Surfing
A water sport where an individual rides waves using a board.
While the origins of surfing in Australia remain unknown, the earliest known photo of someone surfing in Australia was taken in the 1911-1912 summer at Yamba in NSW.
The Australian Surfriders Association was formed in 1963 as the national body for surfing. 1,3
Discover more about surfing through the Clearinghouse evidence base:
- Modified Sports - adaptations that make surfing more inclusive and accessible.
- Australian Sport History - history and Hall of Fame information about surfing.
Evolution:
- Australian Surfriders Association [1963-1993]
- Surfing Australia [1993-]
Participation
An estimated 306,500 Australians [aged 15+] participated in surfing at least once in 2024. 2
An estimated 22,000 Australian children [aged 0-14] participated in surfing at least once in 2024. 2
An estimated 125,500 Australian women [aged 15+] and an estimated 179,000 Australian men [aged 15+] participated in surfing at least once in 2024. 2
Explore further participation statistics for surfing through the AusPlay online portal., opens in a new tab
Governing body
Surfing Australia, opens in a new tab is the organisation recognised by government at all levels as the National controlling body for the sport of surfing in Australia.
REFERENCES
- About Us, opens in a new tab, Surfing Australia, (accessed 4 February 2026)
- AusPlay Data Portal: Participation by activity, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 15 October 2025)
- Australian's Surfing Story, opens in a new tab, Australian National Surfing Museum, (accessed 4 February 2026)
Documents
The Clearinghouse for Sport has sought permission from relevant organisations for the inclusion of their documents in this archive. Copyright ownership remains vested with the organisation and as such permission from the copyright owner should be sought if you wish to communicate, adapt or reproduce these documents.
- Surfing Australia Annual Report 2025[PDF • 13.96 mb]
- Surfing Australia Annual Report 2024[PDF • 13.38 mb]
- Surfing Australia Annual Report 2023[PDF • 22.83 mb]
- Surfing Australia Annual Report 2022[PDF • 31.79 mb]
- Surfing Australia Annual Report 2021[PDF • 31.91 mb]
- Surfing Australia Annual Report 2020[PDF • 9.76 mb]
- Surfing Australia Annual Report 2019[PDF • 6.12 mb]
- Surfing Australia Annual Report 2017-2018[PDF • 6.83 mb]
- Surfing Australia Annual Report 2017[PDF • 7.64 mb]
- Surfing Australia Annual Report 2016[PDF • 9 mb]
- Surfing Australia Annual Report 2015[PDF • 10.87 mb]
- Surfing Australia Annual Report 2014[PDF • 16.68 mb]
- Surfing Australia Annual Report 2013[PDF • 11.43 mb]
- Surfing Australia Annual Report 2012[PDF • 5.88 mb]
- Surfing Australia Annual Report 2011[PDF • 6.22 mb]
- Surfing Australia Annual Report 2010[PDF • 4.82 mb]
- Surfing Australia Annual Report 2009[PDF • 11.89 mb]
- Surfing Australia Annual Report 2007[PDF • 13.1 mb]
- Surfing Australia Financial Report 2007[PDF • 477.16 kb]
- Surfing Australia Annual Report 2004-2005[PDF • 3.56 mb]
Surfing Australia Annual Report 2006, 2008 not held.
- Surfing Australia Strategic Plan 2025-2029[PDF • 5.48 mb]
- Surfing Australia Strategic Plan 2020-2024[PDF • 2.42 mb]
- AIS Surfing Australia Case Study (2014)[PDF • 3.47 mb]
