Surviving Summer
Surviving Summer
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What 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.
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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?
Is It Any Good?
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?
TV Details
- Premiere date: June 3, 2022
- Cast: Sky Katz, Kai Lewins
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts, High School
- Character Strengths: Perseverance, Teamwork
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: February 17, 2023
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