Surfing NSW has launched Talent UNLSHD, a national initiative supporting the development of emerging junior female surfers and coaches, delivered in collaboration with Surfing Australia and States.
The program is being rolled out across New South Wales through Surfing NSW’s LAB Academy, embedding national Talent UNLSHD investment directly into the state’s new talent development pathway.
- Weekly training environments delivered in Far North Coast, Newcastle, Central Coast, Northern Beaches and Southern Beaches providing 90-minute training sessions per term before or after school, and exclusive master classes.
- Targeted regional camps, connecting athletes across key regions to experience the curriculum through immersive two-day development camps on the Mid North Coast and South Coast.
The most recent of these saw eight athletes come together at Boomerang Beach last weekend, marking the first integrated Talent UNLSHD camp within the 2026 rollout.
Boomerang delivered clean 2–3ft conditions across the weekend, creating the perfect environment for progression. Athletes brought high energy and a strong willingness to learn, with coaches noting clear improvements across the group by the final sessions.
Coaches Matt Wilkinson, Duke Kelleher, Kyla Whitfield and Bella Grainger were particularly impressed with the overall level and engagement, with athletes leaving the camp with renewed confidence and excitement to surf.
This momentum continues, with a further eight junior girls participating in activity at Lake Tabourie this weekend.
“We are excited to expand opportunities for the next generation of female surfers and elite coaches through our Talent UNLSHD program, in collaboration with Surfing Australia. Throughout the year, we will provide dedicated junior athletes with in-water training designed to accelerate development, foster peer connections, and build competitive readiness through weekly sessions and camps—all aligning with our LAB Talent Development Pathway.
Additionally, we are thrilled to be developing our talented UNLSHD coaches to ensure long-term sustainability across our high-performance pathway.” – Katherine Smith, Talent Development Manager
Investing in female coaches
A core component of Talent UNLSHD is the development of Surfing NSW’s female coaching network.
Through the program, Surfing NSW is supporting a cohort of regional coaches, including Phillippa Anderson, Kirsty Delport, Tahlia Hirst, Ellie Lambkin, Kyla Whitfield and Bella Grainger who are playing an active role in mentoring junior athletes, delivering sessions and strengthening the long-term coaching pipeline across the state.
This dual focus on athletes and coaches is central to building a sustainable and high-performing pathway.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to mentor and coach the next generation of female surfers. Bringing the girls together to work towards shared goals and learn from each other creates a really strong environment for them to thrive.
It’s also been great for my own development as a coach. Working alongside other female coaches, we understand the group, share ideas and support each other — and that energy flows through to the girls. It’s exciting to see where women’s surfing is heading.” – Bella Grainger
What’s ahead
Talent UNLSHD will continue to roll out across Surfing NSW’s six key regions throughout 2026, delivered through the LAB pathway with a structured calendar of weekly training blocks, regional camps and coach development initiatives.
Surfing NSW is supporting up to 70 identified athletes statewide, alongside the development of a new generation of female coaches through structured training and mentorship.
At a national level, Surfing Australia has already identified a number of NSW athletes within the 2026 Talent UNLSHD National Development Squad, reinforcing the strength of the state’s emerging talent. NSW representatives include Everly Morgan, Alanni Morris, Rubylee Neill, Mali Adam and Nationally Categorised Athletes Talia Tebb, Lucy Darragh and Leihani Zoric.
As LAB continues to embed across the state, the integration of Talent UNLSHD ensures emerging female surfers — and the coaches supporting them — are part of a connected, nationally aligned pathway.
“Surfing Australia’s High Performance Program is excited to roll out Talent UNLSHD alongside Surfing NSW and state bodies across Australia. This initiative will see Surfing NSW deliver regular coaching and camps across 6 regions, designed to identify, nurture and develop the next generation of female surfing talent.
The program not only strengthens regional talent pathways but also supports the development of both athletes and up-and-coming female coaches within the sport.
Seven New South Wales athletes have already been selected as part of the 2026 Talent UNLSHD National Development Squad, showcasing the strength of talent coming through the state.” – Hannah Jessup, Talent UNLSHD Program Manager
