Seas the Day makes a splash for women’s surfing

Eighty-seven teams entered Surfing Australia’s Seas the Day Surf Festival, which included a tag-team surf competition with four divisions: under 12 Mini Shredders, Girls Under 18 Shortboard, Open Women’s Shortboard, and Open Women’s Longboard.

The festival site featured live music, yoga, ice baths, breath work, food trucks, as well as workshops.

It drew international stars and World Champion’s including Layne Beachley, Pauline Menczer, Pam Burridge, and Big Wave Surfer Laura Enever among others, who spoke on topics including women of surf, wellness, and film and photography.

Event organiser Natalie Scienken said the U12 Mini Shredders division was one of the most popular events at the festival, with the festival drawing a crowd of thousands.

“About 15,000 attended this year, for its second instalment,” Scienken said.

“There was more than $50,000 total in cash prizes and giveaways including $1,000 in prize money for the first place of each division (except U12), plus goodie bags for every competitor.

“The event aims to encourage women of all skill levels to compete in a pressure-free environment and give them the confidence to catch waves and feel supported in what used to be a largely male-dominated sport.”

For more information, head to seasthedaysurffestival.com