Hurley Helps HPC

An architect's rendering of the interior of the future Hurley HPC.

Hurley has just announced its partnership with Surfing Australia to support the new High Performance Centre being built at Casuarina Beach. The aim of the HPC is to nurture Australia’s up and coming talent by focusing on surf science research and training, and will reportedly “boast state of the art education facilities, accommodation, a surf specific gym, auditorium, offices and testing and treatment rooms.”

The Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre has been developed in conjunction with the Australian Institute of Sport and the Australian Sports Commission and is the world’s first facility dedicated to the development of elite surfers and coaches.

Like the press release says, “competitive surfing has become one of the most lucrative individual sports on earth” and $2 million of Federal funds have been teamed with a $1.2 gift of the freehold land title by Consolidated Properties, developers of Casuarina Beach.

Getting his $2 mil worth, Commonwealth Treasurer Wayne Swan was on hand to turn the first sod of earth for the construction of the HPC alongside Mark Richards and Layne Beachley in September.

Hurley’s exact role and financial support is unclear, but all parties are spruiking the partnership:

“Our mantra is 'Microphone for Youth',” said Hurley founder, Bob Hurley. “Collaborating with Surfing Australia for the purpose of developing the next generation of great surfers is symbolic of our belief in the youth of Australia and their potential to change the world. Our brand is all about innovation ... which simply means questioning the status quo. This centre is a big step towards creating an even better future for Australian surfing.”

1978 World Champion Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew said, “This is a perfect fit. Both organisations are moving in the same direction. Surfing Australia is about developing the sport of surfing in Australia – it’s their mandate, while Hurley is about innovation, high performance and youth development. As we move forward, it will become a true partnership.”

Everybody's pretty excited about the Hurley HPC.