Women go wild for fun at IWD surfing event

MORE than 50 women from across than state descended on Point Impossible Beach to celebrate Surf Coast Longboarders Wild Women on the Water fundraiser event.

Held on Saturday, March 18, the 14th anniversary of the all-women’s event coincided with International Women’s Day celebrations and honoured what women bring to surf culture, which is continuing to grow and change.

Highlights of the day included the fancy dress teams surf division, the junior surfers doing their best to battle the windy and blistering hot conditions and a traditional Welcome to Country from Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Corrina Eccles.

Surf Coast Longboarders president Penny Andrews said the event was once again a fantastic celebration of women and their contribution to surfing.

“We had a really wonderful day… we had lots of participations including a full field of open women and a bunch of juniors,” Andrews said.

“The event is all about getting women together to meet other women who surf and to encourage our juniors… it’s always coincided with International Women’s Day.

“It’s all about sharing the stoke, having fun and shifting it away from it all being about competition.

“While we had to end the day early because of the high winds, heat and fires, everything went really well.”

Andrews said the club were also absolutely thrilled with the event’s fundraising, including the long list of local sponsors who contributed prizes for event winners.

As part of the club’s commitment to help people in the community, competitors donated homewares, clothes, shoes, toiletries and toys to go to people in crisis, experiencing homelessness, are refugees and victims of domestic violence.

“Our aim is to provide relief for families and individuals in need,” Andrews said.

“The program is privately run with support from health and welfare agencies and operated with the highest integrity.

“Overall, the show of support was terrific and we are very thankful to all the women for turning up, donating and being involved.”