Tweed and Gold Coast beaches were taken over last week by more than 2500 first-time female surfers for the annual Girls Go Surfing Day.
In its 22nd year, the Girls Go Surfing Day is the longest running female learn-to-surf program and encourages beginners of all ages to experience the thrill of surfing for the first time.
The program was held nationally at more than 40 schools through the Surfing Australia Surf Schools Network.
Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark said it was great to see so many beginners enjoying surfing for the first time.
“Learning to surf can bring many years of satisfaction and it’s great young females can come and try it for the first time with their friends in a fun and safe environment,” Stark said.
“The Girls Go Surfing Day program always proves popular and Surfing Australia is proud to be supporting the growth of women’s surfing.”
Summer Gardner from Runaway Bay brought daughters Skye, 8, and Jade, 6, to Walkin’ On Water Surf School at Greenmount and was thrilled with the program.
“It was absolutely fantastic and I think they are addicted for life,” Summer said. “They were really nervous starting out and said, ‘I can’t do it’, but now they are diehards and want to do the SurfGroms course and get into surfing and be surfing babes.
“I was really impressed they could get on the boards really. The instructors were fabulous, very hands on and I think without them the kids would not have got up so they did a really great job.”
The Girls Go Surfing Day is proudly supported by Surfing Australia, Rip Curl, DOLLY Magazine and the Australian Sports Commission.
