A program encouraging young Aboriginal Victorians to ride the wave to success through surfing has scored the perfect break thanks to the Victorian Government.

Surfing Victoria’s Indigenous Surfing Program recently scored a $100,000 boost from the Victorian Government.

Since 1998 the Indigenous Surfing Program has provided a range of opportunities for young Aboriginal Victorians to participate and compete in surfing, and more recently stand-up paddleboarding.

Between 2018 and 2020 alone, more than a thousand participants took part in wave riding, skills workshops, water safety and competitions across 14 different locations around the state, 50 per cent of those participants were young women and girls.

The funding will help Surfing Victoria increase social participation and employment opportunities for young Indigenous Australians and broaden its partnerships through the program.

VicHealth will also continue its support of the Indigenous Surfing Program providing $100,000.

The support for the Surfing Victoria initiative is part of the Government’s work to build a more sustainable sport sector and increase participation for everyone.

Government investment includes more than $18 million kicked in through the first round of the Together More Active Program, with $6.3 million going to 79 sport and active recreation organisations for projects that improve their competitive edge, boost organisational capacity, increase membership and sustainability, create more participation opportunities, and increase diversity and inclusiveness.

For more information about grant opportunities available through the Together More Active program

This is a media release from Sport and Recreation Victoria.