CHANGE IS COMING AND WE’RE EXCITED
Surfing Australia is stoked to secure a massive $1 million in federal funding for the Play Our Way ”RISE” program. Over the next three years, this grant will make club participation and development more accessible for women and girls nationwide.
The funding will enable Surfing Australia, in collaboration with Surfing NSW, to establish:
- New women & girls boardrider clubs
- New women & girls subcommittees for established boardrider clubs
- Opportunities to take on leadership roles with free Judging, Coaching & Officiating courses
- Surfing Australia to host an annual development camp at the High-Performance Centre
- Multiple beach training days across the country
First-year affiliation and insurance are covered.
Contact riseinfo@surfingnsw.com.au for guidance on how to start your club
EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH
JUDGING COURSES
1. Free Surf Judging Courses for Women
Gain accreditation to judge at club, state, or national surf competitions.
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Level 1 Surf Judging Course: Covers the fundamentals of surf judging, scoring, and competition rules.
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Level 2 Professional Judging Course: Designed for those aiming to judge at a higher level, with interactive training on head judging and advanced rules.
COACHING COURSES
2. Free Surf Coaching Courses for Women
Start or progress your career in surf coaching.
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Foundation Coaching Course: Learn to coach beginners safely and effectively.
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Progression Coaching Course: Support intermediate and advanced surfers. Requires 12 months Foundation accreditation
DEVELOPMENT CAMP 2026
3. Women’s Development Camp 2026 – Now Open for Applications
Held at Surfing Australia’s Hyundai High Performance Centre. Fully funded and open to accredited women coaches and judges.
- Applications close: 1st March 2026
- Location: Casuarina, NSW
- Apply here
Apply now to receive your free judging and coaching codes, by emailing riseinfo@surfingnsw.com.au
EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH
Fast-track your coaching practical credentials with the Surf Coach Essentials course, designed by Surfing NSW to streamline annual requirements. This one-day course covers First Aid, CPR, Surf Safety Supervisor training, and includes the Surfers Rescue 24/7 course along with an overview of trauma and spinal injury management. Available as a paid add-on.
OUR FOCUS
LATEST NEWS
40 passionate and driven women from across the country came together at Surfing Australia’s two-day camp to explore pathways in coaching, judging and officiating, supported through the Play Our Way ‘RISE’ program.
The goal? Build skills. Empower. Create career opportunities. Connect. Strengthen the future of women in surfing.
We caught up with NSW representatives attending the camp:
- Anna Pixner: “Surfing became my calm. It’s never too late to start, and everyone deserves to feel welcome in the lineup.”
- Kellie Pati: “When passionate women unite through surfing, they spark powerful change, collaboration, and community growth, both in and out of the water.”
- Kassandra Bertram: “I want to see these programs continue and grow. They’re already making a difference by raising awareness, building confidence, and there’s so much more potential to expand.”
As part of the same Play Our Way grant, six NSW BRC’s were also awarded equipment to grow participation and development opportunities for women and girls:
- Malua BRC
- Evans Head Malibu Club
- Cronulla Girls Boardriders
- Allgirls Surfriders Club
- Port Stephens District Bodyboarding
- Mid North Coast Girls
In tandem with our Heavyweight Rumble, 32 females from our surf community were given the opportunity to:
1. Sharpen their judging skills
2. Become certified
“It’s been such an awesome experience being at the Rumble, shadowing the judges, and seeing firsthand how scoring works across the different stages. Having the chance to learn in this environment, while also contributing to the progression of women in the sport, has been mind-blowingly awesome from Surfing NSW and Surfing Australia,” said Rea Grainger.
“My favourite part was shadowing the judges and scoring waves myself. It was incredible to see how the scale applied between different competitors on the same wave and to learn how to differentiate their scores.”
The women wrapped up an epic day of learning with a session in the pool!
