A new event designed to bridge the gap between recreational and competitive surfing for women launched at Kiama on Saturday.
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The Surfing NSW Challenge Her Team's Classic is a three-event surf teams series just for women.
The three regional female events aim to increase participation and support females in surfing.
The first ever event was held at Lennox Head last weekend, with the second hosted at Kiama and the third to run at Newcastle.
The teams format emphasises fun, collaborative surfing over individual competition.
General manager of Surfing NSW Kate Cass said there were 96 competitors from across the southern region in the water at Jones' Beach on Saturday.
Competitors ranged in age from eight to 53, and rode everything from the smallest stick to serious logs.
"We really wanted to include shortboarding and longboarding together because we wanted it to be as inclusive as possible," she said.
"We really saw a gap in female surfers coming through the generations, up from boardriders and into competitive ranks, and we knew there were a lot of recreational surfers who would love to surf in a comp but might not have the confidence or support.
"By amplifying the fun and inclusive element we were hopeful we could get more people to have a go."
While the event featured women surfers, commentators and organisers, the beach was crowded with blokes there to provide support and share the stoke.
The series is supported by the NSW Office of Sport's Her Sport Her Way initiative that aims to build a sport where women and girls are valued, recognised and have equal choices and opportunities to lead and participate.
Ms Cass said local councils and boardriders clubs were incredibly supportive of the initiative.
"Having that local support makes this possible," she said.
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