Surfing Australia opens world's first surf specific training centre

The $4 million Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre (HPC) at Casuarina in northern NSW has been officially opened.

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.

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.

The facility was opened by Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan, joined by former surfing world champions Layne Beachley, Mark Richards, Wayne Bartholomew and Barton.

Treasurer Swan explained "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.

"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."

Surfing Australia Chief Executive Andrew Stark said the organisation was proud to be opening the new facility, adding "this is a monumental day for Surfing Australia and for our sport.

"The ... 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 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."

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.

Beachley concluded "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.

"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 offers 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.

Images courtesy of Surfing Australia/Hurley.