West Australian surfers can rest a little easier now after HIF yesterday presented a critical water safety jet-ski today to Surfing WA to use at more than 28 events held state-wide, attracting thousands of competitors annually.
With school holidays and the Christmas break on the horizon as well as the start of the 2014 Surfing WA events calendar in early January, water safety remains a top priority and HIF is supporting the cause by sponsoring a new jet-ski for Surfing WA.
The jet-ski will travel across a few thousand kilometres of WA’s vast coastline throughout 2014, used for water patrol and water safety at each of the Surfing WA events.
It’s just one of the ways in which HIF has assisted Surfing WA over the past four years.
Now, surfers right across the country will also benefit from a new national partnership HIF has announced with Surfing Western Australia and other state branches – to help deliver a range of programs through Surfing NSW, Surfing QLD and Surfing VIC.
Managing Director of HIF and avid surfer Graeme Gibson said it was important that all Australians and visitors could enjoy the water safely.
“We live in one of the most beautiful coastal locations in the world and it’s important that we all stay safe in the water", he said.
“HIF has been helping West Australian surfers through Surfing WA for more than four years, and we are now excited to spread that support to a national scale, by assisting other Surfing Australia state bodies, with similar programs and discounted products for their members.”
Surfing WA Chief Executive Officer Mark Lane said "The support of HIF over the past four years has enabled SWA to not only grow the visibility of the sport but to deliver great value to our members. It makes great sense that surfing and surfers around the country also get the opportunity to have a similar experience."
“The donation of the jet-ski this summer will help to keep surfers and other water users safe. We are very grateful to HIF for sponsoring this and helping keep WA beaches safe this summer.”
Surfing NSW CEO Mark Windon said it was great to see one of Australia’s leading health insurers getting behind surfing on a national front. “Surfers have a natural affinity to leading a healthy lifestyle, which is at the core of HIF’s philosophy,” he said. It makes sense to see Australia’s number one lifestyle sport with Australia’s number one health insurer, joining forces to promote health and wellbeing.”
Surfing VIC CEO Max Wells said Surfing Victoria is super excited to be part of the HIF family. “We have seen the great things Surfing WA and HIF have been doing and we are rapt to bring similar programs and opportunities to our state."
Surfing QLD CEO Scott Gillies said the partnership is a sound investment into the future of surfing within Queensland. “Surfing is synonymous with healthy lifestyle and is a sport which is great for the mind, body and soul. Partnering with the Health Insurance Fund of Australia (HIF) will deliver many benefits to our members from one of Australia’s leading health insurance providers.”