Paddle Australia strengthens engagement with surfski community

Paddle Australia's renewed focus on surfski

Since becoming CEO of Paddle Australia in 2017, Phil Jones recognized a significant gap: despite success in other disciplines, the organization lacked a meaningful connection with surfski paddling, its most popular form. This oversight, he felt, could no longer be ignored.

After six years of effort, an April announcement confirmed a partnership between the Australian Ocean Racing Series (AORS) and Paddle Australia, marking a pivotal step towards better engagement.

Jones revealed long-standing discussions with Dean Gardiner, acknowledging Gardiner's prior independent work had kept ocean paddling strong. However, Jones emphasized Paddle Australia's inherent responsibility to the discipline, both short and long term, expressing gratitude for Gardiner's efforts and eagerness to collaborate for a secure future.

Key partnership outcomes

• AORS competitors must now be Paddle Australia members or pay a single-event fee to ensure insurance coverage.
• The AORS will serve as Paddle Australia’s national championships and the selection basis for ICF World Championships teams.
• The 2023 World Championships in Perth will have open entry.
• Paddle Queensland’s '14 Beaches' event on the Gold Coast has rejoined the national series after a hiatus.

Jones clarified that these initiatives aim to support the sport's growth, not merely boost membership. The primary goal is to engage the community, providing services, education, and safety measures to ensure surfski thrives. He stressed the importance of proactive management to prevent external limitations on paddlers due to perceived or real risks.

Unity for the sport's benefit

Dean Gardiner welcomed the partnership, noting his AORS had previously been national titles before Paddle Australia's 2021 partnership with another association. He expressed relief that the two entities are now "walking together, rather...

[go to the magazine: thepaddler]

Continue with the original post:
https://www.thepaddler.news/latest-news/paddle-australia-explains-new-approach-to-surfski/