Lexi Webster
Australia is renowned as one of the world's best surfing destinations, with its vast coastline and swells in all directions. The sport is a way of life for many locals, with approximately 2.5 million recreational surfers in the country. Australian surfboard makers have been at the forefront of surfboard design and production since the 1960s, and the country has produced several world-class surfers. Surfing in Australia has grown from a relaxed way of life to a mainstream sport, with a thriving culture and community. The country offers a variety of surf spots catering to all skill levels, from beginners to experts, making it a popular destination for surfers from around the globe.
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What You'll Learn
Surfing's economic impact on Australia
Surfing is a way of life for many Australians, with the country's vast coastline and swells in all directions providing the perfect conditions for the sport. It has grown from a relaxed way of living to a mainstream sport, with approximately 2.5 million recreational surfers in Australia, 420,000 annual surf participants, 107 surf schools and 2,292 accredited surfing coaches.
The sport has a profound economic impact on Australia's coastal regions, with a direct input into the economy of A$2.71 billion per year, rising to A$4.88 billion per year when including indirect effects. This includes money spent on retail and domestic travel by Australian surfers, which is estimated to be A$3,719 per surfer per year on average. The popularity of surfing in Australia has also helped launch corporate giants such as Billabong, Rip Curl and Quiksilver.
The economic impact of surfing in Australia also extends to the tourism industry, with the country's beaches attracting visitors from all over the world. Some of the most popular surfing spots for tourists include Bondi Beach, Manly Beach, the Gold Coast, and Bells Beach.
Surfing has also driven innovation in surfboard design and production, with Australian surfboard makers at the forefront of the industry since the mid-1960s.
The sport has also been found to have a positive impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of participants, with over 80% of surveyed surfers reporting benefits to their physical health, mental health, and community connectedness.
Despite its significant economic and social impacts, there has been limited scholarship and documentation on surfing's contribution to the Australian economy.
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Australia's surfing history
Surfing has been a beloved pastime and cultural phenomenon in Australia for decades. The country is renowned as one of the world's premier surfing destinations, with approximately 2.5 million recreational surfers and 420,000 annual surf participants.
While surfing was not entirely new to Australians when Duke Kahanamoku, the "father of surfing", visited in 1914, his trip opened the first chapter in the history of surfing Down Under. Kahanamoku gave an exhibition at Freshwater Beach in 1915, and by the 1950s, a few local surfers started producing and selling their own surfboards, leading to the birth of the first Australian surf brands, such as Barry Bennett Surfboards and Gordon Woods Surfboards.
The sport in Australia was also influenced by the California lifeguard team that visited during the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. This led to the first World Surfing Championships, held in Sydney less than a decade later. By the 1960s, Australia was in the midst of a surf boom, with the country drafting along behind California. During this decade, Midget Farrelly established himself as a surfing pioneer, going virtually unbeaten in competition. In 1964, Australia's first modern-day surfing magazine, Surfing World, was established by Evans.
By the middle of the decade, outside influences on Australian surfing began to wane, and the country broke free to become a fully independent and pacesetting surf nation. Australian surfboard makers have driven innovation in surfboard design and production since the mid-1960s, with the shortboard revolution marking a turning point in Australian surf culture.
Today, surfing in Australia forms part of a lifestyle in which millions participate and which millions more have an interest. The country hosts several major tournaments, including the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, and the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro. Australia has also produced multiple world champions, including Wayne Bartholomew, Tom Carroll, Barton Lynch, and Stephanie Gilmore.
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Surfing's health benefits
Surfing in Australia is a way of life for many locals, with its vast coastline and swells in all directions. The country has produced multiple world champions and is home to world-renowned surf spots.
Surfing is a great workout for the body and has numerous health benefits. It is an incredible whole-body workout, requiring a high level of fitness and an excellent way to build muscle. The constant paddling through the water increases arm and back strength while also increasing the heart rate, providing an intense cardiovascular workout.
The physical benefits of surfing also promote mental well-being. Surfing releases feel-good chemicals in the brain, known as neurotransmitters, which make you feel euphoric and promote general happiness. Surfing is an effective way to combat mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress. The natural high experienced while riding a wave can help push aside the tribulations of mental illness.
Additionally, surfing promotes better sleep by increasing melatonin levels and tiring out the body. It is a powerful way to instill happiness, improve flexibility, boost metabolism, and make regular life activities easier. Surfing is also said to improve allergies, with the saltwater helping to reduce allergic reactions to pollen.
Surfing provides a symbiotic relationship with both the mind and body, offering a sense of freedom and a connection with nature. It is a sport that can be enjoyed by all skill levels, from beginners at Noosa Main Beach to experienced surfers at Bells Beach.
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Best surf spots in Australia
Australia is home to some of the best waves on the planet and some of the world's best surfers. Surfing is as much a part of Australian culture as cricket and beach barbecues. There is no shortage of surf spots in the country, from gnarly point breaks to gentle waves perfect for beginners.
The Gold Coast is home to the Superbank, a large, man-made sandbank that creates one of the longest wave rides in the world. Surfing here can be busy during peak times, so it's not ideal for beginners. Serious surfers can enjoy the barrelling wave that peels from Snapper to Greenmount Beach.
For those looking for a more relaxed surfing experience, Kings Beach in Caloundra, just north of Brisbane, offers gentle but consistent waves. The geography of this south-facing beach protects it from the predominant north-easterly winds that affect other Sunshine Coast beaches.
If you're an experienced surfer looking for big waves, Tasmania's beaches offer just that. However, you'll need a wetsuit to brave the southern swells. Clifton Beach, about 16 miles southeast of Hobart, is backed by dunes and offers a series of breaks along the beach.
For a truly remote surfing experience, Cactus Beach, located at the far western edge of the Eyre Peninsula, is beyond mobile phone reception range.
Bells Beach in Victoria is another popular destination for surfers, known for its dramatic craggy cliffs and the world-class surf competition, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, held annually in March or April.
Phillip Island, a 90-minute drive south of Melbourne, offers nature, wildlife, and great waves. Cape Woolamai is the island's highest point and is known for some of the best surfing in Victoria, attracting even Chris Hemsworth.
With its world-renowned surf spots and diverse range of waves, Australia is a surfer's paradise.
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Surfing's social impact on Australians
Surfing in Australia is a way of life for many locals, with its vast coastline and swells in all directions. It is Australia's second-most-participated water sport, with approximately 2.5 million recreational surfers in the country. Over one in ten Australians surf as a recreational activity.
Surfing has had a profound social impact on Australians, with over 80% of participants experiencing a positive impact on their community connectedness. It has grown from a relaxed way of living to a mainstream sport, with the country producing multiple world champions. The sport has also driven innovation in surfboard design and production, launching corporate giants such as Billabong, Rip Curl, and Quiksilver.
The social impact of surfing in Australia is also evident in the strong sense of community among surfers. There is a hierarchy among surfers, with unwritten rules such as not stealing waves, giving way to the nearest surfer, and always paddling behind someone riding a wave. The community is accommodating to newcomers, and learning the local customs is an important aspect of surfing culture.
Surfing has also positively impacted the mental and physical health of Australians. Research has shown that surfing has contributed to enhanced mental health, with over 75% of respondents in a survey agreeing that it has positively impacted their ability to deal with stress and foster social relationships. Surfing also promotes cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, and balance.
In addition to the social impacts, surfing has had significant economic impacts on Australia's coastal regions, with an estimated impact of A$2.71 billion on the economy per year. The average Australian surfer spends A$3719 per year on retail and domestic travel, contributing to the country's economic growth.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, surfing is extremely popular in Australia, with a culture that has grown from a relaxed way of life to a mainstream sport. With its vast coastline, Australia attracts swells from all directions, making it one of the world's premier surfing destinations. There are around 2.5 million recreational surfers in Australia, and over 1 in 10 Australians surf as a hobby.
There are many great surfing spots in Australia, including:
- The Gold Coast, which is home to the Superbank, a large, man-made sandbank that creates one of the longest wave rides in the world.
- Noosa Main Beach, which is good for beginners.
- Bondi Beach in Sydney, where beginners can learn both technique and surfing etiquette amid North Bondi’s gentle swell.
- Manly Beach in Sydney, which is known for its consistent breaks.
- Byron Bay, which has a range of surf spots, from right-handers at Broken Head to Tallow Beach’s gnarly point break.
- Phillip Island, which is known for offering some of the best surfing in Victoria.
- Margaret River, which is a popular surfing destination exposed to powerful swells.
Surfing has been popular in Australia since the 1950s, when the Australian government tried to curb surfing during working hours, but this attempt backfired and only made the sport more popular. In the 1960s, surfing became closely associated with the surf life-saving movement in Australia, and the country has since produced multiple world champions. Australian surfboard makers have also driven innovation in surfboard design and production, and the country has launched major surf brands such as Billabong, Rip Curl and Quiksilver.
