In the late 1970s, Sue, a teenage girl from the southern suburbs of Sydney, navigates the social dynamics of her time, which revolve around observing and engaging with the local surfing boys. Her life is largely defined by conforming to the norms of her peers, which include peculiar rules like avoiding eating or using the bathroom in the presence of boys. Girls deemed unattractive face a dilemma: they can either adopt a hostile attitude towards boys or be perceived as promiscuous and face social scorn. Afternoons are typically spent on the beach, in the backseats of cars, or at unsupervised parties where alcohol and sex are prevalent. Meanwhile, parents and teachers struggle to guide the teenagers onto a more conventional path.