Surfing Australia has released an official collector's coin to commemorate its 50th anniversary.
The governing body for surfing in Australia was founded in 1963, as the Australian Surfriders Association. The official launch of Surfing Australia's 50th year anniversary will be held on 21st November, at the Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club, in Sydney.
"Surfing Australia has made such a great contribution to Australia's sporting fabric and has produced so many great surfing champions – so this new coin is well-deserved recognition of Surfing Australia's achievements," said Wayne Swan, Deputy Prime Minister, who opened the Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre, in Casuarina, in June.
The uncirculated coins are each packaged with their own unique surfboard shaped coin holder. The holder features an image of five-time world surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore.
"It truly is an honour to be involved with the Australian Government and Surfing Australia in this coin," Gilmore said. "Thank you so much for choosing my image for the packaging.
The Australian surfing roots begin in 1915, when Hawaiian legend Duke Kahanamoku introduced surfboard riding in the country, at Freshwater Beach. Today, there are 2.5 million recreational surfers in Australia
"Surfing Australia has a rich history and it's an honour to have an important milestone as our 50th Anniversary etched in such a significant way," underlined Andrew Stark, Surfing Australia Chief Executive Officer.
The surfing coin was designed by Aleksandra Stoki, from the Royal Australian Mint, and focus on the surfer, the wave and the surfboard. The coin is available for sale for $9.