Selection – The episode opens with Summer Torres (Sky Katz) listening to Ellie Goulding’s “Fire and Ice” while imagining a surf session with Ari Gibson (Kai Lewins) that ends in a kiss. Her thoughts are interrupted by the voice of Margot Torres (Kate Beahan), who warns they are going to miss their flight to the competition if she doesn’t get moving. After their flight, Margot reminds her they can’t check in until three and attempts to call Abbie Gibson (Adrienne Pickering). Intervening, Summer asks Margot if she understands the concept of a surprise. Margot points out that not everyone likes surprises.

Arriving at Abbies, Summer races ahead of Margot and enters without knocking to find the house empty. When Margot catches up and sees Summer admiring a photo of Ari. She say she had a feeling that’s why Summer wanted to come back. Summer denies it and rushes back to the car when she receives a text about the competition being moved to today. Manu Tetanui (Chris Alosio) criticizes Poppy Tetanui’s driving as she looks for an empty parking space. While getting their gear from the rear of the van, he gives her a “GOAT”  figurine he found amongst their mother’s things. She says the two of them shared an insider’s joke about her being the “greatest of all time.” He says she wasn’t joking and suspects this will be the year Poppy makes captain.

Surfers spend the last few minutes practicing in the wave pool while the announcer reminds everyone the state competition will begin shortly. Manu and Marlon Sousa (Joao Gabriel Marinho) use the extra time to grapple while Bodhi Mercer (Savannah La Rain) inquires about Poppy’s drive. Poppy declares herself the “Freeway Queen,” although she suspects Manu wouldn’t agree. They both admit to being nervous before their attention is drawn to a loudspeaker announcement, declaring their pizza to be ready. The announcement also insists on Marlon putting on a shirt. A quick reunion follows when the voice behind the announcement is revealed to be Summer. Summer’s attention is drawn to Ari exiting the wave pool. She’s stunned when he’s greeted with a kiss by his new girlfriend Wren Radic (Annabel Wolfe). After he introduces them, Summer reveals that she is there to try out. He reminds her that today is the final round, but she assures the group that she’s good now and already applied for a wildcard spot.

In the locker room, Summer chides Bodhi and Poppy for not mentioning Wren. Poppy reminds her they haven’t spoken in months. Bodhi adds that they have their own lives. Summer admits she was looking forward to seeing Ari before asking what they’ve been up to. Poppy says it has been all comps and training, but Bodhi has a new love interest. She refuses to talk about it and asks when Summer started surfing. Summer says it started as a way to feel closer to them but developed into much more.

Marlon and Ari watch the competition while discussing how nice it is to have Summer back. Ari sarcastically says the distraction on the biggest day of the year is just what he needs. He then admits that he and Summer would have never worked as a couple. When Poppy and Manu join them, Manu confirms the rumors about applying for state coach. Griff Temple (Mitchell Hardaker) overhears Ari’s suggestion of making Poppy captain and says everyone already knows who the team captain will be. All attention goes to the wave pool when Bodhi’s first run comes up.

Elsewhere, Summer learns that her late entry wasn’t accepted. After a short argument with the official, she spawns a different plan. Summer visits Ari in the boy’s locker room and asks him to distract the officials so she can sneak into the competition and showcase her skills. He asks if she wants him to risk disqualification to help her out. Although she reminds him that she once broke the rules for him, he refuses with the excuse that this is the big leagues. Once alone, Baxter (Josh Macqueen) who had been eavesdropping on the conversation offers to help.

Back at the competition, Poppy goes up against Wren and both put out a solid first run. When they gather for their second run, Summer jumps in and steals Wren’s wave. She puts up a solid performance but is later admonished by Poppy for being reckless. The announcer informs the crowd that the competition is over and selections will be made in a few short hours.

Summer is impressed with Margot’s choice of accommodations and declares it to be the perfect party house. Margot claims that everything else was booked while announcing the strict no-party policy. Summer jokingly asks how they are going to celebrate her making the team before wishing Margot would have seen her compete. Margot says she’s sure Summer was great but reminds her that competitive surfers need to do things the right way, regardless of how much they like to paint themselves as rebels. Margot suggests they focus on having fun for the next couple of weeks. Summer asks if she meant the next couple of months. Margot says they have to be realistic.

Summer runs into Honey Gibson (Asamara Feik) skateboarding through the neighborhood. When Honey invites her to check out her deck collection, they run into Ari and Wren making out in the kitchen. Summer apologizes for messing up Wren’s final run. Wren tells her to not worry about it because comp surfing is all about the unexpected.

At a backyard cookout, an impatient Poppy tries to uncover news from the competition while Summer learns from Bodhi that Baxter burnt down the Boardriders clubhouse and got kicked off the national team. Bodhi claims that’s why he and Wren moved to Queensland. Later that night, Wren is the first to learn that she’s made team captain. Ari, Bodhi, and Poppy are the next to learn they’ve been selected. Marlon doesn’t make the team and claims to be fine, although he leaves the party early. Summer is congratulated after learning she’s earned a wildcard spot. After going inside to use the restroom, Wren accuses her of being an entitled brat who will do anything for attention. Summer tells her to be careful because they are on the same team now. Wren says the team is about taking her career to the next level and claims it’s only a matter of time before everyone sees that Summer doesn’t deserve her spot.

 

Surviving Summer Review 

For a 30-minute episode, there seemed to be an incredible amount of fluff. The episode didn’t feel incredible, although it wasn’t entirely awful. It deserves at least a 5 out of 10. The acting was pretty dreadful at times as well. As far as the story goes, there isn’t a whole lot of depth, which may turn out to be a good thing. All in all, it’s hard to see how this got a second season.

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