Women who surf to star in series’ first line-up

TORQUAY Commerce and Tourism (TCT) has partnered with Moore Stephens, Surfers in Suits and Surfing Victoria to stage the first “Women in Business” event of the year later this month.

To celebrate the Rip Curl Pro as well as Active April, the lunch will be centred on women who surf.

As women’s surfing in Australia continues to grow, panellists will look at the growing popularity of the sport, the benefits of surfing to Geelong and the Surf Coast region, and how more women can be encouraged to get involved.

Attendees to the networking lunch will hear insights from the newly-appointed first female chair of Surfing Victoria Ashleigh Wall as well as longboard champion and board member of Surfing Victoria Kate Sullivan on women’s surfing, the economic benefits to the region and what we need to do to ensure women’s participation in the sport continues to grow.

Growing up in Barwon Heads and joining the Board of Surfing Victoria in 2014, Ms Wall is an experienced corporate lawyer, passionate sportsperson and advocate for corporate social responsibility within the state.

Key priorities for Surfing Victoria under Ms Wall’s leadership will be to continue to work with key stakeholders to increase participation in all levels of surfing and promote gender equality through such things as its female stand-up paddle boarding program Coasting.

The Women in Business event will be held at RACV Torquay Resort on April 18 from noon-2pm.

Tickets are $55 for TCT members and $65 for non-members and include a two-course lunch. Drinks at bar prices.

For tickets, head to facebook.com/torquaycommerce.