Ford Australia Named Official Auto Partner of Surfing Australia

Surfing Australia has announced a landmark multi-year partnership with Ford Australia, naming the automotive giant as the Official Auto Partner and Major Partner of the organisation.

The collaboration spans the entire surfing ecosystem, from grassroots boardrider clubs to elite high-performance programs, and features World Championship Tour star and Olympian Jack Robinson as a primary brand ambassador.

The deal positions Ford’s rugged fleet, specifically the Ranger and Everest models, as the foundational transport for Australia’s national surfing calendar, focusing on “strike missions,” remote beach access, and athlete development.

Noting that the partnership allows the brand to celebrate the “ultimate adventure lifestyle” that requires the reliability of the Ranger and Everestm, general manager of marketing and strategy at Ford Australia, Tim Wels, said: “For Ford, this represents a strategic alignment with a core Australian demographic that prioritises domestic travel, outdoor recreation, and coastal exploration.”

Highlighting the natural synergy between the two brands, Interim CEO of Surfing Australia, Adrian Buchan, added: “Ford has long been part of the surfing lifestyle.”

“From long road trips chasing waves to navigating remote tracks to find hidden gems, they’ve always been part of the adventure,” Buchan said.

chief of sport & partnerships, Luke Madden, added that the partnership captures the “spirit of exploration” and will help fans experience more of what makes Australian surfing special through “money-can’t-buy” experiences and on-ground activations.

High-Performance and Strategic Integration

A critical component of the agreement is Ford’s role as the Official Major Partner of the Surfing Australia High Performance Centre (HPC). Ford vehicles will now lead the logistical operations for athlete transport and performance camps, providing the 4WD capability required for coaches and surfers to reach remote breaks for world-class training sessions.

The partnership also leverages the authentic connection of Jack Robinson, who has long utilised Ford vehicles to navigate the demanding coastline of his home state in Western Australia. “I own a Ford now and have always been a fan… it’s the perfect fit for our day-to-day lifestyle,” Robinson stated. “I can chase swells, tow the jet-ski and know that I’m in a truck that will handle whatever we encounter.”

Commercial Reach and Grassroots Activation

Ford will maintain a heavy presence across Surfing Australia’s national event pillars, including:

• The Australian Boardriders Battle series
• Women’s and girls’ surf festivals
• Para Surfing events
• The Australian Junior Surfing Titles

The 12-month initial term of the partnership aims to inspire Australians to explore the coastline, with Ford providing the mechanical infrastructure to support the journey.

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