TONIC | welcome
ceo’s welcome
Hi and welcome to the autumn 2014 issue of Tonic. 2014 signifies a great milestone in the history of
Surfing Queensland as we celebrate 50 years since
the inception of the Australian Surfriders Association Queensland or ASAQ as it is more commonly known.
From its humble origins 50 years ago, the ASAQ, which became
Surfing Queensland, is now a thriving organisation chartered
with the development of surfing from the grass roots level to the
elite. What better example of the organisation’s capacity to promote the sport of surfing than the recent Quiksilver and Roxy
Pro event at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast. Surfing Queensland has been managing the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro World
Tour events since their inception and the organisation has well
and truly solidified itself as a world leader in the management of
surfing events.
With the professional arm of the sport undergoing major changes, all eyes were on the ‘new’ ASP structure as the 2014 world tour
commenced with the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro on the Gold Coast.
The event site was bigger and better than ever before and the
broadcast delivered a new level of spectator engagement that signifies the dawn of a new age of professional surfing.
We witnessed Mitch Crews and Dimity Stoyle - two Queensland
rookies - make their world tour debut at Snapper Rocks and both
athletes performed exceptionally well. The Queen of Coolangatta Stephanie Gilmore claimed another victory and Snapper Rocks
local, Joel Parkinson came agonisingly close to triumph for a
second consecutive year, this time being narrowly defeated by
Brazil’s Gabriel Medina.
I would like to extend my thanks to all of the staff and contractors
who worked tirelessly on the 2014 Quiksilver and Roxy Pro’s and
helped make the event a resounding success.
Aside from major events, Surfing Queensland has now entered
a new strategic period and will be delivering a host of programs
and activities involving clubs, events, indigenous programs and
education and training. Inside this issue, you’ll find a complete
wrap up of all that has been taking place at Surfing Queensland
throughout early 2014.
CHAIRMAN’S Welcome
Hello. Being an avid surfer for the best part of
my life and having an involvement in the surfing
industry through retail manufacturing, TV and
other forms of media, reporting and more recently, engaged as the Chairman of Surfing Queensland, I have witnessed many changes to the sport
of surfing.
Recently, I have been assisting Scott and the team at Surfing
Queensland with the production of a film documentary which
will focus on how the sport of surfing has developed over the
past 50 years in Queensland, and the involvement and influence
that Surfing Queensland has had in shaping the sport into what
we see today.
Rare film footage and still images have been found during this
process and we have also been fortunate enough to interview
some legends of the sport, which should make for an intriguing documentary. For me personally, the exercise has provided an opportunity to connect with long lost friends and source
archival footage that tells the story of surfing. Tracing the history of surfing is such an important component of the sport moving forward.
Surfing Queensland celebrated turning 50 by hosting an awards
evening on the surfers deck at the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro. Life
members were honoured and three new Surfing Queensland life
members were inducted. I would like to extend a special thanks
to Robert ‘Bushy’ Mitchell for his MC duties, as well as Mal Sutherland and Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew for their support on the
evening.
I would also like to compliment Scott Gillies and the Surfing
Queensland team for their efforts in producing a great evening
as well as their stellar production of the Quiksilver and Roxy
Pros. As we move forward into the rest of the year, let’s continue
the celebration of surfing in Queensland, because if you live in
Queensland and happen to surf, you are truly fortunate indeed.
John Charlton
Chairman, Surfing Queensland
Enjoy the read.
Scott Gillies
Chief Executive Officer, Surfing Queensland
Partnered with
surfingqueensland.com.au
autumn Issue – 3