Torquay's Australian National Surfing Museum celebrates three decades

THE Australian National Surfing Museum (ANSM), located in Torquay, is this year celebrating three decades since it opened its doors to visitors.

For the past 30 years, through a combination of permanent displays and temporary exhibitions, the museum has showcased the story of Australian surfing, highlighting its champions and charting the country’s contribution to the development of the sport.

ANSM will mark the anniversary with several birthday events through the year, including a new interactive Hall of Fame experience, a new Gems of the Collections event series and panel discussions for Melbourne Design Week in May.

The museum is largest of its kind in the world and boasts a nationally significant collection of more than 17,000 diverse items including artefacts, historic photos, trophies and other memorabilia spanning the past 100 years.

It also houses a collection of surfboards that feature the personal boards of Australian surfing Hall-of-Famers such as Mark Richards, Layne Beachley, Simon Anderson and Terry Fitzgerald.

The museum will mark the anniversary with a series of birthday events.
L-R: Surf Coast Shire councillor Kate Gazzard, shire coordinator for arts and creative economy, Evelyn Whitelaw and deputy mayor Michael Bodsworth. Photo: ANDY ROGERS

Surf Coast Shire deputy mayor Mike Bodsworth said the museum continues to grow from strength to strength.

“It is fitting to be launching these birthday celebrations against the backdrop of the 2024 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach,” he said.

“Thirty years is a special milestone, and we look forward to some great exhibitions and experiences throughout 2024.”

A vision of pioneering surfers Peter Troy, Vic Tantau and Alan Reid, ANSM was established in December 1993 by Surfing Australia before its ownership and management was transferred to the shire in 1994.

Since then, the museum has hosted more than 400,000 local, interstate and international visitors.

“Our Australian National Surfing Museum is a national and international treasure, right here on our doorstep at the heart of Australia’s home of surfing,” Cr Bodworth said.

“I can certainly recommend browsing its collections and wonderful stories which reflect the achievements, dramas, and highlights of Australia’s biggest surfing journey and capture the sport’s vivid culture.”

ANSM is at 77 Beach Road, Torquay with entry through the visitor information centre.

For more information, head to australiannationalsurfingmuseum.com.au