Responding to evidence of gendered and cultural barriers to participation in surfing for young women and girls from diverse backgrounds in coastal Victoria
The SheShaka project responds to evidence of gendered and cultural barriers to participation in surfing for young women and girls from diverse backgrounds in coastal Victoria.
The project will promote gender and health equity alongside physical activity, mental wellbeing, and social connection by engaging young women and girls who surf in an innovative, co-productive participatory action research project.
Using PhotoVoice, participants and researchers will co-produce an exhibition and short film focused on the experiences of young women and girls in surfing.
Project partners, Surfing Victoria and Brophy Family and Youth Services, are enthusiastic about applying project findings for immediate impact.
This project is supported by the Melbourne Social Equity Institute's 2022 Seed Funding Round.
University-based researchers
Professor Karen Block, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Gemma Tarpey-Brown, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Dr Natalie Galea, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning
Dr Kristen Smith, Indigenous Studies Unit
Associate Professor Georgina Sutherland, Disability Health Unit
External collaborators
Adam Robertson, Surfing Victoria
Cate Keane, Brophy Family and Youth Services
Tuesday 15 October 2024
Surf Sisters 101
“Let’s Level the Line Up”
Surf Sisters 101 is a new program happening in Port Fairy in Western Victoria this November and December. It will provide women, girls and gender-diverse people with the opportunity to participate in surfing by creating a safe environment to gain the skills, knowledge and connections needed to make surfing part of their lives.
The program is a result of research undertaken by the SheShaka project, an interdisciplinary project seed-funded by Melbourne Social Equity Institute. Sheshaka is focused on addressing gendered and cultural barriers that prevent people from feeling safe and welcome in the surf and on land.
Surf Sisters 101 is an initiative of SheShaka project partner Brophy Family and Youth Services and is funded through the Change Our Game initiative.
Photo Gallery
Developed as part of the SheShaka Project, these participant captured photographs express the experience and perception of what it’s like to be a woman or girl who surfs.
Radio
Interview with Chrissie Duncan on ABC South West Victoria, 14 June 2024
Interview with Karen Block and Hannah Cady on ABC South West Victoria, 5 December 2023
For information about this project, please contact:
Professor Karen Block
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Email: keblock@unimelb.edu.au