SUPPORTING OUR 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

OUR TEAM

KATE WILCOMES

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

ERIC HAAKONSSEN

Performance Support & Podium Manager

Contact for:

  • Advice on performance planning
  • Funding
  • Accessing performance support services
CLANCY DAWSON

CLANCY DAWSON

Performance Pathway Manager

Contact for:

  • Pathway Camps
  • Selections/Categorisation
  • Funding
  • Accessing Coaching Support
NAKIA SCHUBERT

NAKIA SCHUBERT

Camps & Competition Manager

Contact for:

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

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

PETE DUNCAN

Performance Pathway Manager

Contact for:

  • Coaching support for TID through to Qualifying Series Athletes
  • Performance Planning
JAY (Bottle) THOMPSON

JAY (Bottle) THOMPSON

Talent Pathway Coach

Contact for:

  • Coaching support for Challenger Series Athletes
  • Breathwork and breath hold training.
  • Performance Planning
CHELSEA HEDGES (QAS)

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)

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)

COHEN CRISPEN (QAS)

Strength & Conditioning Coach

Contact for:

  • In person physical training programs
  • Travel training programs
  • Event preparation (warmups and activations)
PAUL WIEDERSEHN (QAS)

PAUL WIEDERSEHN (QAS)

Physiotherapist

Contact for:

  • Physiotherapy
  • Injury Management and advise
  • Referrals to preferred providers in the network
DR JO PARSONAGE

DR JO PARSONAGE

Research and Innovation Manager

Contact for:

  • Research in surfing and human performance
  • Paddle to Podium Program
  • Physical Performance testing
  • Equipment development and innovation
REUBEN KOOREY (QAS)

REUBEN KOOREY (QAS)

Performance Analysis

Contact for:

  • Performance Data Analysis
  • WCT Athletes personal or competitor data
MICHELLE MITCHELL

MICHELLE MITCHELL

Wellbeing & Engagement Manager (AW&E)

Contact for:

  • Guidance and support around personal and professional development
  • Education guidance
  • Life skills
  • Personal Branding
TOM GREER-SMITH (QAS)

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

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

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)

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)

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)

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)
KERRY KEIGHTLEY (QAS)

KERRY KEIGHTLEY (QAS)

Strength & Conditioning Coach - Sunshine Coast based

Contact for:

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

SIENNA GOSNEY

PhD Scholar Paddle-2-podium (Biomechanics)

APRIL DENNY

APRIL DENNY

PhD Scholar Paddle-2-Podium (Skill Acquisition)

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 64 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:

  1. Network coaches
  2. State bodies
  3. SA HPC coaches
  4. 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

RESOURSCES & POLICIES

Concussion Policy

Margara Puerto Rico 2024 ISA World Surfing Games Selection Policy

Paris 2024 Surfing Nomination Criteria

Medication & Medical Management Policy

Supplements Policy

Anti Doping Policy

Member protection policy

Code of conduct

Conduct and disciplinary policy

Reviews and appeals policy

Athlete categorisation framework​

National High Performance Program Athlete Agreement

National Para Team Selection Criteria

National Junior Team Selection Criteria

Australian National Longboard Surfing Team Selection Policy

Australian National Stand Up Paddle & Paddleboard Surfing Team Selection Policy

Talent ID Camp Selection Criteria 2022

Limitless Selections Criteria

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