To mark surfing’s Olympic Games debut, the Irukandjis Australian National Surf Team has partnered with Airbnb to deliver a curated wish list of surf-inspired stays in Australia.

Surfing Australia and Airbnb hope the partnership will inspire boardriders of all abilities and disciplines to hit the surf after watching Australia’s stars, Sally Fitzgibbons, Stephanie Gilmore, and Owen Wright compete at Tokyo 2020 Games.

The surf-inspired wish list comprises surf shacks, beach cottages, and coastal hideaways across Australia.

Airbnb country manager for Australia and New Zealand, Susan Wheeldon, said: “With in-person spectatorship looking different this year, audiences are searching for new ways to support athletes during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

“That’s why we’ve joined forces with The Irukandjis to help bring the magic of the Olympic Games a little closer to home for Aussie fans.

“Watching our surfing superstars dominate the waves is no doubt going to inspire many to grab a board and jump in the water, so this wishlist aims to encourage even the most novice of surfers to live out their gold medal dreams while staying at an epic coastal home available on Airbnb,” Wheeldon said.

Surfing Australia CEO, Chris Mater, said: “We’re beyond excited to collaborate with Airbnb on this wishlist specially curated by our talented national surf team in time for our sport’s Olympic debut.”

“The new Irukandjis name was launched in March this year and will see multiple surfing disciplines represented for the first time under one team identity; including Shortboard, Longboard, Big Wave, Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP), and Adaptive.

“And just like the team, the Irukandji’s wishlist has something for everyone,” Mater said.

Some stays in the wishlist include a beach house located on the waterfront at Boomerang Beach on the NSW Mid-North Coast, a studio at Smith’s Beach on Victoria’s Phillip Island and a waterfront cottage on Tasmania’s White Beach near a surfing territory known internationally as having some of biggest waves in the world.

In addition to the curated wishlist, Airbnb, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have developed a program consisting of more than 200 Olympic and Paralympic Online Experiences, only on Airbnb.

The online experience will be hosted by both competing and retired sporting heroes, including the likes of Olympic gold medallist and former professional volleyball player Kerri Pottharst, who is running workshops on how to adopt a ‘champion mindset’.

Other experiences include Paralympic gold medal swimmer Matthew Haanappel exploring the concept of inclusion, and Paralympic athlete Evan O’Hanlon leading a masterclass on ‘smashing targets’.