THE SURFING QUEENSLAND COMMUNITY FUND
The Surfing Queensland Community Fund exists to support vulnerable and at-risk Queenslanders through the sport of surfing. It endeavours to make surfing accessible for all members of the community and make a tangible difference to the outcomes for surfing, its participants and athletes.
The Surfing Queensland Community Fund enables long-time surfers and those passionate about the sport to donate. These funds will be directed to create and fund life-changing surfing programs and projects.
These programs are aimed at supporting vulnerable Queenslanders, including but not limited to:
– People with disabilities – impaired intellectual or physical functioning
– People from low socio-economic backgrounds
– People who are Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander
– At-risk community members
SURFING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
Although it may seem that surfing is accessible for everyone, this isn’t the case. For many vulnerable members of society, surf safety and access to equipment is not something that is available to them.
The Surfing Queensland Community Fund creates programs to enable a broader connection between members of the community and access to surfing which will positively impact mental and physical health and inclusiveness.
COMMUNITY FUND PROGRAMS 2021
JALLUM JARJUMS ‘FISH KIDS’ PROGRAM
Jallum Jarjums is a surfing program designed for indigenous youth. The program aims to:
– Preserve and support indigenous culture.
– Provide education and employment – Level 1 coaching accreditation and ongoing employment opportunities through Surfing Queensland affiliated surf schools.
– Foster healthy lives through the programs participation initiatives.
– Engage with 120 participants throughout the four-day program.
– Provide a commitment to employment ready training for six individuals.
SURFERS RESCUE 24/7
Furthermore, surfers play a vital role in protecting the lives of ocean goers as they often present as first responders in emergency situations. Armed with an intrinsic knowledge of the ocean as well as possessing a personal flotation device, surfers form a frontline defence against drowning related deaths as demonstrated by a study from Anna Attard, School
of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Australia.
The Surfers Rescue 24/7 program is designed to train recreational surfers in surf rescue and CPR techniques to arm them with the skills required to save lives on Queensland beaches. Additionally, the program will partner with local universities to undertake further studies into the role that surfers play in saving lives. The program aims to:
– Provide skills and technique training as well as CPR training to 1,500 recreational surfers to utilise recreational surfing equipment in emergency situations.
– Sample 1,000 participants in a survey to ascertain the frequency of which recreational surfers are performing rescues.
– Develop a reporting platform designed to track rescues by recreational surfers.
HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Donate to the Surfing Queensland Community Fund and support vulnerable members of the community through the sport of surfing.
Your donation can be made through the Australian Sports Foundation and you will recieve a tax-deductible gift receipt.