Salty Brains Surf Trivia powers positive climate awareness

AUSTRALIAN based charity Surfers For Climate hosted a Salty Brains Surf Trivia night in Torquay to raise awareness about the environmental landscape among the region’s surfing community.

The event, which ran on Monday evening at Front Beach Taphouse and Restaurant on The Esplanade saw teams battle it out to answer questions related to surfing trivia, while learning about environmental issues.

The Salty Brains Surf Trivia evening was the second event run by Surfers for Climate at Front Beach Taphouse and Restaurant. Photo: JARRAH LYNCH

Surfers for Climate all began in 2019, when co-founders Belinda Baggs and Johnny Abegg attended a climate summit and were genuinely moved by climate science and the impacts of climate change on our planet.

Most importantly Baggs and Abegg were struck by the critical role that oceans play in our climate system and were inspired by the collective power of surfers in the successful Fight for the Bight campaign in South Australia, rallying oil giant Equinor to abandon their plan to drill in the Great Australian Bight.

From this, the two gained knowledge and hope about how many viable solutions there were from Australia’s leading scientists and policy experts to save our planet, endeavouring in the process to take their learnings and spread it within the community.

Since forming, Surfers for Climate has continued to grow, with thousands of people from the surfing community across Australia coming together to save our ocean playgrounds.

Monday evening’s event included plenty of laughs and good times, ensuring that surf culture in Australia continues to grow in a more inclusive space and connects surfers to broader environmental concerns.

Teams enjoyed learning about climate and environment issues in a comfortable setting with their mates. Photo: JARRAH LYNCH

Co-founder Belinda Baggs said the event was a massive success and was a great way of connecting the Victorian surf community in a comfortable and nurturing setting.

“This was our second trivia night and it was so amazing to see how spirited everyone was and the great mix of people who wanted to engage within the space,” Baggs said.

“The trivia nights are a great way that surfers can easily engage on environment and climate issue without feeling out of their comfort zone; you don’t have to be paddling out at a protest or something of that nature to be a part of the climate conversation.

“The questions covered a large intersect of surfing life, from the founders of wave riding, to traditional owners of the land to current emission targets and the carbon sequestering power of seaweed.

“Teams were able to test their knowledge in a healthy competition environment with their mates and we all left the venue feeling happier and more clued in on climate, environment and surf wisdom.”