Surfing NSW celebrated its 50th birthday last Thursday night, with over 120 attending a cocktail soirée at the Novotel Manly Pacific.
The night – which marked the 50th year since the formation of the NSW Surfriders Association – saw NSW surfing greats Mark Richards, Layne Beachley, Simon Anderson, Shane Stedman, NSW Treasurer Mike Baird and Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark all attend the celebratory occasion.
‘Over the last 50 years NSW surfers have had success on pretty much every tier and discipline of professional surfing’, said Surfing NSW CEO Mark Windon. ‘I can only hope the next 50 years are as exciting and successful as the last.
‘We’d like to thank all the people who attended and made this such a memorable night, as well as all the people who’ve been involved with Surfing NSW in any capacity over the last 50 years. We’re excited for the future.’
Windon, was also awarded with a lifetime member award of Surfing NSW for his 30-year commitment to surfing in the state.
NSW Treasurer and Surfing NSW Patron Mike Baird commended the organisation on the job it’s done for surfing in NSW over the last half century.
‘Surfing NSW has overseen the transition of surfing from its modest beginnings to one of the leading professional sports in the world’, he said. ‘From encouraging young surfers to participate in club competitions through to world tour events – Surfing NSW is to be commended for its leadership over the past 50 years.’
Surfing NSW, established in 1963, is the largest and longest-running of the recognised state bodies for the sport of surfing in Australia.
Surfing NSW is recognised by the NSW government as the premier surfing event management body in NSW, providing stakeholders with outstanding quality and professional surfing events.
Surfing NSW is a not-for-profit organisation with all profits generated through event management invested into the development of surfing in NSW through targeted grassroots and elite development programs, events and education programs.
It is our mission to develop the sport of surfing in NSW to its maximum potential through the delivery of professional events, coaching and educational programs.
