Flyer: Don't Mark It On Your Calendar
It was International Women's Day last Monday and I didn't celebrate it.
Which, in the modern context, means I didn't comment on Facebook or send a post on Instagram.
In this regard I treated it the same as International Surfing Day, or more specifically, Earth Day. Days that, on the face of it, I'm thoroughly in favour of, however I'm suspicious of the way they're observed.
Performative celebrations can't advance a cause. A social media post can't take us to a better world.
Women should have equal rights to men, the environment should be protected, but we don't get to that place by striking single dates off a calendar as if it's another Hallmark celebration.
The reason this is appearing on a surf site is that this week the long-awaited film 'Girls Can't Surf' premiered. It was no coincidence that its release coincided with International Women's Day - it was designed that way.
However, as a vehicle for change the film is vastly more efficient. Despite being an historical doco, it allows the viewer to feel the frustrations and hardships the women faced, and still do face both within surfing and the wider world.
It'd take a hard heart to watch 'Girls Can't Surf' and not see the women as heroic. Talented, determined, and tough - all the qualities that men celebrate, all year long.
So this week I didn't celebrate International Women's Day, however I did speak to the director of Girls Can't Surf and reviewed the film. I'd urge everyone to get out and watch it too.
- Stu
Review: Girls Can't Surf
From a vantage point forty years hence, it's easy to forget how stacked the system was against women professional surfers, but 'Girls Can't Surf' reminds us what those '80s women fought for. Read More >
Chris Nelius: Director of 'Girls Can't Surf'
On the eve of its cinematic release, the director of 'Girls Can't Surf' chatted to Swellnet about the storytelling and the social dynamics and that underpin his latest film. Read More >
Imagine
Imagine...a plane full of pro surfers, a hand-on-your-heart singalong, and Joe Turpel heading to the dunnies for 'la petite mort'. It's all there plus more in the latest Ding Alley. Read More >
Laurie Towner's new job
Putting his tiling ambitions on hold, the hard charging surfer from Yamba has accepted a new mission: a two-pronged job role with crafty manufacturer, needessentials. Read More >
Watch: Dane Reynolds // Rejects Too
"Is there a satanist cabal BBQ’ing babies at George Soros' house while Bill Gates implants tracking devices in every human being, or is half the population losing their goddamn minds?" Dane questions the current state of affairs and does a wee bit of surfing too. Read More >
Watch: Tim Bonython // Deep Water
From the early morning clean up set to the pulled back view which underscores the many angles and sections, this vid of Tim's is worth your four-minute investment.. Read More >
Comments
Stu, that's probably the worst bit of judgment I've seen on here from you. Fair point about marking days on the calendar but chose your battles mate. You could have just said nothing or you could have published this article about an issue that is less likely to scrape at already raw nerves. It's offensive to equate celebrating women's rights with International Surfing Day. Surfing is your area of expertise why not write this after ISD? or if you want to probe into social issues, write it after International Men's Day (November 19, if you want to mark it in your calendar). And reviewing"Girls Can't Surf", this the Scott Morrison "what would I want if it was one of my girls" defense... With the multiple current examples of harm to women at the hands of men in positions of power (you are in a position of power Stu), the byline of your article seems unnecessary to me.
Matt
this article might help
https://theconversation.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/r/F0368E6C94D3EC202540EF...
On the contrary, I thought it was a great piece. Stu is not referring to the women’s march, he is referring to the vapid posturing which typically goes down on the date just as did the author in the article you linked :
“Forget delicious International Women’s Day breakfasts and uplifting tweets about girl power”
Your claim that the byline in this article “ reeks of misogyny” is a laugh and a slap in the face to Stu’s obvious lack of maliciousness towards women.
Sort your shit out and stick your misplaced accusations in your arse.
Yeah fair play Blowin, but that's the point isn't it? These things don't happen in a vacuum, and given the broader issues that are getting such good support, that byline seems misguided to me. I'm not saying Stu is malicious towards women, I'm suggesting he thinks more broadly about tricky issues like this and contextualises them more thoughtfully. No offence intended Stu, I've edited my first comment to reflect what actually think after a coffee...
Chill Blowing, you always seem to get your nuts in a twist so easily.
No offence taken. The blurb is deliberately provoactive, in the same way the title 'Girls Can't Surf' is deliberately provocative: it baits a hook for people to bite on and read the rest.
Also, I've written similar pieces about my feelings on International Surfing Day and Earth Day, and for years I've "said nothing" about celebrating International Women's Day via banal social media posts, yet this year those social media posts were juxtaposed against what I saw as an effective way of celebrating the advancement of women - to wit, watching 'Girls Can't Surf'.
Fair enough Stu, I'm glad you called out those others too. I just re-read your pice and I did go off half-cocked, you make a better argument than I absorbed on my first read. My bad...
Lovely IB. How good is Leunig!
I pledge right here and now to keep plodding along and trying to remain unwoke.
Who's with me?
Yup!
haha ...yup again!
Thanks for the Flyer Stu...worth a Laugh!
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/23/e0/6d/23e06d5a8d357962a33f4caaccd8a3de...
Thought we'd step it up this year...
https://cartoonmovement.typepad.com/.a/6a014e5f5d3c7c970c01bb09807afb970...
Tuesday 8th March 2022 swellnet International Women's Day Line Up
(Note : Chix day Events fast ramped up the norm' entry Price $50-200 easy).
swellnet crew will guide sisters to low cost events to celebrate for love not money!
Reckon crew can do better & find some freebies & discounts....Happy Women's Day!
swellnet Live Free Event > Portugal Pro with Pros in Fav' Female Athlete Comp Shirts
Check for Ben's Comp Banner... to kick on International Women's Day Celebrations.
Surfer's > Chosen Female Athletes List - Cheer on yer Fav Sportswomen...(No Spoiler!)
https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/pro-surfers-honour-female-sporting-ic...
Urbnsurf 7th-11th March (Free Wettie/Board Hire) 20% off [L]
Femlin Friday goes off ~ Tru & Chix take over the Bays + deals a plenty...Go for it!
As said...jump on any good deeds from the generous lads...This is a top shelf deal.
https://concreteplayground.com/melbourne/event/international-womens-day-...
Surf Coast Shire (Free Chix Video) Break the Bias
Mixed free events / venues...many links here to all sorts of Empowerment groups.
Should get an idea on what & where to look for similar in yer own towns...
https://www.easternhealth.org.au/staff-news/item/1460-free-international...
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/international-womens-day-celebration-202...
8th March 2022 Hidden Herstories Cessnock 10am-12pm (Free Event)
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/celebrating-cessnocks-hidden-herstories-...
Tuesday 8th - (11am-11pm) Kiama Festival is huge & packed with workshops.
$59 > Mums get a lunch / Tea + Music + Free Child Care...That's plenty good Value.
This is not a Posh Luncheon but a down to earth Chix gig. (Included for that reason!)
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/international-womens-day-kiama-tickets-2...
Noosa Festival of Surfing (Free Wine & Cheese - 2pm > 6pm) Go for it! Epic Deal!
Premium Beach Bar is not tbb's cup of tea but this is as good as it gets...all know it!
https://www.noosafestivalofsurfing.com/events/sirromet-wines-internation...
Surf Girl Mag...free Chix Day read...don't knock it
https://surfgirlmag.com/2020/03/happy-international-womens-day/
Goldie Libraries "Free Lunch - Power Chix Business networking" (Book early!)
Friday 12-2pm Robina Hall...(First time-rare freebie!) Easily Cost $100 in big cities!
Check for these financial empowerment Free Gigs...about the regions.
https://www.blankstreetpress.com.au/page/celebrate-international-womens-...
https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/libraries/Home?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent...
https://www.wearegoldcoast.com.au/articles/international-womens-day
Chix Wetties Review...free advice > may just save some time & money...check it!
https://www.nationalworld.com/recommended/best-surfing-swimming-wetsuits...
Weekend Warriors
Sat 12 March 11:30am Belmore Park (Free) "Sydney March / Rides / Gig"
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/international-womens-day-2022-tickets-26...