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Surfing Australia, in conjunction with Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) and the Australian Sport Commission, have hosted an open forum to assess the needs of women participating in surf riding.

Held in advance of the Layne Beachley Surf Classic, the forum brought together a broad range of female stakeholders and included some of Australia's top professional.

Key female surfing identities including former ASP World Champions Sofia Mulanovich (Peru) and Chelsea Hedges (Australia); current top competing professionals Samantha Cornish, Rebecca Woods, Amee Donohoe; Layne Beachley and others put forward their views on the current state of womenâs surfing and where they would like to see it in the future.

Forum organiser Chris Symington, Surfing Australia's Sports Development Manager, explained "Surfing Australia is committed to providing the best possible athlete pathways for male and female surfers.

"The best way to start generating those opportunities is to listen to the athletes, how they view their sport now and what they would like to see improved for the future."

The forum assessed the current issues that are restricting women from participating in surf riding and looked at developing strategies to address those issues. The participants involved in the forum were given an opportunity to highlight the issues that could be acting as a barrier to further participation in surf riding.

Symington added "being involved with the Commonwealth Bank Layne Beachley Classic was a great fit for this forum giving us a fantastic opportunity to tap into views of the best female surfers in the world."

The forum gave an assessment of the women's competitive pathway from club involvement through to competing on the world professional tour and will lead to strategies to improve the support services associated with female participation in surfing.

For more information go to www.surfingaustralia.com

13th July 2009 - BEACHLEY SURF CLASSIC LEFT HIGH AND DRY

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