Surfing Australia expands its ‘Surf for Life’ Program with Play Well participation grant

CASUARINA, NSW (October 17, 2024): Surfing Australia is thrilled to announce the expansion of our transformative Surf for Life program, thanks to a significant Play Well Participation grant from the Australian Sports Commission. This grant will allow us to increase the reach of our program across six states, offering 420 participants from low socioeconomic or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities the chance to experience surfing, many for the first time, free of charge.

The Surf for Life program aims to foster an inclusive and active community through increased participation in sport. The program offers a free six-week learn-to-surf course to participants, with 70 participants in each state (NSW, QLD, WA, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia). Upon completing the program, each participant will receive an $80 gift voucher to support their continued surfing journey—whether it’s for another surf lesson, equipment hire, or to purchase gear.

In addition to engaging participants, the Surf For Life program will focus on coach and volunteer upskilling. Forty-two coaching qualifications (seven per state) will be offered nationally, enhancing employment opportunities for participants or coaches involved in the program. This educational initiative aims to build capacity in local communities while empowering participants to continue surfing beyond the program.

The grant will cover the costs of:

• A free six-week learn-to-surf program for 420 participants
• An $80 gift voucher for post-program surfing support
• 420 branded rash shirts
• 42 coaching qualifications and access to online coaching content
• Engagement with one male and one female ambassador to promote the program
• Transport options to ensure participants can access beaches, plus a range of additional support to help them continue their surfing journey long after the program ends

Blake Whittaker, Surfing Australia Participation and Programs Manager, said: “We’re so excited about what this program is going to achieve. Thanks to the support from the Australian Sports Commission, we’re breaking down the barriers to sport and giving more people the chance to experience the joy of surfing. It’s not just about getting people in the water—it’s about building connections between participants, surf schools, and the wider surfing community, while promoting healthy and active lifestyles. We can’t wait to see the impact this expansion has across the country.”

PROGRAM DATES:

• Surfing Western Australia
  Program 1: 25 October – 29 November 2024 | Undalup Association
  Program 2: TBC
• Surfing Victoria
  Program 1: 11 October – 15 November 2024 | Stars and Clontarf Foundation
  Program 2: 24 November – 5 December 2024 | Geelong Aboriginal Community
• Surfing Queensland
  Program 1: Term 1, 2025 | Dunwich State School
  Program 2: TBC
• Surfing South Australia
  Program 1: Term 1, 2025 | Clontarf Foundation
  Program 2: TBC
• Surfing Tasmania
  Program 1: 4 January – 25 January 2025 | Surfing Tasmania (in association with the State Government and charity organisations)
  Program 2: 15 March – 5 April 2025 | Surfing Tasmania (in association with the State Government and charity organisations)
• Surfing NSW
  Program 1: 21 October – 25 November 2024 | Clontarf Foundation
  Program 2: TBC

Surf for Life is part of the Surfing Australia Foundation, which supports athletes and community programs. Donations are tax-deductible through the Australian Sports Foundation, and donors can choose specific programs to support.

For more information, please visit Foundation | Surfing Australia and surfforlife.com.au.