Watch Surviving Summer

Surviving Summer is an Australian coming-of-age drama television series that premiered on Netflix in 2022. The show follows Summer Torres, a rebellious New York teenager who is sent to spend the summer with family friends in Shorehaven, Australia after getting into trouble back home.

At first, Summer has trouble fitting in with the locals in this small beach town. She especially butts heads with Ari Gibson, a competitive surfer at school who sees Summer as privileged and out of touch. However, Summer eventually finds her place with the help of Ari's younger brother Marlon, who has a big heart and is one of the few people who gives Summer a chance. Marlon introduces Summer to the world of surfing, even convincing his sister Ari to give Summer surf lessons.

As the weeks go by, Summer discovers she has a real talent for surfing. She also starts to realize that this laidback town and the people in it are helping her grow in ways she never could have back in New York. For the first time, she is making real friends like Marlon and Claudia, Ari's best friend. Summer even develops an unlikely friendship with Ari as they bond over surfing and helping run the local surf club.

At the surf club, Summer finds a mentor in Magoo, an older surfing legend who sees Summer's potential. Under Magoo's guidance, Summer starts training to compete in a big junior surf competition at the end of the summer. However, Ari is also competing, which causes friction between the two girls. Both are determined to win the competition and the big prize that comes with it.

Alongside the surfing storyline, Summer finds romance with Marlon's handsome older brother Tai. But the course of love never runs smoothly, especially for someone with as many walls up as Summer. Opening herself up to love and friendship remains an ongoing challenge as the summer progresses.

Over 10 episodes, Surviving Summer charts Summer's growth from a distrustful fish-out-of-water to someone slowly embracing a new life and new beginnings. The show explores universal teenage themes like fitting in, first love, and finding your passion. Summer's journey is as much an internal one as an external one, as she learns to let down her guard and let people into her world.

With its picturesque beach backdrop, relatable characters, and exciting surfing action, Surviving Summer proved a fun and heartfelt coming-of-age story upon its debut. While lighthearted overall, the show also touches on more serious topics like grief, absent parents, and forgiveness. The surfing provides an upbeat outlet and a community Summer didn't realize she was missing back in New York. By the season's end, Shorehaven and its residents leave an indelible mark on Summer's life.

Surviving Summer is a series that is currently running and has 2 seasons (18 episodes). The series first aired on June 3, 2022.