40 accredited female coaches, judges, and officials from around the country came together at Surfing Australia’s Hyundai High Performance Centre for the 2025 RISE Development Camp — a program designed to empower, inspire, connect individuals and strengthen women’s pathways towards leaderships roles in surfing.
The powerful two-day program delivered targeted up-skilling, career development, and connection for women working across key areas of the surf industry.
Funded through the federal government’s Play Our Way initiative, the camp forms part of Surfing Australia RISE — a national program dedicated to creating more accessible and inclusive opportunities for women and girls in surfing.
Over the course of the camp, participants engaged in a mix of structured learning, practical skill-building, and personal development workshops. Sessions included:
- Surf judging deep dives and video analysis to refine skills and decision-making as an elite competitive surfing judge.
- On-beach coaching intensives, where participants developed strategies to better support athlete progression.
- Workshops focused on storytelling, intention setting, and female-specific athlete development, led by experienced facilitators.
- Group discussions, ice baths and recovery sessions to prioritise wellness and longevity in the industry.
The camp created space for accredited women to share experiences, build confidence, and establish lasting professional connections within a supportive network.
Surfing Australia’s Women’s Participation & Development Manager, Shanice Ryder, touched on the goals of the Surfing Australia RISE program:
“RISE is about removing the barriers that have held women and girls back in surfing. We know the talent and passion is there — what’s been missing is equal access to opportunity, support and representation. Through RISE, we’re creating the kind of programs, pathways and culture that allow women to step into their potential and be seen, heard, and valued in every part of the surf industry.”
The initiative directly responds to long-standing barriers faced by women in surfing — from limited representation and unequal pay to a lack of tailored development opportunities. RISE is Surfing Australia’s commitment to breaking those down.
With $1 million in federal funding behind it, Surfing Australia RISE is delivering systemic change. Beyond the camp, the program supports:
- The creation of new women’s boardrider clubs
- Courses for coaches, judges, and officials tailored specifically for women
- Enhanced support within existing clubs
- A broader cultural shift toward equity and representation in surfing
Through RISE, Surfing Australia is equipping women not only to thrive in their current roles — but to lead the future of the sport.
About Surfing Australia RISE:
Surfing Australia was recently awarded $1 million in federal government funding to create new opportunities for women and girls to get involved in surfing.
This inspired the launch of Surfing Australia Rise — a program designed to make surfing more accessible to women and girls nationwide!
Surfing Australia Rise will establish new women’s boardrider clubs, strengthen support for female members in existing clubs, offer judging, coaching, and officials courses tailored specifically for women, and host annual women’s development camps at the Hyundai High Performance Centre. A range of additional initiatives will further enhance opportunities and foster growth for women in surfing at every level.
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