Photo: Surfing Australia
Surfing Australia has been awarded $1 million in federal funding for their “New Wave of Female Boardriders” project. The grant will be delivered over three years and aims to make surfing more accessible to women and girls across Australia.
The organization, which is the national governing body for surfing in Australia, aims to use the money to support women’s surfing through a wide variety of means, according to a press release announcing the award. Among their initiatives are plans to establish 50 new women’s boardrider clubs, provide free female judging, coaching and officials courses, and host an annual women’s development camp at the Hyundai Surfing Australia High Performance Centre. The money also enables Surfing Australia to establish a full-time National Women’s Participation & Club Development Officer and part-time Women’s Club Development Officers across the states.
Federal funding for the program comes from Play Our Way, a program designed to provide funding for local initiatives and ideas to address participation barriers faced by women and girls.
“This investment is a game-changer for women’s surfing. We’re creating a pathway that will see more women involved in surfing at every level—from beginners in local boardrider clubs to female coaches on the beach. It’s all about opening doors for more women to embrace surfing and stay connected, making the sport more inclusive for everyone,” said Luke Madden, Surfing Australia Chief of Sport – Events, Participation & Community.
