Event examines shifting culture of surfing

MORE than 50 people ventured out to Torquay Library to attend the ‘Women of the Ocean’ event, a live panel show about the shifting culture of surfing.

The female panel of Anglesea author Gill Hutchison, surf writer Ula Majewski and gender and society academic Dr Rebecca Olive spoke about the ever-changing landscape of surf riding as well as their paths into the sport.

Discussion also segued into the unspoken apprenticeship of surf etiquette and also considered the question ‘When do you consider yourself a surfer?’.

Ms Hutchison said the panel enjoyed delving into some of the topics on the evening.

“We all really enjoyed chatting and generating a bit of conversation within our passionate surf community.

“I love unpicking a culture, particularly something that I’m involved in like the culture of surfing.

“We and the library were thrilled with the turnout on the night.

“The number of men who showed up too was really pleasing even though it may have sounded as if we were speaking just about women in surfing.”

Ms Hutchison said she hoped to continue panel shows, but with people of different ages and demographics.

“It would be fantastic to do it all again in some other way, shape or form.

“I’d love to mix it up and spread it out across multiple decades with both men and women.

“There is so many people in the community who have an opinion, so I can definitely imagine it working again in the future.”