GIRLS CAN’T SURF
Cert 12A ★★★★
In cinemas now
Although few Brits will recognise the female stars interviewed in this engaging and often enraging Aussie surfing documentary, the story will be painfully familiar.
For decades, women were forced to cede the biggest waves to the men and had to compete for much lower prize money.
Tiring of hearing lame excuses for why they were earning so little, the women went on strike. When they were finally allowed to tackle the most daunting waves, they showed that they were just as brave and skilful as the macho icons of the sport.
The struggle is related in archive footage and interviews with pioneers of women’s surfing from the 1980s and 90s. Jodie Cooper, Lisa Andersen and Pauline Menczer may not be household names over here but it’s their fascinating personal stories that make this film so compelling.