Forty female athletes and coaches from six regions across New South Wales came together in Sydney last weekend as part of Talent UNLSHD, a national development program designed to support the next generation of female surfers and coaches.
Across two days, athletes took part in surf sessions, video analysis, goal-setting workshops, coaching feedback and group discussions, while a group of emerging female coaches developed alongside them, building the skills and experience needed to help shape the future of the sport.
That dual purpose sits at the heart of Talent UNLSHD.
Develop athletes.
Develop coaches.
Create stronger pathways for women in surfing.
Saturday saw the group head to URBNSURF Sydney, where three private sessions gave athletes something rarely available in surfing: repetition.
The chance to attempt a manoeuvre, receive immediate feedback from coaches and then paddle straight back out to try it again on the very next wave.
Barrels were made. Airs were attempted. And with every session, the level continued to rise.
Female athlete, Victory Ivory summed it up by saying.
“I got a doozy barrel on my last one. We had Talia showing us airs. The surf was so good. All the girls are stoked.”
For coach Arabella Tarpey, the opportunity being created for the athletes is something she wishes existed when she was younger.
“Having this opportunity as a kid would have been unreal,” Tarpey said.
“Being from a small town and meeting girls from all over New South Wales is so incredible. They get to meet each other here, then see each other again at competitions and continue those friendships.”
That sense of connection was hard to miss throughout the weekend.
Girls from different regions shared meals, compared notes, celebrated each other’s progression and built relationships that will likely continue long after camp has finished.
“The waves are perfect and consistent. You can focus on one skill, get immediate feedback and then go straight back out and try it again,” Grainger said.
The progression is obvious. So is the excitement. But perhaps the most important outcome isn’t measured through scores or results. It’s confidence. Confidence in the water. Confidence in coaching. Confidence in belonging within the sport.
Talent Development Officer Ryan Haworth believes that’s what makes the program so valuable.
“The biggest takeaway for me is bringing all these girls together in one place,” Haworth said.
“They get to make friends, build confidence, hone their skills and learn from amazing coaches. At the same time, we’re helping develop the next generation of female coaches too. It’s two for one.”
Coach Kirsty Delport may have had the line of the weekend.
“None of them can even drive yet, but they can all certainly drive off the bottom.”
As participation in women’s surfing continues to grow across Australia, programs like Talent UNLSHD are helping ensure the pathway grows alongside it.
Not just for the athletes chasing their dreams today.
But for the coaches, mentors and leaders who will help guide the generations that follow.
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