SUPPORTING AUSTRALIAN ATHLETES TO BECOME THE WORLD’S BEST SURFERS AND PEOPLE

We will be famous for being The Dominant Surfing Nation

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LIMITLESS

Thinking outside boundaries, bringing new knowledge and the application to give our surfers an edge. We are the best in class, showcasing innovation in training, resources, coaching and performance. We promote creativity, exploration and taking risks while being supported.

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AUTHENTIC

We keep true to the essence of Surfing. We respect culture and history, the unique ways of surfing, our individual experiences, and passion.

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ELITE

We are the most elite program in the world both in and out of the water. We showcase the highest level of performance.

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FUN

Having a good time while we get it done. We have humour and personality and tell stories that inspire.

STRATEGY

Athlete Centred, Coach Supported, Performance Focused, Integrated Performance Team

VIEW HERE

OUR TEAM

KATE WILCOMES

National High Performance Director

Contact for:

Information on the High Performance strategy
Athlete agreements
Athlete categorisation
Olympics & Program activity
Concerns or feedback regarding the HPP Program

ERIC HAAKONSSEN

Performance Support & Podium Manager

Contact for:

Advice on performance planning
Athlete Funding
National Institute Network Support
Accessing performance support services

CLANCY DAWSON

Performance Pathway Manager

Contact for:

Pathway Camps
Selections/Categorisation
Funding
Accessing Coaching Support

NAKIA SCHUBERT

Camps & Competition Manager

Contact for:

Support with logistics (flights, accommodation & planning)
Camps & Competitions including ISA’s and Olympics

HANNAH JESSUP

EA to National High Performance Director

Contact for:

Questions, concerns and information on the HPP program as a backup to Kate Wilcomes

PETE DUNCAN

Performance Pathway Manager

Contact for:

Coaching support for TID through to Qualifying Series Athletes
Performance Planning

JAY (Bottle) THOMPSON

Talent Pathway Coach

Contact for:

Coaching support for Challenger Series Athletes
Breathwork and breath hold training.
Performance Planning

CHELSEA HEDGES (QAS)

Talent Pathway Coach

Contact for:

Coaching support for TID through to Challenger Series Athletes (Including Pro Juniors and Qualifying Series)
Performance Planning

GLEN WORKMAN (QAS)

Lead Physical Preparation Provider

Contact for:

In person physical training programs
Travel training programs
Event preparation (warmups and activations)

COHEN CRISPEN (QAS)

Strength & Conditioning Coach

Contact for:

In person physical training programs
Travel training programs
Event preparation (warmups and activations)

PAUL WIEDERSEHN (QAS)

Physiotherapist

Contact for:

Physiotherapy
Injury Management and advise
Referrals to preferred providers in the network

TOM GREER-SMITH (QAS)

Pathway Psychologist

Contact for:

Guidance and support around optimising mental performance in and out of the water
Mental Performance in Competition (MPC) programs aimed at equipping athletes with mental skills to better navigate competitive environments
Access to the mental health referral network to provide support to categorised athletes with mental health challenges

REUBEN KOOREY (QAS)

Performance Analysis

Contact for:

Performance Data Analysis
WCT Athletes personal or competitor data

MICHELLE MITCHELL

Wellbeing & Engagement Manager (AW&E)

Contact for:

Guidance and support around personal and professional development
Education guidance
Life skills
Personal Branding

DR JOHN WARD (QAS)

Chief Medical Officer

Contact for:

General Practitioner and Sports Physician
Medical Screening
Treatment of illness and injury
Referrals for tests, imaging and specialist consultation
Available in person at HPC or via telehealth for interstate athletes

JASON PATCHELL

Podium Psychologist

Contact for:

Guidance and support around optimising mental performance in and out of the water
Access to the mental health referral network to provide support to categorised athletes with mental health challenges

OWEN MILNE

High Performance Videographer

Contact for:

Capturing media that tells the stories of the program, our team and the athletes in the program
Assisting Coaches to work more efficiently to achieve athlete goals

KERRY KEIGHTLEY (QAS)

Strength & Conditioning Coach - Sunshine Coast based

Contact for:

In person physical training programs
Travel training programs
Event preparation (warmups and activations)

KERRY O’BRYAN (QAS)

Sports Dietitian

Contact for:

Support in optimising your diet to support training, enhance performance and stay healthy
Provide guidance and education around real food solutions
Supplement use for training, travel and competitions

RENIA KORVIN (QAS)

Strength & Conditioning Coach - HPC/Gold Coast based

Contact for:

In person physical training programs
Travel training programs
Event preparation (warmups and activations)

APRIL DENNY

PhD Scholar Paddle-2-Podium (Skill Acquisition)

SIENNA GOSNEY

PhD Scholar Paddle-2-podium (Biomechanics)

Contact our team

THE PROGRAM

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Surfing Australia’s National High Performance Program (SA HPP) supports our Australian athletes to become world’s best surfers and people, through:

World-class sports programming
Coaching
Camps
Performance support services
Research & Innovation
Event support

CATEGORISATION

In 2024 there will be 62 Nationally Categorised Athletes within the Surfing Australia High Performance Program. This changes year to year depending on the number of athletes that meet the Selection Criteria.

An overarching theme is to categorise athletes who are on the Pathway to World Tour or Olympic success.

HPP adopts the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) ‘Athlete Categories’ which have been developed to enable support to elite Australian athletes to pursue a commitment to performance, along their pathway to benchmark events. These categories are: Emerging, Developing, Potential, Podium Ready and Podium.

Each year October – November, identified athletes are nominated through:

Network coaches
State bodies
SA HPC coaches
SA HPP coaches

The above stakeholders can nominate athletes by contacting the HPP Pathway Manager and providing supporting information.

Categorised Athletes are selected by a Panel and approved by the AIS each calendar year.

If an athlete has not been selected, it is because they are still at a state level. Coaches can guide state pathway athletes on key focus areas to support a nomination the following year.

ATHLETE SUPPORT

The support provided to categorised athletes is individualised and may include surf coaching, strength & conditioning, physiotherapy, psychology and nutrition to name a few.

All athletes develop an Individual Performance Plan (IPP) which sets out their goals and plans to achieve these each calendar year. Athletes are expected to provide regular updates on the progress of their IPP and are empowered to seek the support required to achieve their goals.

Athlete may receive support aimed at gaining experience in different wave profiles by funding strike missions or expenses that support their IPP.

Categorised athletes are expected to participate in training and competition activities as set out in their IPP, maintain fitness levels as required to achieve elite performance at Benchmark Events, and demonstrate consistency and self-discipline in and out of training sessions. Selected athletes must adhere to Surfing Australian codes of conduct and policies as set out in the current Athlete Agreement.