First International Surfing Symposium About To Kick Off

A shot from film preview "It Ain't Pretty"
COASTALWATCH | EVENT
International Surfing Symposium
13th - 17th March, Currumbin, Gold Coast
International Surfing Symposium is less than a week away and on the eve of the World Surf League Tour opening event, Quiksilver & Roxy Pro, at Snapper Rocks.
Australia's first International Surfing Symposium in association with the Global Wave Conference will converge at Currumbin. The two-day conference at Currumbin RSL on Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th March from 9am – 5pm has 38 speakers from all over the surfing world and academic fields.
Ocean conservation related issues including sustainable surfboards, fitness, health & coaching, women’s surfing, surfing in the Olympics and a forum to discuss shark management with Lindsay Lyon from Shark shield are among the topics that will be covered.
Wayne “Rabbit “Bartholomew the number one patron for Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve Inc., the host organization for the inaugural Symposium, will open the Conference on Monday 13th at 9am.
Rabbit will be followed by fellow Coolangatta mate Peter Townend. The two original Cooly Kids who became the first Gold Coast World Professional Champions in 1976/78 will reflect on their amazing history and their current roles. As well, California’s Brad Gerlach will be speaking on Monday 13th March.
“The symposium is something I am looking forward to attending and speaking at." Said Gerlach. "Surfing is my life and I am so blessed to be healthy and still just as passionate about it as ever. In fact, I am probably more passionate and appreciative than ever with all my friends and colleagues still surfing.”
Other notable speakers on Monday include Dave Rastovich & Dick Van Straalen, Save the Waves Director of Programs Nick Mucha, Surf Author Tim Baker, Peru's first World Champion Felipe Pomar, Surfing Australias Andrew Stark, Filmmaker & Editor Lachan McKinnon and Surfing Australia's Sports Science Manager Dr. Sophia Nimphius.
Tuesday's conference is made up of some of Australia's and the world’s leading surfing Academics such as Professor Ralph Buckley, Dr. Neil Lazarow and the Uk’s Dr.Greg Borne.
There are four prominent female academics presenting including Prof Donna Weeks, Dr. Rebecca Olive, Kavaljit Randahawa and Naomi Edwards. Tickets for the conference will include meals and refreshments and there are discounts for students and pensioners
Surfworld surf museum at Currumbin will screen Save the Waves Surf Film Festival on Wednesday night from 6.30pm.
Two International movies will be screened over the course of the event; "It ain’t pretty" about women in big waves and Skeleton Sea on the problem of plastics in the ocean, plus short film features including the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve dedication. Local Gold Coast Surfer/Musician Chris Freeman will play acoustic music as well as a huge line up of incredible live acts.
For registration of tickets and information of all events go to www.goldcoastworldsurfingreserve.com

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