CASUARINA/NSW (November 11th /2019): Sustainable Infrastructure company Acciona and Surfing Australia will create a better tomorrow through surfing as part of a new partnership officially launched at the Surfing Australia High Performance Centre (HPC) today.

The Acciona ‘Feeling Swell’ Program will activate and anchor the partnership with a purpose of creating communities that are physically active, environmentally proactive and inclusive.

Acciona becomes a major support partner of key Surfing Australia program, the nudie Australian Boardriders Battle, Australia’s biggest grassroots boardriders event series involving over $100,000 prize money across eight state events and a large-scale National Final. 

Acciona will be visible at the National Final in Newcastle on February 15-16, 2020 with the ‘Acciona Recycle Station’ powered by Envirobank with funds raised from the station to go to carbon offsets for the event series. 

“Acciona is delighted to partner with Surfing Australia and believe it is a perfect fit for our brand in Australia, given the synergies between the two companies, said Acciona Geotech Managing Director Bede Noonan. 

“Together we will raise awareness of climate change and water pollution, inspire and encourage diversity, and support Surfing Australia to become an emission-free organisation. We are particularly excited to be the support partner to Surfing Australia’s new women’s program this Summer, which will provide women of all ages with the opportunity to get in, on and around the ocean, with this program perfectly aligned with our 2020 program to increase the number of female workers in the construction industry. We are also extremely proud to have Isabella Nichols as our ambassador, given everything she represents in the sport and the fact that she is studying Engineering.”

Adding to the high stakes of the nudie Australian Boardriders Battle National Final in Newcastle will be the Acciona Women in Waves Breakfast which will be hosted by  Surfing Australia TV host Sam Squiers and will be an opportunity to engage women in surfing and encourage and inspire their growth and development through surfing leadership.

The brand will be a support partner to Surfing Australia’s new women’s program this Summer which will provide women both young and old with the opportunity to get moving; in, on and around the ocean on Australian beaches. Through two membership offerings and a teen program, women and girls will receive the collective benefits of physical movement, mental vitality and social connectivity from every session- all amidst the incredible setting that is the Australian shoreline. 14 locations around the country will be bringing the program to life this coming summer with further expansion planned through 2020.

Surfing Australia CEO Chris Mater said, “Acciona’s core values align perfectly with Surfing Australia’s and we couldn’t be happier about the new partnership that is set to create a better tomorrow through surfing.” 

“We look forward to feeling Acciona’s presence on beach during the nudie Australian Boardriders Battle series and can’t wait to see the women’s program roll out with their help.”

Acciona Ambassador and 2020 World Surf League (WSL) Women’s World Tour rookie Isabella Nichols, who is also studying engineering at university, will be the face of the partnership and will be involved in a branded content series that aims to bring to life Acciona’s clean water initiatives.

"This new partnership with Acciona is going to be an exciting one,” said Nichols. “Not only are they supporting the environment through sustainable energy practices, but they are also supporting the sport of surfing and especially women in the sport, of every ability, age and background. I’m looking forward to partnering with this refreshing company and can’t wait to see how we can work together to make a difference."

Surfing Australia will run a national surf day (surfing and stand up paddleboarding) for Acciona’s staff at four locations around Australia (VIC, NSW, QLD and WA) on separate days so new female recruits and their mentors (or parent and child) get the health benefit of being in the ocean while sharing quality time.

Acciona and Surfing Australia Studios will produce branded content throughout the partnership that will feature Ambassador Isabella Nichols, and be highly visible across Surfing Australia’s media channels, including a campaign on mySURF.tv and a sponsored TV show.