Surfing Australia is extremely proud to announce a new partnership, with Ford Australiaan icon of Australian motoring. Ford has come on board as Official Auto Partner and Major Partnerset to support the sport from grassroots participation through to the highest levels of performance.
Ford will support and activate across Surfing Australia’s national calendar of eventsspanning everything from the Australian Boardriders Battle series, women’s and girls’ surf festivals, to Para Surfing and the Australian Junior Surfing Titles.
A key pillar of the partnership sees Ford Australia become the Official Major Partner of the Surfing Australia High Performance Centre (HPC). Ford vehicles will support athlete development through strike missions, performance camps, athlete transport and beach access, enabling coaches and athletes to reach remote surf breaks and create world-class training environments.
The partnership will also feature Olympian and World Championship Tour surfer Jack Robinsonwho joins Ford as an ambassador for the partnership. Robinson has driven Ford vehicles for years at his home in Western Australia, where the state’s rugged coastline and remote surf breaks call for the reliability and capability they provide.
“I own a Ford now and have always been a fan of the brand. As a family, it’s the perfect fit for our day-to-day lifestyle. I can chase swells, tow the jet-ski and know that I’m in a truck that will handle whatever we encounter on or off the road.â€
The versatility of the Ford Ranger provides the capability for 4WD beach access and jet ski towing support, while the Ford Everest offers the space and comfort for families, boardrider clubs and weekend surf trips.
This partnership will extend beyond the competition arena, celebrating the everyday surfer’s journey to chase waves along Australia’s rugged coastline — from reaching remote breaks to loading boards for weekend missions and transporting families in comfort.
Additionally, Surfing Australia and Ford will deliver a series of money-can’t-buy experiences for athletes, fans and everyday surfers, offering unique opportunities to connect with the sport, its athletes and the iconic locations that define Australian surfing.
Tim Wels, General Manager – Marketing and Strategy at Ford Australia, said:
“Surfing is the ultimate adventure lifestyle, requiring the exact capability and reliability that Ranger and Everest were built for. This partnership allows us to celebrate the journeys our customers take every day. Whether it’s supporting local boardrider clubs or cheering on Jack Robinson on the world stage, Ford is committed to helping more people get out there and experience the very best of the Australian coastline.â€
Luke Madden, Chief of Sport & Partnershipsat Surfing Australiasaid the partnership captures the spirit of exploration that defines the Australian surfing lifestyle.
“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Ford as an Official Major Partner of Surfing Australia. Ford is an iconic brand that understands the connection surfers have with the coastline and the adventure that comes with chasing waves. From supporting our athletes at the High Performance Centre to activating across our national events calendar, and supporting grassroots programs, this partnership will help surfers and fans experience more of what makes Australian surfing so special.â€
Adrian Buchan, Interim CEO of Surfing Australiasaid Ford has long been part of the surfing lifestyle and is a natural fit for the sport.
“I’ve owned a few Fords over the years myself, so I know how well they suit the surfing lifestyle. From long road trips chasing waves to navigating remote tracks to find hidden gems, they’ve always been part of the adventure. Surfing Australia is proud to partner with a brand that shares that connection to the coastline and the communities that make surfing so special. I’m excited to see this partnership grow over the next 12 months.â€
Jojo Alpers, Director of Marketing at Surfing Australiasaid the partnership represents a powerful alignment between two iconic brands connected through adventure, lifestyle and the Australian coastline.
“Ford is a brand that naturally fits within the surfing lifestyle, from road trips chasing waves to exploring Australia’s incredible coastline. This partnership gives us the opportunity to create impactful marketing moments across Surfing Australia’s key event pillars, connecting with surfers and fans from grassroots through to the elite level.
With Ford activating across our national calendar and supporting athletes through ambassadorships like Jack Robinson, we’re excited to bring the partnership to life in a way that celebrates the spirit of surfing while creating meaningful experiences for our community.â€
Together, Ford Australia and Surfing Australia aim to inspire Australians to explore more of the coastline and chase waves, supporting surfers at every level of the sport, from grassroots programs to elite competition, one wave at a time.
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/regions/2026/01/14/en-plein-entrainement-physique-6967a436daed2311704423.jpg "“It’s like we won the lottery”, this Breton surf club wins the French championships, and flies to Australia")
