Festival participant and surfer - Steph:
“Such an inspiring event! I loved hearing the stories shared and the insights from the panelists — especially the reflections on our interconnectedness while surfing, from the people we surf with to the sea creatures we share the ocean with, the history of those who have come before us, our responsibility to those who will come after us, and the changing climate that surrounds us. I'm planning to return every year this festival runs.”
Photo credit: Lauren Humberstone
Photo credit: Carm Seas
Festival Co-Director - Sam:
“Wow, what an incredible celebration of women surfers and ocean lovers. It was wonderful to see everyone connecting, learning and laughing. This year we wanted to enable more story telling and active participation and it was really powerful to listen to diverse voices and create a collective goal for women’s surfing.”
Surfcoast Women’s Boardriders Chair- Ashika:
“We were honoured to support this amazing festival. We wanted to draw from our amazing community across Victoria to activate us as a collective who have shared this experience and who each bring different perspectives around our relationships with the water to think about our vision for diversity and inclusion surfing.”
Photo credit: Carm Seas
Festival participant and surfer - Anna:
“What a wonderful weekend celebrating women in the ocean!! Thoughtful discussions and friendly smiles made me feel seen and reignited my passion for surfing. An amazing festival every year, can’t wait to be back.”
Festival Co-Director - Noe:
“My favourite part of the festival was singing with everyone on the opening night and when we all belted out ‘What’s going on!’ (What’s up by 4-Non Blondes). It was a powerful moment, you could feel the energy in the room dancing on the vibrations of our collective voices. I feel so much gratitude to have been a part of Highline and to spend the day with so many generous and talented water women, who are leaders in their own communities.”
Photo credit: Ula Majewski