FEATURE: HIGH-PERFORMANCE SURFING THE OLYMPICS! SURFING’S NEXT TAKE OFF management exercise in the last and it was a highly effective environment 12 months as we’ve committed to for our athletes and coaches to train in, a courageous reboot of our program,” so I endorse the introduction of wave Crane explained. pool technology and believe that long term, we will see significant uplift As a country wrapped in the cloth of across not just high performance, sport and imbibed around the ocean, but also participation.” an eagerness to perform well is close to heart of many Australians who will Being blessed with a wealth of surfing watch the surfing. The Olympics will talent and with many heroes in There are always two sides to any see the world’s best surfers competing mainstream Australian sport deriving decision. Many surfing enthusiasts, passionately for their respective from surfing, are we likely to see our however, have seen the sport’s inclusion countries, adding a different next generation fill the shoes of Joel in the Olympics as a ‘cop out’ — the performance element to that what Parkinson, Mick Fanning, Taj Barrow, selling of surfing’s soul. the athletes are used to on the World Bede Durbidge, Layne Beachley, Sally Championship Tour, where typically Fitzgibbons, Steph Gilmore and others? Kim is certainly on the other side of they compete as individuals. Kim is confident the future of the sport this argument: “to be recognised by the is in safe hands: Olympic movement brings status and “Our athletes are incredible role models a great growth opportunity for surfing.” with inspirational stories. Our sport will “We simply require more resources to continue to work hard to ensure high be able to do more to support individual Whilst funding is always a topic of performance competition is held in the progression. I’m confident that we have concern wherever high performance world’s best waves; this is where the rawathletes in our talent pipeline that will is concerned, there’s an understanding skill and athleticism of our athletes can transition successfully to the level we that future investment in this area be showcased best. have seen from some of the greats depends on surfing’s 2024 & 2028 of the past. Olympic inclusion, and podium success. “Wave pools are certainly going to be a game changer. Judging criteria will “Our athletes will continue to inspire “I’m confident that our sport brings continue to shift as the technical skill Australians, their dreams will be realised, a unique point of difference to the evolves, particularly as our athletes now success will be celebrated; and it will be national sport system, the Olympic push the boundaries with both speed all done with character and courage. movement, and our wider community execution and aerial skill acquisition.” That’s the beauty of our sport, surfing.” and that it offers a high value return. We are working hard; implementing As Kim described, wave pools are the a clear national high-performance new progression within surfing and offer ABOUT THE AUTHOR strategy, establishing best practice a strong advantage when the Olympic Jorden Merrilees is the Copy systems and processes in order to Games presents schedule challenges. Editor at SMA. He received his build sustainable success. degree in Communications from “We took our National Squad to the the University of North Carolina “I am proud of the work our people are Kelly Slater Wave Company’s Surf at Chapel Hill. doing, as it has been a challenging changeRanch this year for a training camp 14 VOLUME 36 • ISSUE 3 2018 oedivileh/segamiytteg