{"id":174614,"date":"2025-11-14T04:00:10","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T17:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/?p=174614"},"modified":"2025-11-13T10:51:01","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T23:51:01","slug":"committee-for-lorne-great-ocean-road-womens-surf-fest-returns-to-lorne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/news\/committee-for-lorne-great-ocean-road-womens-surf-fest-returns-to-lorne\/","title":{"rendered":"Committee for Lorne: Great Ocean Road Women\u2019s Surf Fest Returns to Lorne!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Great Ocean Road Women\u2019s Surf Fest Returns to Lorne!<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Great Ocean Road Women\u2019s Surf Fest will return to the Lorne Foreshore on November 15 and 16, 2025, bringing together surfers, locals, and visitors for a weekend celebrating women, community and surfing on Gadubanud Country.<\/p>\n

Now in its second year, the festival \u2014 presented by Surfing Victoria \u2014 is shaping up to be one of the biggest events on the coastal calendar, featuring a full weekend of surfing, live music, markets, workshops and more.<\/p>\n

Festivities will begin bright and early on Saturday at 7am with a Welcome to Country, before the beach and foreshore come alive with a packed schedule of activities designed for all ages and interests.<\/p>\n

The festival\u2019s surf program will feature both i<\/strong>ndividual and team competitions, showcasing surfers of all levels \u2014 from local club talent to emerging junior athletes. \u00a0Alongside the competitive action, there will be surf lessons for beginners and intermediate surfers, giving women and girls the chance to experience the thrill of catching waves under the guidance of accredited coaches, Ange King, the team at Honu Honi and Go Ride a Wave. \u00a0Whether it\u2019s a first-time lesson or fine-tuning existing skills, the sessions are designed to build confidence, connection, and fun in the water.<\/p>\n

While surfing takes centre stage, there\u2019s plenty more happening both in and out of the water.<\/p>\n

The bustling Lorne Swell Market will showcase some of the region\u2019s best producers along with surf inspired goods from creators across Victoria. \u00a0You will find beautiful artwork from Ahki Illustrations, locally crafted macrame goods from Styled Knots Macrame, crisp apple cider from Brewers Orchard, accessories for your furry friend from Wet Dog and Co and much more!<\/p>\n

The Torquay Dental Surfers Hub will feature health and wellness workshops from local groups including Honu Honi Surf Camps that will be presenting on Surf Forecasting, Surf Etiquette, and how to perfect your pop up whilst the Surf Coast Women\u2019s Health Group will present on Physical Health and Surfing, keeping you surfing well into your later years.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s event will also feature a special guest appearance from 2025 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach champion Isabella Nichols, who will take part in a Q&A session on Saturday and host a surf clinic for emerging young surfers that are part of the Surfing Victoria Pathway Program.<\/p>\n

Nichols said she was looking forward to meeting women and girls who love the ocean as much as she does.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really excited to be heading to Victoria for the Great Ocean Road Women\u2019s Surf Festival,\u201d she said. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s such a special opportunity to connect with other women who share a deep love for the ocean, exchange stories, and build new friendships through surfing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fantastic to welcome Isabella down to the Great Ocean Road Womens Surf Fest,\u201d said Surfing Victoria CEO Adam Robertson. \u00a0\u201cShe is no stranger to Victoria having visited regularly for the past 10 years and now being one of the few surfers to win the Bell. \u00a0This will be a fantastic opportunity for all female surfers to learn from her story and get the chance to meet her at the event.\u201d<\/p>\n

The festival will also feature some up and coming local musical talents including Holly Droomer, Star Mailee and Frazey Horsburgh-White. \u00a0You can catch them in the Market on the foreshore throughout Saturday.<\/p>\n

Locals and visitors can expect a vibrant community vibe across the foreshore, with food, local makers, art, and entertainment throughout the weekend. \u00a0Whether you\u2019re dropping by for the market, joining a yoga session, or cheering from the sand, there\u2019s something for everyone to enjoy.<\/p>\n

The Great Ocean Road Women\u2019s Surf Fest is supported by Surf Coast Events, the Victorian Government, Torquay Dental, Atmosea, Great Ocean Road Holidays, South Coast Surfboards, Honu Honi Surf Camps, Surf Her Way, and the Surf Coast Women\u2019s Boardriders Club.<\/p>\n

For the full schedule and updates, follow @gorwomenssurfest on Instagram or visit www.greatoceanroadwomenssurffest.com.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Kahlia Dix<\/strong><\/p>\n

Surfing Victoria<\/strong><\/p>\n

A word from the chairman<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Hello<\/p>\n

Last Sunday morning, the Lorne community came out in force to voice their disappointment with, and disapproval of, the planned redevelopment of the Co-op building at Point Grey. \u00a0The meeting was called to allow community members to have their say on the internal layout of the Co-op building. \u00a0GORCAPA have not provided this opportunity and declined to attend the meeting.<\/p>\n

More than 180 attendees at the meeting unanimously supported the following statement to GORCAPA:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe seek:<\/p>\n