![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/07\/IMG_0093_41121.jpg\")
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Following the breakdown of her marriage, Phillips turned to surfing in search of a new direction.<\/p>\n
What began as learning to surf grew into a passion for longboarding, and she is now ranked second in Victoria in the over-50 Women’s Longboard division ahead of this month’s Australian Longboard Titles.<\/p>\n
While surfing provides the backdrop, the documentary explores resilience, friendship, community and the courage to begin again later in life.<\/p>\n
Buxton, who led the creative direction of the film, said he was inspired by Phillips’ story and her will to chase a new passion later in life.<\/p>\n
“Every couple of years I’ve done a film and I was on social media and a page pulled up about older women who were getting into surfing,” he said. “Having surfed all my life, I was inspired.<\/p>\n
“These women have given so much and not had time for themselves. Now they are chasing what they didn’t have time to do beforehand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “Lara was mentioned and her story was radical. I messaged her and we got chatting and it took off.<\/p>\n “It’s been amazing to bring it to life and pull in on the power of surfing as a vehicle for healing.”<\/p>\n Shearer said Phillips’ personality was just as compelling as her surfing journey.<\/p>\n “She’s just a ripper chick and has gotten really good over the last couple of years,” she said.<\/p>\n “She’s quite a bold personality so I really wanted to capture her character on film. She’s got this old car, lives in a cool surf shack and surfs most days.<\/p>\n “Her story is amazing, and it seems to have inspired lots of women to start to surf.”<\/p>\n The local duo is hoping to screen Surf Sisters on the Surf Coast in the coming months.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/07\/Crossstepleo_41119.jpeg\")