Surfworld
Surfworld is recognised as the largest Surfing – Beach Culture in the world and houses the Australian Surfing Hall Of Fame as part of its comprehensive surfing displays.
First opened in December 1993 Surfworld was recognised in 1994 as one of “The most significant centres of world surfing heritage” by the International Surfing Association.
As a nation we share an affinity and connection to our ocean environments, which has helped shape our identity and given us a sense of place and belonging.
Surfing and surf beach culture has been synonymous with Torquay and the town continues to emerged as an important surfing and beach culture region in the world.
Surfworld plays an important role, locally, nationally and internationally in preserving, capturing and celebrating the historic achievements, technology and ever developing surf and beach culture lifestyle through a wide range of high quality visual stimulating exhibitions and educational programs which are informative, interactive and accessible for future generations.
• The Australian Surfing Hall Of Fame.
• Surfboards from 1919 to the present with over 130 surfboards on display.
• Swimming costumes, wetsuits, photographs, posters 1900 to 2003.
• Jack Eden Surfabout Revisited Photographic Collection.
• Big Bells and Other Boomers – The Barry Sutherland Victorian West Coast Surfing Series
• Photographic Collection.
• Gordon Stammers Story Boards.
The Surfworld Museum is divided into five main areas. The Wave Room- Celebrating 35 Years of the Rip Curl Pro at bells Beach.
The Boardroom features a boardwalk that traverses the length of a breaking wave tracing the history of surfboards in Australia from early solid redwood boards shaped by Duke Kahanamoku through to experimental futureboards by Greg Webber and beyond. There are also interactive videos tracing surfboard development and interactive displays, the balance board, paddle board and a weight comparison between an old Malibu and a modern shortboard.
Surfworld theatre shows historic surfing footage non stop, and features images from film classics like Greg Noll’s legendary Search for Surf movies to the exploits of the latest batch of big wave hunters. While sitting in the 80 seat surround sound theatre, you will be encircled by a range of epic surfboards and surf movie posters.
The Australian Surfing Hall Of Fame details the achievements and celebrates the lives of many famous Australian surfers, by having a board typical of the type they rode with a biography of each surfer featured on the board. There are also interactive videos so you can check out highlights of some of the famous surfers careers. There is also an interactive video on how surfboards are made and a live shaping bay so you can watch a shaper in action.
The Beach Culture Area deals with the many and varied elements that go into making up “Surf Culture” art, music, clothing and insights into the surfing life, featuring a walk through Kombi Van featuring all sorts of bits and pieces from a life spent chasing the waves .