We’ve been watching it take shape for months and, late last week, the $4 million Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre (HPC) was officially opened at Casuarina.
Surfing’s equivalent of the Australian Institute of Sport (and designed in conjunction with the AIS), the new facility is aimed at training young surfers to one day become world champions.
And let’s face it, where better than on the Tweed Coast just a kilometre or two from where the past two Australian world champions, Coolangatta’s Mick Fanning and Kingscliff’s Stephanie Gilmore cut their teeth as grommets.
And to open such a centre. it was a “who’s who” of the surfing (and political) world, with self-confessed surf nut – Deputy Prime Minister/ Treasurer Wayne Swan and Federal member for Richmond Justine Elliot and Mayor Barry Longland bumping shoulders with former world champions Layne Beachley, Mark Richards, Barton Lynch and our very own local legend, Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew.
What does it mean for the Coast? Well, funded by the Federal Government, the HPC is the world’s first facility dedicated to the development of elite surfers and coaches. The cutting edge facility will ensure Australia maintains its place as a world leader in the sport.
Justine Elliott said the local surfing community will benefit greatly through the state of the art training and educational facilities; and the increased economic benefits that the Surfing Australia’s High Performance Centre will bring will benefit local businesses.
“Australia is one of the most successful surfing nations and investments like this will help maintain that legacy,” said Justine.
“A facility like this ensures the whole spectrum of professional surfing is catered for, from juniors right through to current world champions, to utilise the amazing facilities and training on offer.”
The two-level centre of excellence will boast state of the art education facilities, equipment and accommodation and will be at the forefront of sports science and coaching development for surfing.
Treasurer Swan, who admitted he bought a Wayne Deane board last time he was here, was a little in awe as he joined former surfing world champions Layne Beachley, Mark Richards, Wayne Bartholomew and Barton Lynch at the opening.
“Having spent my summers surfing the breaks along this part of the coast, it’s a huge pleasure for me to be here with some of our all-time surfing legends as well as Justine Elliot to open this fantastic facility,” the former Sunshine Coast surfer, Treasurer Swan said.
“While funded by the Federal Labor Government, it’s also taken the vision and foresight of Surfing Australia to make this happen.
“A world first, it brings a new wave of opportunities for, not only Australian surfing, but also for the local economy of northern New South Wales.”
Justine Elliot said the local community will benefit greatly through the training and educational facilities,
along with increased economic benefits that the Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre will bring.
“Australia is one of the most successful surfing nations and investments like this will help maintain that legacy,” she said.
Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark said the organisation was proud to be opening the new facility.
“This is a monumental day for Surfing Australia and for our sport,” Stark said. “The new Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre will provide the edge and competitive advantage that our athletes in Australia need, to be able to compete on the world stage.
“It’s no secret countries like Brazil, the USA and some of the European countries are catching up and this facility is our way of being proactive to keep our Australian surfers on top of the World Tour rankings and on top of the podium.
“There’s no training centre like this anywhere else in the world and Surfing Australia is very proud to be opening the HPC and to be leaving a legacy like this for the sport.
“I’d like to thank major partner the Australian Federal Government for their contribution to the building and to our principal building partners Hurley, the Australian Sports Commission, Harvey Norman, Sony and Consolidated Properties.”
Hurley Australia General Manager Jason Haynes, whose boss Bob Hurley flew out for the event, said the organisation was excited to be leading the innovation of surfing in the country.
“Hurley is proud to partner with Surfing Australia in the Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre and continuing our support of junior surfing in Australia,” Haynes said.
“Hurley is about innovation and being a microphone for youth, to be in a position to support junior surfing in Australia in a world first is exciting and a perfect fit for Hurley. We look forward to many years of support in helping to create future champions.”
Seven-time World Champion and Surfing Australia Board Member Layne Beachley said Australian surfers now had an incredible opportunity to stay ahead of the rest of the world.
“Any surfer that has the opportunity to come and train at the Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre is going to be given the biggest advantage over any other athlete that doesn’t have the privilege to be here,” Beachley said.
“It’s such an extraordinary facility. Every attention to detail and every aspect of it is for the benefit of the athletes. They are here to learn, they are here to grow and here to experience the best and be surrounded by experts.
“I’m incredibly proud of the facility and I have no question that we will create an awful amount of problems on tour for the rest of the world.”
The HPC will feature a surf specific gym, auditorium, offices, testing and treatment room, accommodation for 22 and has been designed in consultation with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).
A 40-surfboard test centre includes boards from the world’s best shapers, including Darren Handley Designs, Channel Island Surfboards and Lee Stacey Surfboards, and a comprehensive range of FCS fins.
The facility is on a dedicated $1.2 million freehold title gifted to Surfing Australia by Consolidated Properties, developers of Casuarina Beach, and construction started last September.
The centre will also conduct specialised programs designed for women, Indigenous Australians and disabled surfers.
