The New Season of NRMA Insurance SurfGroms Launches for 2026/27

NRMA Insurance SurfGroms launches for the spring holidays, encouraging kids to have a go and see where surfing can take them.

Spring is calling kids to the water, with the 2026/27 NRMA Insurance SurfGroms season launching across the spring school holidays, encouraging families to get outside, have a go and start something new.

The season kicked off with local Bombora Surf School coaches and a group of young groms joined by 2x ISA World Champion and WSL World Junior Champion Dane Henry, returning to where the journey begins for so many young surfers — learning the fundamentals, having fun and building confidence in the ocean.

NRMA Insurance SurfGroms is Surfing Australia’s national learn-to-surf program for children aged 5–12, delivered through Surfing Australia’s network of accredited surf schools and Sporting Schools. The program is designed to help kids develop fundamental surfing skills and ocean awareness in a fun and supportive environment, while giving them the confidence to enjoy the water.

Have a go. See where it takes you.

The new NRMA Insurance SurfGroms season is all about encouraging kids to have a go, try something new, have fun and enjoy the journey.

Surfing is a sport that can start with a single wave and take you anywhere. NRMA Insurance SurfGroms gives kids the opportunity to discover surfing in a fun, structured and supportive environment — whether they’re stepping on a board for the very first time or looking to build on the skills they already have.

The spring launch was just the beginning, with NRMA Insurance SurfGroms taking the fun of surfing to new audiences throughout the opening weeks of the season.

At the Australian Boardriders Battle NSW Qualifier at Curl Curl Beach, the NRMA Insurance SurfGroms Wave was bringing the fun with Waboba, giving families another way to experience the joy of surfing on the beach.

The Wave also headed to URBNSURF, connecting with non-coastal families in metropolitan communities, including families from diverse cultural and international backgrounds, and creating an opportunity for more kids to discover surfing closer to home.

Since launching in 2011, NRMA Insurance SurfGroms has introduced more than 100,000 children to surfing, with more than 10,000 kids expected to take part across Australia this season.

At the heart of the program is a simple purpose: helping groms feel safe and confident in the ocean.

Through progressive surf skills, ocean awareness and guidance from accredited coaches, kids can build confidence both on the board and in the water, while developing skills that extend well beyond surfing.

Surfing Australia CEO Chris Symington said:

“Surfing Australia is passionate about sharing the stoke of surfing with the next generation and giving every child the opportunity to experience the joy of catching a wave. The NRMA Insurance SurfGroms program provides a national standard for learning to surf, giving kids the fundamental skills, knowledge and ocean awareness they need to feel safe and confident in the water. Most importantly, it’s about having fun, building confidence and creating a love of surfing that can stay with them for life”

Where surfing can take you

For some kids, surfing starts as a fun day at the beach. For others, it can become a lifelong passion, opening doors to new experiences, communities and opportunities around the world.

NRMA Insurance SurfGroms provides the foundations for that journey, introducing kids to the fundamental skills, ocean awareness and confidence they need to keep progressing in the sport.

For Dane Henry, that journey started just like it does for thousands of Australian kids — learning to surf as a grom, having fun in the water and developing a love for the sport..

Today, Dane is a 2x ISA World Champion and WSL World Junior Champion, with his own journey demonstrating just how far that first experience can take you.

Dane Henry said:

“Learning to surf at a young age is so important. You make new friends, learn ocean awareness and build confidence in the water from an early age. As a kid, surfing was the best thing for me — I made mates all around the world and it took me to places I never thought or imagined I’d go.

It all starts in your local community and just getting out there and having a go. I loved SurfGroms when I was younger, and all my mates were doing it too. It means a lot to me to be able to give my time back to the younger generation and be part of the launch today. It’s a real full-circle moment for me.”

A partnership built on helping communities

NRMA Insurance is proud to partner with Surfing Australia as the Platinum Partner of SurfGroms, supporting grassroots participation and helping create more opportunities for young people to experience surfing.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to helping people, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for the next generation.

Bombora Surf School said:

“It was so exciting to be part of the NRMA Insurance SurfGroms launch and get new groms out in the water. There’s nothing better than seeing kids catch their first waves, build confidence and discover the joy of surfing. We loved getting everyone paddling, popping up and having fun in the ocean, and sharing that experience with the next generation.”

NRMA Insurance SurfGroms is presented by Rip Curl and proudly supported by Ford Australia, Babybel, FujiFilm Photos, Cooee Toys, We Are Feel Good Inc, the Australian Sports Commission and Surfers For Climate.

About NRMA Insurance SurfGroms
NRMA Insurance SurfGroms is Surfing Australia’s national junior development program, designed for kids aged 5–12. The program teaches fundamental surfing skills, surf safety, and ocean awareness in a fun and supportive environment. Since its inception in 2011, SurfGroms has introduced more than 100,000 kids to surfing and is regarded as the leading learn-to-surf program for children in Australia.

About Surfing Australia:
Surfing Australia is the governing body for surfing in Australia, committed to developing and promoting the sport at all levels. From grassroots participation programs to elite performance pathways & Olympic Games, we strive to inspire and engage surfers across the country. Our purpose is to create a healthier and happier Australia through surfing. Visit surfingaustralia.com to learn more about our history, our strategic pillars and what we deliver to Australia’s surfing community.

About NRMA Insurance: A Help Company  
A Help Company NRMA Insurance is Australia’s most trusted insurance brand*, helping more than 3 million Australians protect what matters. Help has been at the heart of NRMA Insurance since its beginnings in 1925 as a member-only company that provided motor insurance policies to the first drivers in NSW. NRMA Insurance has grown to become a national brand that helps people protect their cars, homes and businesses. It has a proud history of working with communities to build their resilience against extreme weather and keep people safer on the road. NRMA Insurance helps Australians understand their local risks and prepare for extreme weather through its Help Nation initiative.   

NRMA Insurance is backed by IAG, Australia and New Zealand’s largest general insurer.    

*Roy Morgan Most Trusted Brands 2025