She isn't the main character. Not on paper, anyway. But if you've actually sat through both seasons of the Netflix hit, you know that Poppy Treadingwater is basically the glue holding the entire Shorehaven surf scene together. While Summer Torres is busy being the loud, chaotic American fish-out-of-water, Poppy is the one actually grinding. She's the one with the stakes.
Poppy's journey is a bit of a slow burn. Honestly, it’s a relief.
In a world of teen dramas where every character is an archetype—the rebel, the golden boy, the mean girl—Poppy feels like a real person you'd actually meet at a competitive surf meet in Victoria. She’s played by Lilliana Bowrey, who, for those who don't know, isn't just an actress playing a part. She’s a real-life five-time junior surfing champion from Queensland. That authenticity matters. You can see it in the way she paddles. It’s not a stunt double doing the heavy lifting while a lead actor does a "blue steel" look toward the horizon. It’s her.
The Pressure of Being Poppy Treadingwater
Most fans focus on the romance. They want to know if Poppy and Bodhi are good, or how the dynamic with Summer is shifting. But the real meat of her character is the pressure.
Poppy carries the weight of her family’s expectations and her own internal drive to be the best. In Season 1, we see her grappling with the loss of her mother. That isn't just a "sad backstory" trope to give her some flavor; it dictates her entire relationship with the ocean. The water is where she feels connected to her mom, but it's also where she feels the most scrutinized.
It’s heavy.
Then you have the rivalry. In Season 2, the stakes get cranked up. The introduction of the NSW team and characters like Wren Radic puts Poppy in a position where her leadership is tested. She isn't just surfing for herself anymore. She’s trying to navigate the messy transition from "talented kid" to "professional prospect."
That’s a transition most people fail.
Lilliana Bowrey brings a specific kind of "quiet intensity" to the role. There are scenes where she doesn't say much, but you can see her calculating the sets, watching the tide, and measuring up the competition. It’s a grounded performance that balances out Summer’s high-energy antics. Without Poppy, the show would just be a fish-out-of-water comedy. With her, it’s a sports drama with actual teeth.
Why the Surfing in Surviving Summer Actually Looks Good
Let’s be real. Most surf movies are terrible. The CGI is wonky, or the actors clearly can't stand on a board.
Poppy from Surviving Summer works because the showrunners prioritized casting actual surfers. Aside from Bowrey, you have Kai Lewins (Ari) and Joao Marinho (Marlon) who can actually hold their own. But Bowrey is the standout. Her style is fluid. It’s powerful. When the script says Poppy is one of the best young surfers in Australia, you believe it because you’re looking at it.
There’s a specific nuance to Australian surf culture that the show gets right, mostly through the Treadingwater family. The vibe at Shorehaven isn't the polished, commercialized version of surfing you see in California. It’s rugged. It’s cold. It involves thick neoprene and waking up when it’s still dark and freezing.
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Poppy embodies that "grom" spirit.
She’s also a refreshing take on the female athlete. She’s competitive without being "catty" for the sake of drama. When she clashes with Bodhi or Summer, it’s usually rooted in a difference of philosophy regarding the sport or deep-seated insecurities about her own standing. It’s relatable. Everyone has felt that sting of a friend suddenly becoming a rival.
The Evolution from Season 1 to Season 2
In the first season, Poppy was a bit more of a secondary force. She was the steady hand.
By the time we hit the second season, her arc becomes much more central to the emotional stakes of the competition. We see her dealing with the reality of the pro circuit. It’s not just about catching waves; it’s about sponsorships, rankings, and the mental toll of constant evaluation.
The "State Team" plotline is where she really shines.
You see the friction between her desire to be a team player and her need to win. Surfing is a lonely sport. Even when you’re on a team, you’re out there on the wave by yourself. Poppy’s struggle to balance her loyalty to her friends with her personal ambition is the most "human" part of the show. She makes mistakes. She gets jealous. She gets angry.
She’s not a saint. She’s a teenager trying to turn a hobby into a life.
The Lilliana Bowrey Connection
You can't talk about the character without talking about the person behind her.
Bowrey’s casting was a bit of a gamble for Netflix, considering she wasn't a "name" actress. But it paid off. She brings a level of technical jargon and "shorebreak" slang that feels earned. When she talks about a "snap" or a "cutback," it doesn't sound like a scriptwriter Googled "surf terms."
It sounds like a girl who grew up on the Sunshine Coast.
Interestingly, her real-life career has mirrored some of the show's themes. Balancing a burgeoning acting career with a professional surfing trajectory is exactly the kind of "multi-hyphenate" pressure that 2020s athletes face. She’s become a bit of an icon for young girls in Australia who want to see a version of themselves on screen that isn't hyper-sexualized or overly "girly." Poppy is tough. She’s messy. She wears oversized hoodies and has salt-crusted hair.
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It’s authentic.
What Most People Get Wrong About Poppy
A lot of casual viewers see Poppy as the "stoic" one.
"She’s just the serious surfer girl."
That’s a surface-level take. If you look closer, Poppy is actually the most emotionally vulnerable character in the series. Ari hides behind his anxiety. Summer hides behind her bravado. Marlon hides behind his ego.
Poppy? She doesn't have a shield.
Everything she feels is right there. When she loses, you see the devastation. When she wins, the joy isn't just about the trophy; it's about the relief. The relief that she’s still "good enough." That’s a heavy burden for a character who is supposed to be, what, sixteen? seventeen?
The show does a great job of showing how the surf industry can chew up young talent. Through Poppy’s eyes, we see the behind-the-scenes politics of the Australian Junior Team. It’s not all sunshine and beach parties. It’s spreadsheets, coach critiques, and the constant fear of being replaced by the next "it" girl from the Gold Coast.
The Cultural Impact of the Character
Surviving Summer has been a massive hit globally, often ranking in the top ten in countries that don't even have a coastline.
Why?
Because the dynamics between Poppy, Summer, and Bodhi are universal. It’s a story about finding your place. For Poppy, that place is the ocean, but even that is being invaded by the pressures of growing up.
For many young viewers, Poppy is the "aspirational" character. Not because she’s perfect, but because she’s disciplined. In a world of short attention spans and TikTok fame, seeing a character who puts in the hours, hits the gym, studies the swell charts, and treats her craft with respect is actually quite cool.
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It’s a different kind of "influence."
She also represents a very specific Aussie identity. The "no worries" attitude on the outside, but the "gritty competitor" on the inside. It’s a nuanced portrayal of Australian youth culture that avoids the "Crocodile Dundee" cliches while still feeling distinctly "Down Under."
What’s Next for Poppy?
With the way Season 2 ended, the door is wide open.
The jump to the world stage is the logical next step. But for Poppy, the challenge will be maintaining her love for the sport while it becomes a job. We've seen her handle grief and rivalry. Now, she has to handle success.
That’s often harder.
If there’s a Season 3, expect to see Poppy facing off against international talent. The stakes will move beyond Victoria and into the global arena. This is where the character could really evolve—seeing how a "big fish" from a small town like Shorehaven handles the massive pond of the WSL (World Surf League).
Honestly, it’s what the fans are waiting for.
Whether she’s navigating a complicated romance or trying to stick a difficult landing in a heat, Poppy Treadingwater remains the emotional anchor of the series. She’s the reminder that while Summer might be the one visiting, the locals are the ones who have to live with the consequences of every wave.
If you're looking to understand the real appeal of Surviving Summer, stop looking at the American girl. Look at the girl on the board next to her. The one with the focused eyes and the five-time champion's pedigree.
That’s where the story is.
Practical Steps for Fans of Poppy and Surviving Summer:
- Watch the Real Surfing: Check out Lilliana Bowrey’s actual competition footage on YouTube or Instagram. It gives you a much deeper appreciation for the "stunts" you see in the show.
- Explore Great Ocean Road: If you're ever in Australia, visit Aireys Inlet and Jan Juc. These are the real-life locations that make up "Shorehaven." The surf culture there is exactly as depicted—intense, community-focused, and beautiful.
- Support Women's Surfing: The show highlights the disparity in how female surfers are treated compared to males. Following the WSL Women's Championship Tour is a great way to see the real-life version of Poppy's dream.
- Track the Production: Keep an eye on official Netflix Australia channels. Given the show's massive "Discover" presence and global viewership numbers, news about the future of the Treadingwater family usually breaks there first.
Poppy’s story isn't just about winning a trophy. It’s about the grit required to stay at the top when everyone is waiting for you to wipe out. It’s a lesson in resilience that resonates long after the credits roll.