GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND, (Thursday 19, 2023) – Surfing Queensland today launched a fresh community focused initiative, ‘Surf Sisters’, to break down participation barriers for women in surfing by providing more opportunities for women aged 18+ and encouraging their involvement in the sport of surfing.
The program, supported by Rip Curl and the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport, is set to launch in early February 2023. Surf Sisters will provide a pathway for 1600+ women into the sport as we deliver the program in collaboration with our network of boardrider clubs across Queensland.
Surf Sisters aims to encourage and promote inclusiveness and self-confidence as it offers participants the opportunity to get involved in up to 12 free surf coaching lessons in an environment with other women of similar skill levels. Participants will also have access to online surf coaching tutorials by Surf Better Now and an organic pathway into boardrider club activities and social competitions where they’re able to continue developing their skills in surfing.
Surfing Queensland’s Sport Development Manager, Jarrod Davis, said the initiative is an exciting development for surfing in Queensland.
“Providing women with free surf coaching, online coaching tutorials and an organic pathway into boardrider clubs will encourage more women to participate in surfing and ultimately promote inclusiveness in our great sport.”
Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport Minister, Stirling Hinchliffe saidthe Queensland Government’s ActiveKIT program was onboard to support Surf Sisters.
“Surfing Queensland’s Surf Sisters initiative is one of 25 projects backed by the second round of ActiveKIT to encourage more Queenslanders to stay active and healthy,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“It’s terrific to see Surfing Queensland build a program to help women stay connected and active in their community while learning how to catch gnarly barrels.
“The ActiveKIT initiative is about using knowledge, innovation and technology to make it easier for Queenslanders to be involved in regular active recreation for better physical and mental health.
“Healthy and active Queenslanders are part of the legacy we want to achieve from the green and gold runway to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Surfing Queensland will deliver Surf Sisters across Queensland’s major surfing regions in 2023.
For further details on the Surf Sisters program, please follow Surfing Queensland on social media and visit www.surfingqueensland.com.au
Media Contact
Lucy Callister | Media & Communications Manager | 0468 430 759 | comms@surfingqueensland.com.au