AirAsia has renewed its multifaceted partnerships and commitment to surfing, with Surfing Australia and state surfing bodies in New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland.
“The sponsorship renewal builds on a successful first year partnership with Australia’s surfing bodies. Surfing is at the heart of Australian culture and we’re proud to have formed such a strong connection with the surfing community here,” said Rudy Khaw, Head of Branding for AirAsia Group.
The deal includes working with Surfing Australia as the official airline of the nudie Australian Boardriders Battle National Series and the State surfing bodies to award the best air manouevres. Key events will have the AirAsia Big Air Award and introduce AirAsia Airshows where crowds can watch surfers take flight in a dedicated air session.
AirAsia’s Beach Club concept will also form part of major surfing events, giving spectators the opportunity to relax on deck chairs under beach umbrellas with fresh coconuts and go into the draw to win fantastic AirAsia giveaways.
The AirAsia Juraki Surf Invitational is a highlight on the Australian surfing calendar. Held in August 2019 in Fingal Head, the event will bring together Indiginous surfers to celebrate surf and culture.
AirAsia’s newest ambassadors, Australian surfing favourite Felicity Palmateer and 2017 WSL Men’s Championship Tour Rookie of the Year Connor O’Leary, will travel with AirAsia to explore and share their surfing experiences from Sri Lanka, Lombok, the Maldives and Taiwan.
AirAsia will also extend its ‘Surfboards Fly Free’ initiative in 2019, meaning surfers from Australia will be able to travel with their surfboard with no excess luggage cost, to any of the surfing hotspots found in AirAsia’s network.
Surfing Australia CEO Chris Mater said, “We are delighted to continue our partnership with AirAsia.”
“AirAsia is great choice for Australian surfers to fly to get their international surfing fix at a very affordable price.”
