On the road: Bellarine Peninsula surfer Heather Peck at ease on Victorian coast

HEATHER Peck is a veteran of saltwater and endless summer sets. And the eager surfer has never felt more at ease than in the wild waters of Victoria’s southern coast.

Former teacher turned surf instructor Heather Peck, with her dog Darby, tests herself on breaks along the Victorian coast. Picture: Mark Stewart

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HEATHER Peck is a veteran of saltwater and endless summer sets.

Born in the city, the eager surfer has never felt more at ease than in the wild waters of Victoria’s southern coast.

Even on the Bellarine Peninsula, when the summer crowds can rattle the nerves, she is steady on her feet riding the waves at Thirteenth Beach, Bells and beyond.

Heather Peck, with dog Darby, is among scores of female surfers who test themselves along Victoria’s crooked southern coast. Picture: Mark Stewart

Ms Peck is among scores of female surfers who test themselves along this crooked coast.

A longboard competitor since 1992, she has even earned a few titles in the process — a second place at Bells in 2004 is among her greatest gongs.

“It’s freedom I guess but also a never-ending challenge,’’ she said.

“Every day is different and every wave is different. You are always learning.’’

Heather Peck and her dog Darby can be found along the coast even when temperatures drop in winter. Picture: Mark Stewart

A teacher by trade, Ms Peck turned her back on the traditional classroom to set up Switchfoot Surf Coaching offering an education of a different kind. Locals spot her driving around in her green Volkswagen Kombi, modified especially to accommodate her two great loves — her precious dog Darby and a stack of surfboards.

Even in winter, when the ocean temperatures dip, Ms Peck can still be found out on the water.

“It’s often better then, there are less people around,” she said. “It’s just you and the open water.’’

— Follow reporter Aaron Langmaid and photographer Mark Stewart as they discover the people and places that make our state so great this summer.

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