Girl Power inspires a new wave of surf lifesavers

MORE than 60 female surf lifesavers inspired new generations of surf sport athletes by participating in the Torquay SLSC Girl Power extravaganza earlier this month.

The two-day event aimed to use positive role modelling to empower women and girls to confidently pursue opportunities in lifesaving and aquatics.

A hydrothon all-female surf clinic from Nutri Grain series champion Jordan Mercer and 2022 Coolangatta Gold champion Carla Papac headlined the surf sports event.

Attendees also got the chance to participate in a Q&A with the ironwomen, enjoy a dinner from Feed Me Surf Coast, and listen to live music from Ultra Violet, Star Mailee and Holly Droomer.

The following day, the club held its Pink Patrol with both male and female members.

Torquay SLSC marketing manager Damian Chappell said the event was “life-changing.”

“It went absolutely awesome and changed the lives of so many young girls and their families.

“We had parents crying happy tears from seeing their daughters so excited and inspired by the ironwomen and their fellow peers.

“Jordan [Mercer] and Carla [Papac] were just amazing too and were so taken back by the support they got from our community.

“We told them they’ve got 1,500 friends here at Torquay who would happily walk over glass for them.

“We’d be thrilled to have them back, and they feel the same.”

Mr Chappell said the success of the event had motivated Torquay SLSC to invite other clubs to form an even bigger and better event in 2025.

“We had some people come to the Girl Power event from other clubs, and they were super keen to do something as well.

“Our ambition is to connect with these other clubs and come up with a way of hosting something all together to promote female surf sports.

“We are already in talks and are hopeful we can get something amazing going in 2025.”