Surfing Australia Announces Kate Wilcomes As New National High Performance Director

Surfing Australia is excited to announce Kate Wilcomes as our new National High Performance Director. 

As a former World Surf League (WSL) Women’s World Tour, Kate has been a long-term asset at Surfing Australia as a Talent Pathway Coach and mentor to many of the country’s best surfers. 

You can’t beat experience in the field, something Kate has bucket loads of after travelling the globe competing at some of the world’s best waves, including a massive World Tour win at the Gotcha Tahiti Pro at the infamous Teahupoo. This is the site for the 2024 Olympics so that experience will come in handy for sure.

Over the past two years Kate has co-created and implemented the Surfing Queensland (SQLD) HP Program, led high performance camps, mentored coaches & supported athletes to drive meaningful performance gains.

As a past World Championship Tour (WCT) athlete and event coach, she is uniquely positioned to connect with the demands placed on athletes and their support team both on the road and at home. It is critical for the HPD to understand the individual needs of the surfers and to align with the coaches and support staff on what will provide a competitive edge.

Kate has been preparing for this role for most of her career. With her knowledge and understanding of the international surfing industry and surfing , that spans 30 years – as a WCT athlete, WCT coach, brand ambassador, team manager, business owner, and ASP Board of Director’s member.

Surfing Australia CEO Chris Mater said: “ Surfing Australia couldn’t be more excited to appoint Kate as our new National High-Performance Director. It’s fantastic to have a surfer at the head of our High-Performance program & with the depth of experience that Kate has in high performance. I am excited to see Kate, with our High-Performance team take the current crop of surfers on a path to success in 2021.” 

Seven-time World Champion and Surfing Australia Chair Layne Beachley said: “A former professional WCT surfer to Talent pathway coach, …was destined to fill the role as National High-Performance Director. I’m excited to see her elevated into a position she has been groomed to perform. I have absolute confidence in her ability and leadership to drive the program, and her team to achieve its purpose of creating the world’s best surfers and people. Surfing Australia is very fortunate to have a deeply passionate, committed, purpose-driven leader supporting our athletes to achieve success at the 2021 Olympics and beyond.”