Spirit of Surfing is a movement started by surfer Peter Cuming in 1995 with support from surf elders Rob Conneelly, Nat Young and surf artist Roscoe Kermode. It's organised as the Spirit of Surfing Trust and promotes harmony among surfers and respect for the ocean, the land, and indigenous culture. SoS supported the Spirit of Surfing/ Surf Elders Gathering held at Byron Bay in June 2000, and then worked with the Surf Coast Shire based at Torquay on the Victorian west coast to hold the 2nd SoS Gathering at Torquay in April 2003 just before the Bells annual contest.