Fourteen amateur surfers assemble in Australia to begin an international competition offering opportunities in professional shortboard and longboard surfing. The contestants meet and prepare for the physical, technical and personal challenges ahead as their globe-spanning surf adventure gets underway.
The premiere continues as the fourteen contestants move beyond their introductions and enter the opening stage of the competition. They begin adjusting to the demands of travelling, training and competing while trying to establish themselves among the group.
During a tense elimination meeting, Vivian and Lauren learn that both of them are in danger of leaving the competition. Vivian must then recover from a hangover while facing an important surfing challenge.
April accidentally dislocates her shoulder while surfing, placing her future in the competition in doubt. She hopes to recover sufficiently to complete the contestants’ next physical training test.
The remaining surfers face the media during a press conference before returning to the water. They later test their skills in a formal surfing contest as the competition continues.
The competition moves to Samoa, where the Surf Girls must step up to the challenge of riding much larger waves. The intimidating conditions raise the physical and technical stakes for the remaining contestants.
In Tahiti, Heidi backs away from riding the island’s big waves. Jenna also reaches a breaking point during a demanding physical challenge and quits the test.
The contestants temporarily leave competition mode for a bikini photo shoot. The Surf Girls trade their boards for the camera as the series turns its attention to the promotional side of surfing.
The Surf Girls teach children how to surf, giving the contestants an opportunity to share their skills away from formal competition. Tension returns when April decides to confront Mary about the bad feeling between them.
The group travels from Tahiti to Hawaii, but the journey is complicated when Vivian develops an infection. Robyn decides to leave the competition as the remaining surfers approach the final stage.
With places in the final stage running out, Vivian and Jenna face one another in a surf-off. The result will determine which contestant advances to the finals.
Kula’s injured shoulder threatens to remove her from the competition as the final approaches. April continues to feel tension from Mary, and another Surf Girl is eliminated.
Only two surfers remain as the season reaches its concluding competition. Longboard winner Mary joins The Crossing, a surf cruise with professional riders, while shortboard champion Jen earns a place in the WCT Roxy Pro. Both must now demonstrate that they can hold their own alongside established professional surfers.