Surfing Australia

Girls Strike Mission – Rising Australian Surfers Charge G-Land

What happens when you drop three of Australia's top upcoming girls into one of the heaviest left-handers on the planet?

You get commitment. You get wipeouts. You get breakthroughs.

Australia’s top emerging female surfers took on one of the world’s most powerful reef breaks in this all-girls strike mission to G-Land, Indonesia — led by former World Champion and Surfing Australia High Performance Coach, Chelsea Hedges.

Follow Charli Hatley, Ziggy Mackenzie, and Isi Campbell as they step into serious surf, sharpen their skills, and push their personal limits in one of the most challenging environments on the planet.

With locations like Pipeline, Cloudbreak, and Teahupo’o now part of the modern women’s tour, exposure to heavy, technical waves is no longer optional — it’s essential. G-Land provided the ideal setting to work on critical elements like backhand tube riding, positioning, and commitment.

#SurfingAustralia #BestSurfers #BestPeople #SharingTheStoke #FemaleSurfing #Irukandjis

2025 Parko's Junior Pro presented by Campbell Construction Co ran as a 10,000 point junior event.

The six day event showcased Australia’s best junior surfing talent on the Sunshine Coast.

Days 1-5 ran in peaky conditions at Ann St and Finals Day saw the Juniors take on the point break waves of Moffats.

Congratulations to all of our Junior Champions and we can't wait to run it again next year!

Parko’s Junior Pro pres. by Campbell Construction Co is part of the 2025 Surfing Australia Junior Series and was live streamed on YouTube via Surfing Australia TV.

#ParkosJuniorPro #SunshineCoast #QLD #Junior #Surfing #Queensland

Inside Morgan Cibilic’s Pre-Season: Gearing up for the Challenger Series

Morgs gives us a look into his 2025 Challenger Series pre-season — putting in the work with Nathan Hedge, Glen Workman and the Surfing Australia High Performance team, chasing swells, testing boards, conditioning and sharpening every part of his surfing.

That work is already paying off. A win at the Rip Curl Trials earned him a spot in the main CT at Bells Beach, where he delivered big performances and took down some of the event’s top names, delivering a clear statement that he’s ready to be back on tour.

With the 2025 Challenger Series about to kick off, Morgan’s got one goal in mind.
The work’s showing. The form’s real. 2026 qualification is within reach.

#HPP #SurfingAustralia #WSL #MorganCibilic

2025 Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles Pres by Rip Curl - Day 3

Day 3 of the 2025 Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles presented by Rip Curl delivered a stunning finish at Djarrak (Bells Beach), with champions crowned across all divisions in a day full of powerful performances, spectacular moments, and community celebration.

2025 Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles Pres by Rip Curl - Day 2

Day 2 of the 2025 Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles presented by Rip Curl brought a step-up in swell and a stacked schedule of high-performance surfing. Clean 3–5 foot sets rolled through Djarrak, groomed by crystal-clear offshore winds, creating a picture-perfect canvas for competitors to showcase their best.

The Open Men’s division capitalised on the prime conditions, with heats running through to the semi-finals. Continuing his momentum from Day 1, Finn Hill (Avoca Beach, NSW) again emerged as a standout performer. In his semi-final heat, Hill opened strong with a flurry of carving manoeuvres, earning a 6.83-point ride. Victorian local Jordie Campbell (Torquay, VIC) responded with a sharp 6.90-point ride for a series of precise backhand hits in the bowl.

Hill wasn’t done. With confidence and control, he laid hard on the rail and sent spray sky-high on his next scoring wave, a 7.67-point ride, securing his spot in the Open Men’s final. Campbell followed suit with his own solid performance, earning his place in the final alongside Landen Smales (Noosa Heads, QLD) and Russ Malony (Central Coast, NSW).

“This comp has been incredible. We have 4-foot clean waves, and surfing out there with three other guys is just as good as it gets,” exclaimed Hill.

“Bells Beach is such a beautiful and spiritual place for me, as my ancestors come from Wadawurrung Country,” he added.

“To surf that heat against Jordie, who I’ve known for a long time, is incredible as well!”

The Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles is presented by Rip Curl and Headsox and supported by the Victorian Government, Surf Coast Events, VicHealth, Surfing Australia, Play it Safe by the Water, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, Indigo- Print, Jessi Rebel Art, Cancer Council Sunscreen, Feed Me Surf Coast and Surf Better Now.

2025 Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles Pres by Rip Curl - Day 1

Day 1 of the 2025 Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles presented by Rip Curl kicked off spectacularly at Djarrak (Bells Beach), blending cultural celebration with elite surfing in ideal conditions.

The morning began with a moving Opening Ceremony led by Corrina Eccles, setting a powerful tone for the weekend. Her words and presence grounded the event in deep respect for country and culture, instantly bringing everyone together as one. The ocean responded in kind, turning on a dream canvas for competitors. Clean 3–4 foot sets rolled into the famous Djarrak as the Open Men’s division hit the water to launch the first heats of the day.

Finn Hill (Avoca Beach, NSW) wasted no time making his mark. With a fierce combination of power carves and committed snaps, he posted one of the highest scores of the morning, an 8.83-point ride that showcased his explosive style and control.

Victorian locals Jordie Campbell (Torquay, VIC) and Joe Murray (Torquay, VIC) made the most of their home advantage in a stacked heat alongside Maddox Cohen (Macmasters Beach, NSW) and Zachary Molony (Killarney Vale, NSW).

The Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles is presented by Rip Curl and Headsox and supported by the Victorian Government, Surf Coast Events, VicHealth, Surfing Australia, Play it Safe by the Water, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, Indigo- Print, Jessi Rebel Art, Cancer Council Sunscreen, Feed Me Surf Coast and Surf Better Now.

Could sprint paddle training be the winning edge for Australian elite surfers in the future?

In 2020, Surfing Australia launched the Paddle2Podium (P2P) project to maximise sprint paddle performance for female athletes in challenging wave conditions.

This innovative program was pivotal in preparing our athletes for the Paris Olympics and has the potential to elevate the performance of all surfers within Surfing Australia’s talent pathway.

This project’s success was built on the strong collaboration between the Australian Institute of Sport, Queensland Academy of Sport, Griffith University, and Surfing Australia.

We sat down with Joanna Parsonage, Surfing Australia’s former Research and Innovation Manager, to learn more about this groundbreaking initiative.

Here's all the winners from the 2024 Australia Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame

Luke Egan’s induction into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame headlined a spectacular celebration of Australian surfing talent at HOTA, Home of the Arts, on the Gold Coast tonight. The Newcastle native and former World Tour surfer was honoured for his remarkable 22-year career on the ASP/World Surf League Championship Tour, which included four event wins and a runner-up finish in the 2000 World Title race. Egan was presented the award by good friend Matt Hoy and joined by fellow legends Joel Parkinson, Mark “Occy” Occhilupo, and Mark Richards for a sit-down interview, where he reflected on his career and expressed gratitude for being recognised alongside his heroes.

The night also celebrated Australia’s elite surfing achievements, with Olympians and World Tour surfers Jack Robinson and Molly Picklum named Male and Female Surfer of the Year, respectively. Dane Henry received the Mick Fanning Rising Star Award, while Sierra Kerr was honoured with the Stephanie Gilmore Rising Star Award. Jocelyn Neumueller and Kai Colless were recognised as the Female and Male Para Surfers of the Year, respectively.

Surfing legend Layne Beachley was honoured with Surfing Australia Life Membership for her extraordinary contributions to the sport. A seven-time World Champion and the only surfer to win six consecutive titles, Beachley’s legacy extends beyond competition. As former Chair of Surfing Australia and a long-time advocate for women’s surfing, she championed pay equity, improved events, and greater opportunities for future generations.

Tasmanian photographer Nick Green captured big wave surfer Laura Enever during “one of the gnarliest wipeouts” at Shipstern Bluff to win Surf Photo of the Year. Soli Baileytook home the Heavy Water Award and, along with Chris Peel, won Surf Clip of the Year. The Surf Film of the Year was awarded to Jay Phillips Isn’t Dead.

Jordie Campbell was awarded the Indigenous Surfing Community Celebration Award. The Greater Good Award went to the Surfrider Foundation, Breakthrough Surf Brand of the Year was Rivvia Projects, and Shaper of the Year went to Darren Handley.

Renowned surf media icon Vaughan Blakey hosted the event, which recognised the outstanding achievements of athletes and contributors across 20 award categories. Held for the first time at the iconic HOTA, Home of the Arts, on the Gold Coast, the awards celebrated not only surfing champions but also individuals excelling in media, business, and innovation, highlighting the depth of talent and dedication within Australian surfing.

The Australian Surfing Awards is proudly supported by ACCIONA, Jim Beam, Tracks, Surfers for Climate, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS), Zuum Energy Gum, Hyundai She’s Electric, the Hyundai High-Performance Centre (HPC), and Surfing Australia High-Performance Program.

Luke Egan and Friends at the Australian Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame

Listen to the panel discussion hosted by Vaughan Blakey featuring 2024 Australian Surfing Hall of Fame inductee Luke Egan with Matt Hoy, Mark Richards, Joel Parkinson & Mark "Occy" Occhilupo.

This is the raw chat from the 2024 Australian Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame, where Luke Egan was officially inducted on December 7th 2024

Ethan Ewing's first time at Abu Dhabi Wave Pool

Wondered what 6 minutes with Ethan Ewing in a pool look like?
Ewing’s first session at the Abu Dhabi wave pool is everything you’d expect from one of surfing’s most stylish operators. Dialing in new equipment with shaper DHD, he turned six minutes into a masterclass in smooth surfing, preparing for the 2025 season.

This glimpse has us counting down to what he’ll bring next year.

#HighPerformanceProgram #SurfingAustralia #BestSurfers #BestPeople #SurfingAustralia #SurfAbuDhabi

Credits: Surfing Australia