ASB MAGAZINE: In a world first, Surfing Australia’s National Squad will train at the World Surf League’s (WSL) Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California for two Olympic Readiness Camps beginning tomorrow….World Surfing Day! It will be the first time the WSL’s Surf Ranch has opened its facility for National Squads to support their high-performance training needs heading towards the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Surfing Australia’s National Squad being the first to utilise the facility as a national team.
Kim Crane, Surfing Australia’s National High Performance Director said: “We’re committed to find ways to support our Australian athletes to become the world’s best surfers and people’ and the innovative training environment that Surf Ranch is, allows us to bring our group together to not only work as a team, but to progress individually on skill development and equipment initiatives.
“This camp wouldn’t be possible without the support received from the Australian Institute of Sport and World Surf League, and other partners like the NSW Institute of Sport, to whom we are so grateful.”
Many of the Australian National Squad group have already tested and enthusiastically endorse the man-made wave at WSL Surf Ranch, like six-time WSL Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore, Matt Wilkinson, Adrian Buchan, and Nikki Van Dijk. They will be joined by teammates 2017 WSL Men’s Rookie of the Year Connor O’Leary, 2018 WSL Men’s tour Rookie Wade Carmichael, Sally Fitzgibbons, Owen Wright, Ethan Ewing and Stuart Kennedy.
Bede Durbidge Surfing Australia’s Elite Performance Manager said:
“Our National Squad athletes already have really busy travel schedules with international competition, so the fact they’re all super excited to get to Surf Ranch is indication of their commitment to be best prepared for not only the WCT event at Surf Ranch in September, but also the Olympics. We believe the performance gains from this camp will be transferable to all competition locations and I can’t wait to get there to work with everyone.”
Since its online reveal in December 2015, the WSL Surf Ranch has captured the world’s attention as the best man-made wave in history: a 700-yard, high-performance, bi-directional wave featuring barrel sections and manoeuvre sections. Primarily existing as a testing facility, the Lemoore site has spent the past two years dialling in the technology under the guidance of 11-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA) and feedback from visiting WSL surfers.
”We are delighted to welcome Surfing Australia to the WSL Surf Ranch,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO. “Surf Ranch provides the ideal location for athletes and their coaches to conduct their high performance training. The consistency and power of the wave system delivers high-quality waves in a controlled setting, allowing athletes to focus on technique to maximize training time.”
The Surf Ranch has already hosted the ‘Founders’ Cup of Surfing on May 5-6; and the Surf Ranch Pro, a WSL Championship Tour stop, will take place September 6 – 9.
VIA PRESS RELEASE
