SUPPORTING AUSTRALIAN ATHLETES TO BECOME THE WORLD’S BEST SURFERS AND PEOPLE
We will be famous for being The Dominant Surfing Nation
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.
AUTHENTIC
We keep true to the essence of Surfing. We respect culture and history, the unique ways of surfing, our individual experiences, and passion.
ELITE
We are the most elite program in the world both in and out of the water. We showcase the highest level of performance.
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
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
PAULA CHARLTON
Performance Support Manager
Contact for:
- Advice on performance planning
- National Institute Network Support
- Accessing performance support services
DION ATKINSON
Head of Podium Program
Contact for:
- Olympic, WCT and CS Activity
- Athlete Funding
LUKE MACDONALD
Head of Pathway Program
Contact for:
- TID through to Qualifying Series Activity
- Athlete Funding
PETE DUNCAN
Talent Pathway Coach
Contact for:
- Coaching support for TID through to Qualifying Series Athletes
- Performance Planning
CHELSEA HEDGES
Talent Pathway Coach
Contact for:
- Coaching support for TID through to Challenger Series Athletes (Including Pro Juniors and Qualifying Series)
- Performance Planning
JAY (Bottle) THOMPSON
Podium Coach
Contact for:
- Coaching support for Challenger Series Athletes
- Breathwork and breath hold training.
- Performance Planning
NATHAN HEDGE
High Performance Coach (Gen32)
Contact for:
- Coaching support for WCT & CS Athletes
- Performance Planning
AMEE DONOHOE
High Performance Coach (Gen32)
Contact for:
- Coaching support for WCT & CS Athletes
- Performance Planning
NAKIA SCHUBERT
High Performance Operational Lead
Contact for:
- Support with logistics (flights, accommodation & planning)
- Camps & Competitions including ISA’s and Olympics
HANNAH JESSUP
Talent UNLSHD Program Manager
Contact for:
- Questions, concerns and information on the Talent UNLSHD Women & Girls Program
GLEN WORKMAN (QAS)
Lead Physical Preparation Provider
Contact for:
- In person physical training programs
- Travel training programs
- Event preparation (warmups and activations)
MICHELLE MITCHELL
Wellbeing & Engagement Manager (AW&E)
Contact for:
- Guidance and support around personal and professional development
- Education guidance
- Life skills
- Personal Branding
KATE NIEDERER
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
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
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
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
HUNTER VERCOE
Pathway Filmer
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
ELLIE BROOKS
Operational Co-ordinator
Contact for:
- Logistics and operational support for the high performance Program, including improving program efficiencies and rolling our policies and compliance requirements
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 2026 there will be 45 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.
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
RESOURCES & POLICIES
Surfing Australia Selection Criteria
Concussion Policy
Medication & Medical Management Policy
Sports Food and Supplements Policy
Anti Doping Policy
Member protection policy
Code of conduct
Reviews and appeals policy
Athlete Categorisation Framework
2026 ISA competition information
ISA World Junior Surfing Games
Update the team – announced on socials
Under 18’s – female
Stella Green
Meika Locke
Leihani Zoric
Under 18’s – male
Ben Zannata
Caden Francis
Ocean Lancaster
Under 16’s – female
Lucy Darragh
Talia Tebb
Eliza Richardson
Under 16’s – male
Ashton Crowley
Locana Cullen
Rio Luther Barr
TBA on Date + Location Team
PARA SURF STAND 1 (PS-S1) – MALE
Craig McFadden
PARA SURF STAND 2 (PS-S2) – MALE
Lachlan James
PARA SURF STAND 3 (PS-S3) – MALE
Terry McGrath
PARA SURF KNEEL (PS-K) – MALE
Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart
PARA SURF KNEEL (PS-K) – FEMALE
Em Dieters
PARA SURF PRONE 1 (PS-P1) – MALE
Joel Taylor
PARA SURF PRONE 1 (PS-P1) – MALE
Kai Colless
PARA SURF PRONE 1 (PS-P1) – FEMALE
Grace Kennedy
PARA SURF PRONE 2 (PS-P2) – MALE
Cliff Gralton
PARA SURF PRONE 2 (PS-P2) – FEMALE
Annie Goldsmith
PARA SURF PRONE 2 (PS-P2) – FEMALE
Jocelyn Neumueller
PARA SURF VI 1 (PS-VI1) – MALE
Steve Fox
PARA SURF VI 2 (PS-VI2) – MALE
Finn Banks
Participation
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