Aussie teen surfing drama has positive, predictable themes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
some
Characters get into a fist fight, others intentionally destroy property. A girl gets hurt while surfing and almost drowns. A boy suffers PTSD and has flashbacks to having an accident and nearly drowning.
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One of the main characters is trying to become a social media influencer. She's often shown taking pictures and video of herself and discussing her plans with her friends.
Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
very little
Kids are shown at parties and a boy is encouraged to "chug," but it's unclear if he's drinking alcohol or something else.
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Although the kids make plenty of mistakes, they learn courage, perseverance, compassion, and teamwork along the way. Over the course of the season, Summer realizes that her happiness isn't the only thing that's important, especially if others are suffering.
Positive Role Models
some
The main characters are an exceptionally accepting and supportive group who regularly look out, and make sacrifices, for one another. They make mistakes, including lying, sneaking out, and getting into fights, but ultimately learn that teamwork and loyalty are most important to them. One character worries that others will see his struggles with PTSD and anxiety, but eventually finds the courage to talk about what he's been going through with his friends and family.
Diverse Representations
some
Marlon is Brazilian and has come to Australia to surf competitively. Bodhi, Poppi, Coach Manu, and a lot of the supporting cast are people of color. Women surfers are featured alongside the men. A main character struggles with PTSD and anxiety.
Gives a glimpse into life in Australia interspersed with explanations of the technical and practical aspects of surfing.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Surviving Summer is a teenage surfing drama set on the Australian coast that contains some mild violence and kissing. One of the main characters struggles with PTSD and anxiety and is afraid his friends and family will find out. Kids regularly act in deceptive ways, stealing, sneaking out of the house, trespassing, destroying property, and lying to adults about what they're doing. The surf team they compete against also plays dirty. A boy pretends to like a girl so that he can break up with her and "psyche her out" before an important surfing competition, then makes fun of her in front of his friends and they laugh at her. There are also examples of the teens de-escalating situations and learning valuable lessons. The girls look down on the boys for shoving and hitting each other, calling it a "stupid boy fight," and discourage one of their friends from acting on a revenge plot. One boy won't fight another, even when provoked, because the other boy is injured. Although the kids make plenty of mistakes, they learn courage, perseverance, compassion, and teamwork along the way. Over the course of the season, one main character realizes that her happiness isn't the only thing that's important, especially if others are suffering, and another learns not to give up when things get tough.
I watched this series with my 11 year old,;The first season is appropriate at most levels for a 10 plus rating; there is some crush/kissing situations that go on but nothing that bad; however in the 2nd season the kids are more older teenagers and party, partake in alcohol and destroy property; all with a positive message because there is little to no grown up involvement; the big issue I had was the relationships; there is a lot more kissing/ sneaking off during parties to be alone; in one episode the new girl friend suggests she goes to the tent/room of the Ari and he goes into his room to get condoms to use. At this point we were done watching the show.
Partying, drinking, sneaking off to have sex. 100% NOT 10 and up.
What's the Story?
In SURVIVING SUMMER, rebellious Brooklyn teen Summer Torres (Sky Katz) is sent to live with family friends in the tiny town of Shorehaven on the Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia. Despite her best efforts, Summer falls in love with the town, the people, and the surf. How will this trip Down Under affect her and the people she meets?
The gorgeous setting, upbeat soundtrack, and stunning surfing shots make this a series that will immediately pull in the viewer. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of reason to stick around once the visual impact of Surviving Summer begins to fade. The coming-of-age story that involves some of the most wholesome surfers ever depicted on screen who meet a big-city rebel who gets into as much trouble as possible isn't breaking any molds. It will, however, appeal to pre-teens who are ready for slightly more grown-up thrills. Parents will appreciate the absence of sex, drugs, and alcohol, as well as the lessons the kids learn along the way. But they won't actually enjoy watching it very much. Stiff performances and a lack of chemistry, in both friendships and romantic relationships, mean the series never fully catches a wave.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it means to have integrity. Point out examples of characters who do, and don't, display integrity. How does it affect how others see them?
What does Ari learn about the importance of communication over the course of the season? How do you think he felt once he finally worked up the courage to talk to his parents about his anxiety?
There are some amazing surf and skating scenes in this show. Ask if your kids think the actors performed the stunts themselves. If not, how do they think the scenes were shot?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Stephanie Morgan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
