ASB MAGAZINE: Surfing NSW (SNSW) and Havaianas have extended their partnership for another year, in a deal that will see the footwear brand support surfing across the state from a grassroots level through to elite competition. Havaianas will partner on a range of events and initiatives on the SNSW calendar including the Havaianas NSW Grommet Titles at Maroubra and the Havaianas NSW Junior Team for the Australian Junior Surfing Titles as well as partnering with Manly Surf School and Cronulla Surfing Academy.
Commenting more widely on the partnership, Tom Nolan, Aqueo Head of Sales and Marketing, Havaianas exclusive distributor observed that the surf industry was a key factor in making the brand what it is here in Australia.
“We haven’t done anything in surfing since we looked after Luke Stedman so it’s great to support organisations like SNSW who are literally trying to make surfing better every time they go to work,” said Nolan. Newly sponsored and marquee team rider Reef Hazelwood will support the Havaiana’s SNSW competitions and activations around his current WQS calendar of events,
Today’s announcement will not affect the brands current involvement with Surf Lifesaving who Nolan says is also an important organisation when it comes to people having fun in the sun and at the beach. Havaianas will still assist in fundraising for much needed SLSC equipment and training as well as continuing to supply uniforms with a special Havaianas x SLSA thong available exclusively to members.
“We’ve worked closely with the team at Surfing NSW since 2016 and have seen first-hand the incredible work they deliver to support the sport of surfing,” continued Nolan.
“Summer, fun and an active outdoor lifestyle are at the core of the Havaianas brand, and we’re proud to continue a valuable partnership that promotes the same values.”
Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden shared Nolan’s stoke at the partnership.
“Havaianas have been a joy to work with over the duration of the last two years and we’re elated to be able to extend that partnership,” said Madden. “The Havaianas Grommet State Titles is one of the marquee events on the Surfing NSW calendar and we look forward to heightening this event through this partnership.”
We asked Tom why it was important to focus on surf sponsorship at this time and he said;
“We don’t want to put ourselves out there as a technical surf brand because we aren’t. We are a brand that is based around the beach, summer time and the sun,”
“Surfing is such a healthy lifestyle and the more people we can encourage to get involved the better. SNSW are doing incredible work with grassroots surfing; operating schools, programs for indigenous and underprivileged kids and for those who don’t have easy access to the coast,”
“There is a huge population west of Sydney that want to learn more about the ocean and the sport of surfing and SNSW are the catalyst for this. The more people surfing and the more people having fun at the beach is the way we will measure this partnership” said Tom Nolan.
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