Surfing Australia's Seas The Day women's surf festival has been hailed a huge success by event organisers, surfers. and spectators alike. Held over the weekend of June 21-22 at Kingscliff Beach in northern New South Wales for the second year in a row, the world's largest female participation surf event once again exceeded all expectations.
Kirra Dowling, from Mollymook on the south coast of New South Wales, was part of team ‘The Simmers,’ making the Final in Open Women’s Longboard presented by Coffee Supreme.
"I'm a beginner surfer, and I absolutely love the celebration of women at this festival and everything they bring to the surfing community. Seeing all the young girls smiling, so enthusiastic, and proud, and brave. You know, just to get out there and have a go. It's good fun. I've been in a couple of the hubs and listened to women like Pauline Menczer. Her story's so heartwarming."
Maddie Jordan, a local surfer from Kingscliff, entered a team with her friends.
“It's so good for Kingscliff to have an event like this. The workshops have been really inspiring. I liked all of them. The Female Surfer and photographer Cait Miers were really good. They were all empowering women and really inspiring talks.”
Jordan's teammate Chelsea Aston said: “It feels really inclusive. I haven't been to many events where it’s two days, focused entirely on women and all free. I really enjoyed the female workshops as well. The Female Surfer workshop taught me how to move my body in a way that's more beneficial, how to loosen up and get better waves and paddle better as well.”
13-year-old Gidget Kowalski from Bilinga, QLD, won Open Women’s Shortboard presented by Sambazon with the ‘Alley Cats’.
“In my heat, I was up against Layne Beachley and Tru Starling. It was amazing to surf alongside my heroes and such amazing surfers and it's just really fun to hang out with heaps of other girls. Events like this are really good for surfing and encourage everyone to have a go. Surfing in a team takes away the pressure and is so much fun."
Ily Fraser from team ‘Mini Micro Power’ travelled from Margaret River, WA, with her mum and sister, to surf in the popular Salty Girls Surf School U12 Mini Shredders division.
“I love hanging out with my friends, meeting new friends, and getting to surf in a tag team. It’s a pretty cool event. I met Layne Beachley, we've been surfing a lot, and there's heaps of cool stuff to do here.”
Ily’s mum Yvette Fraser said: “It’s been a fun weekend getting the girls involved. We don't really have boardrider team events like this in WA, so it’s been cool to see the clubs sticking together, everyone out with their tents, cheering each other on.”
Image: Andy Morris / Surfing Australia
Organisers estimate that 15,000 people attended the festival over the two days.
Surfers from the peninsula took part as both competitors in the events and as speakers. North Narrabeen surfer Tru Starling was a member of the Surfing Australia team in the Women's Open Shortboard, Laura Enenver a Speaker on Big Waves. Queenscliff BRC and Freshwater BRC sent in teams that competed across the age divisions. Former Pittwater girls Pam Burridge and Chelsea Hedges were there, Emma Dieters was there, Tully White was part of the winning Celebrity Surf Challenge Team.
World Champions Layne Beachley and Pam Burridge - two women who have been giving back to girls in the water for decades. Pic; Layne/FB
Em Dieters heads out. Image: Andy Morris / Surfing Australia
Tully White Image: Andy Morris / Surfing Australia
Surfing Australia CEO Chris Mater said: "It has been an incredible two-days celebrating women in surfing at Seas The Day, the world's largest female participation surf event. With women and girls of all ages hitting the surf, being inspired by their surfing idols at workshops and festival hubs, and even surfing alongside them.
''The Celebrity Surf Challenge is always a highlight, with AFLW players and media stars getting involved. A huge thank you must go out to all of the hub hosts, guest speakers, female commentators, photographers, and judges, as well as the families, boardrider clubs, and friends who put teams together and competed over the weekend. We look forward to seeing you again next year."
7x World Champion Layne Beachley competing in the Celebrity Challenge at Seas The Day. Image: Andy Morris / Surfing Australia
Image: Andy Morris / Surfing Australia
2024 Seas The Day winners
Salty Girls Surf School Under 12 Mini Shredders
Mini Micro Power - 12.99
Daisies and Lilies - 9.27
Alley Little Kittens - 8.33
Open Women's Longboard presented by Coffee Supreme
Whale Sharks - 13.57
Kabi Kabi Gypseas - 10.93
All Girls Lennox Head - 8.67
Open Women’s Shortboard presented by Sambazon
Alley Cats - 8.53
Byron Bay - Tallows Team - 8.37
Surfing Australia - 7.84
Ghanda Girls Under 18 Shortboard
Snapper Rocks SRC 1 - 10.47
Alley Kittens - 9.87
Kiama Krew - 9.17
Celebrity Surf Challenge
Purple Team - 1st
Kirra Molnar
Tully White
Tory Gilkerson
Pink Team - 2nd
Emma Dieters
Kate Wilcomes
Pam Burridge
Blue Team - 3rd
Layne Beachley
Imogen Caldwell
Pauline Menzcer
Orange Team - 4th
Rachael Tilly
Andy Kovszum
Liz Cantor
Green Team - 5th
Summa Longbottom
Georgia Clayden
Claudia Whitford
For all the results, please visit LiveHeats.
About Seas The Day
Seas The Day is is the world’s largest female participation surf event that aims to encourage women of all skill levels to compete in a pressure-free environment. The festival features guest speakers, workshops, movie screenings, food trucks, live music, entertainment and more.
Seas the Day 2024 Speakers Program
Image: Andy Morris / Surfing Australia
Image: Andy Morris / Surfing Australia
Image: Andy Morris / Surfing Australia
Report: Surfing Australia. Photos: Andy Morris / Surfing Australia
