coming with many challenges, it was one that she and Willem thoroughly enjoyed.

“I always imagined that words would flow out of me like music flows out of Stevie Wonder, but that certainly wasn’t the case, I battled huge imposter syndrome the whole time, but it was a book that I needed to do,” she said.

“I loved working with Willem, we made a great team, we didn’t have one single disagreement.

“I had to face some challenges and fears of my own to go and interview these amazing women and they were connections that have just blown my mind.”

Whilst having the chance to hear from Hutchison and photographer Willem Dirk du-Toit, the audience also visually feasted on the works local artists Anna Skermer, Jessi Muir and Kerry Lomas who were three of the ten locals featured in the book.

According to Hutchison, ‘the book is a labour of love, it’s a lot of heart and soul’ and she hopes that readers can resonate with the thrill of travel and meeting like-minded people who all share a love for the ocean.

To get a copy of the book, head into Torquay Books or your local bookstore.

For more information, head to instagram.com/babes_on_waves/