Surfing Australia Launches Talent UNLSHD

CASUARINA, 10/02/2026: Surfing Australia has today launched Talent UNLSHD, a new national talent development initiative designed to identify, nurture and elevate the next generation of Australian female surfers, while building a strong and sustainable national female coaching network.

Delivered in collaboration with Surfing Australia’s State Bodies, Talent UNLSHD will support emerging female surfers across U14, U16 and U18 age groups through a structured pathway of regional, state and national development opportunities.

The mission of Talent UNLSHD is twofold: to accelerate the development of pre-emerging female surfing talent across regional Australia, and to empower female coaches through structured development opportunities that strengthen the national high performance pathway.

The program places a strong emphasis on access, alignment and progression, ensuring talented young surfers are supported regardless of geography, while developing a nationwide network of female coaches equipped for long-term success.

Surfing Australia Head of Pathway Programs Luke MacDonald said Talent UNLSHD will play a critical role in the future of women’s surfing in Australia.

“Talent UNLSHD is a huge step forward for women’s surfing in Australia. Surfing Australia, along with our State Bodies, are genuinely excited to work together to provide the next generation of young girls the support they need to develop into high performance surfing athletes.

In addition, Talent UNLSHD will build a strong and sustainable national female coaching network that will have a significant impact on our national surfing pathway for years to come.”

National Development Camps and Strike Missions

At a national level, Surfing Australia will select 12 of the country’s leading pre-emerging female surfers to attend two fully funded National Development Camps. These camps will focus on peer-to-peer learning, technical and tactical coaching, physical preparation, and performance mindset development, with all travel and camp expenses covered.

Following this, a further two athletes will be selected to progress into Stage 2 activities alongside U18 categorised athletes. These opportunities will focus on fast-tracking barrel riding and aerial manoeuvres.

Fourteen-year-old Central Coast surfer Talia Tebb said the program represented a major step forward for young female athletes.

“Talent UNLSHD is going to be a game changer for Australian surfing. The national camps and international strike missions are going to take the next generation of girls to the next level. I’m so stoked to be part of the program — it’s such an incredible opportunity. Let’s go!”

State-Based Delivery Across Regional Australia

Talent UNLSHD is underpinned by a strong state-led delivery model. Each of Surfing Australia’s six State Bodies will run coaching sessions and camps for their top U14, U16 and U18 pre-emerging surfers across selected regional hubs. State organisations will manage their own athlete selection processes, ensuring alignment with local pathways and talent identification systems.

Fourteen regions have been identified nationwide:

1. Sunshine Coast (QLD)
2. Gold Coast (QLD)
3. Byron/Lennox Head (NSW)
4. Coffs Harbour (NSW)
5. Newcastle (NSW)
6. Sydney Northern Beaches (NSW)
7. Southern Beaches/Sutherland Shire (NSW)
8. Illawarra / South Coast (NSW)
9. Mornington Peninsula (VIC)
10. Torquay (VIC)
11. Tasmania – Hobart Region (TAS)
12. South Australia (SA)
13. Southwest WA/Margaret River (WA)
14. Metro WA/Trigg Beach (WA)
 

Three-Tiered Program Structure

Talent UNLSHD will be delivered across three program levels:

Enhance will support 112 U14 and U16 surfers and 14 coaches through regular coaching blocks across 14 regional hubs and regional talent development camps.

Accelerate will provide 90 U14, U16 and U18 surfers and six coaches with additional state team coaching support, preparing athletes and coaches for progression toward national events such as the Australian Titles.

Elevate will focus on 18 surfers and two coaches, including U18 categorised athletes, through multiple national development camps and targeted strike missions.

Gold Coast athlete Charli Hately highlighted the confidence-building impact of the initiative.

“Being a part of the Talent UNLSHD program is such an exciting opportunity for me. To feel supported and be given confidence as a young female in developing barrel riding and aerial skills is a game changer.”

Building a Strong National Female Coaching Network

A core pillar of Talent UNLSHD is coach development. State Bodies will identify and develop female coaches as part of the program, with selected regional coaches given opportunities to coach at national camps and activities.

Each program coach will operate under an Individual Coach Development Plan (ICDP), with tailored support to develop identified skills and prepare them for future national coaching opportunities.
 

Building Momentum for the Future of Women’s Surfing

Riding the momentum of Molly Picklum’s 2025 World Title victory and a massive surge in female participation across the country, Talent UNLSHD arrives at a pivotal moment for Australian surfing. With more girls in the water than ever before — and that number continuing to grow rapidly — the program provides a clear, connected pathway to ensure emerging talent is supported, inspired and given the tools to thrive. By investing in both athletes and coaches, Talent UNLSHD reinforces Surfing Australia’s commitment to building a strong, sustainable future for women’s surfing and ensuring the next generation is ready to take the world stage by storm.

Fifteen-year-old South Coast surfer Lucy Darragh said the opportunity represents an exciting step forward in her development.

“So honoured to have been selected for the Talent UNLSHD Program and having access to experiences and mentorship that will help me grow as an athlete. I’m excited to push my limits, be surrounded by other girls who inspire me and motivate me, get tubed, and get a few ramps!”

About the Surfing Australia High Performance Program

The Surfing Australia High Performance Program (HPP) exists to support Australian athletes to become the world’s best surfers and people. Guided by Surfing Australia’s high performance blueprint, What It Takes to Win, the program delivers a world-class, athlete-focused, coach-supported integrated performance teams designed to develop future champions and sustain long-term success on the global stage.

The program supports athletes across two streams, Pathway and Podium, providing integrated coaching, performance support and competition opportunities for surfers progressing toward the Challenger Series, World Tour, ISA and Olympic Games. Working in close partnership with athletes’ personal support teams, State Bodies and National Institute partners, the SAHPP reflects Surfing Australia’s mission to remain the most dominant surfing nation in the world.

The Australian national surfing team and High Performance Program are proudly supported by the Australian Institute of Sport and the Win Well investment, along with NSWIS and QAS as program partners enabling Surfing Australia to create opportunities like this for our athletes.