Christian Surfers Australia

What Christian Surfers Australia does

Christian Surfers Australia (CSA) is an Australian nonprofit religious organization founded in 1977 in Cronulla, Sydney, and currently headquartered in West Busselton, Western Australia. Its mission is to provide every surfer in every surfing community the opportunity to know and follow Jesus. CSA operates as a federated network of approximately 25 volunteer-led local 'missions' spanning 8 regions (Queensland, Northern NSW, Central NSW, Southern NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia), each combining surf sessions with bible study, fellowship, and learn-to-surf programs. The organization serves surfer personas including general surfers, youth ('groms'), women and girls (via the Christian Surfers Girls sub-brand), families, and partnered churches.

CSA's core programming includes signature national events (National Gathering, SURFATHON, Paddle Against Poverty, CS Girls Camp), leadership training through CSALT Academy, New Swell, and CSI Foundations Training, and a content/media portfolio (Swell Times Podcast, The CS Journal, CSA Newsletter, and the 'Groundswell' history book). The technology stack is operational rather than product-led: Elvanto for community sign-ups and member management, Square for e-commerce transactions, and a Safety Management Online (SMO) portal for risk assessment and permission to proceed for all mission activities.

Revenue is generated through four streams: (1) tax-deductible donations channeled via the Australian Sports Foundation partnership, including a Support Crew monthly giving program targeting an annual partnership goal of AUD $140,000; (2) sales of CSA-branded merchandise (hoodies $60-$70, tees $30, accessories $4.50-$50) through an online shop; (3) annual mission affiliation fees ($650 for existing missions, $250 for new missions) covering insurance; and (4) individual staff/regional support pages enabling donors to fund specific roles. Leadership comprises a National Director (transitioning after 23 years), supported by a small national staff including Mission Development, Communications, Events, Administration, Prayer, and Women's Coordinator roles, plus 8 regional coordinators.

Name

Christian Surfers Australia

Legal name

Christian Surfers Australia

Website

https://christiansurfers.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Christian Surfers Australia is a nonprofit, faith-based organization founded in 1977 that operates approximately 25 volunteer-led local surf missions across 8 Australian regions, combining surfing, fellowship, and Christian ministry for surfers, youth, women, and families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious and Faith-Based Community Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Surf Schools & Surf Camps (THAAAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sailing & Water Sports Teams/Clubs (Sailing, Rowing, Surfing) (MPAKABAH)

Keywords

• Faith-based surf ministry
• Community missions
• Nonprofit surf organization
• Leadership training programs
• Branded surf merchandise

Headquarters

HQ city

Busselton

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible donations through partnership with Australian Sports Foundation (ASF). Monthly giving program called CSA Support Crew targeting annual partnership goal of $140,000.
2. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling CSA branded merchandise including hoodies, t-shirts, stickers, caps, beanies, track pants, beach towels, and surf wax. Products sold at various price points from $4.50 to $70.
3. Mission Affiliation Fees: Annual fees for local missions: $650 for existing missions and $250 for new missions to cover insurance costs.
4. Staff Support Teams: Individual support pages for national staff and regional coordinators allowing donors to give directly to specific roles or regions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Christian Surfers Australia is a nonprofit Christian ministry that coordinates approximately 25 local "missions" — community surf groups — across 8 Australian regions, providing surf sessions, bible study, fellowship, learn-to-surf programs, and youth activities. It supplements these local missions with signature national events (National Gathering, SURFATHON, Paddle Against Poverty, CS Girls Camp), leadership training programs (CSALT Academy, CSI Foundations Training), a dedicated women's ministry (Christian Surfers Girls), and branded merchandise sold online.

Product overview

Christian Surfers Australia operates as a nonprofit ministry organization with a single unified offering focused on connecting surfers with Jesus. The organization coordinates approximately 25 local missions across Australia, each offering surf groups with varying activities including surf sessions, bible studies, competitions, and learn-to-surf programs. The portfolio includes signature national events (National Gathering, SURFATHON, Paddle Against Poverty, CS Girls Camp), leadership training programs (CSALT Academy, CSI Foundations Training), merchandise (clothing, stickers, accessories via online shop), and media content (Swell Times Podcast, The CS Journal, newsletter, CS History book). The Christian Surfers Girls sub-brand focuses on women's ministry. Operations are supported by the Safety Management Online portal for risk assessments and the Mission Affiliation Program for local mission oversight.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Christian Surfers Girls (CS Girls): A sub-brand focused on celebrating females in and out of the water, encouraging women to find purpose and live out their faith through surfing culture
• SURFATHON
• Paddle Against Poverty
• CSALT Academy
• The CS Journal
• Swell Times Podcast

Products and services

• Local Christian Surfers Missions Volunteer-led community surf groups that meet regularly for surf sessions, bible study, fellowship, and learn-to-surf programs. Operated across 8 Australian regions with trained mission leaders and regional coordinators.
• National Gathering Annual signature event coordinated by the National Events Coordinator that brings together Christian surfers nationwide for fellowship, teaching, and surfing activities.
• SURFATHON Annual fundraising surfing endurance event organized by Christian Surfers Australia.
• Paddle Against Poverty Community paddle event organized by Christian Surfers Australia as part of its mission activities.
• CS Girls Camp Women's-focused surf camp offering fellowship and spiritual growth opportunities.
• CSALT Academy Christian Surfers Australia Leadership Training Academy providing structured leadership development programs for CSA mission leaders and coordinators.
• CSI Foundations Training Foundational training program for Christian Surfers International leaders covering organizational policies, child safety, and mission operations.
• Christian Surfers Girls Women's ministry sub-brand within Christian Surfers Australia focused on celebrating females in and out of the water, encouraging women to find purpose through Jesus Christ.
• Mission Affiliation Program Formal affiliation process that allows local surf missions to operate under the Christian Surfers Australia banner with liability insurance coverage. Annual fees of $650 for existing missions and $250 for new missions.
• CSA Merchandise Branded CSA merchandise including Essentials Oversized Hoodies (from $60), t-shirts ($30–$40), stickers ($4.50–$5), surf caps and beanies ($40), track pants ($50), beach towels ($60), and CSA x Cake Club surf wax ($7), sold via the CSA online shop.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25 Christian Surfers groups operating across Australia
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• TearfundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanitarian and development organization partnered with CSA. Tearfund works to end poverty and is listed as a partner organization.
• Compassion AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian child sponsorship organization listed as a partner. Compassion operates programs supporting children in poverty worldwide.
• ZORALIminorOthersAustralian outdoor/adventure brand listed as a partner organization. ZORALI produces outdoor apparel and gear.
• Rote Island HutsminorOthersAccommodation provider in Rote Island, Indonesia, listed as a partner organization supporting Christian Surfers.
• BCR (Christian Surfer Square)minorOthersSurfboard shaping company and partner. BCR produces surfboards and is associated with the Christian Surfers community.
• The Surfers BibleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner for content distribution. The Surfers Bible is a surf media platform that collaborates with CSA on content.
• Surfing AustraliaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational governing body for surfing in Australia. Offers free Surf Rescue courses in some states for CSA leaders. Links provided to state surf lifesaving organizations.
• Safety Management Online (SMO)coreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party safety management platform used by CSA for all mission and regional risk assessments and permission to proceed approvals.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Waves for Change: Surf-therapy nonprofit using surfing for youth mental health and social impact. Comparable as a mission-driven surf organisation targeting under-served youth, though therapeutic rather than evangelical in mission.
• The Surfers Bible: Surf media platform and CSA's content/media partner. Comparable faith-adjacent surf media voice targeting the same Christian-surfer audience, but content-only rather than mission-operating.

Broad incumbents

• Surfing Australia: Official national governing body for surfing in Australia. Already a CSA partner via free Surf Rescue courses; broadly comparable as the dominant Australian surf institution though focused on competitive sport not ministry.
• Surfrider Foundation: Large international surf advocacy nonprofit with chapters in Australia. Comparable as a community-led surf-cause organisation, but focused on environmental activism rather than faith-based fellowship.
• Surf Life Saving Australia: National volunteer-based surf safety organisation. Comparable as a large Australian coastal volunteer-led nonprofit with overlapping volunteer-leader culture, though safety-focused rather than faith-focused.

Direct peers

• Surf Aid International: Australian surf-focused humanitarian nonprofit. Comparable as a purpose-driven surf organisation raising funds from the surf community, but operating in international development rather than faith ministry.
• Christian Surfers International: The global parent fellowship of national Christian Surfers ministries. Same faith + surf mission and community-led model; CSA is the Australian affiliate, making CSI the closest comparable peer.
• Christian Surfers New Zealand: New Zealand counterpart running mission-based surf outreach with similar faith + surf positioning. Closest geographic peer with directly overlapping ministry model.
• Christian Surfers USA: U.S. affiliate operating local chapters across American surf communities. Directly comparable in mission, volunteer-leader chapter model, and faith-based surf community programming.

Others

• Australian Sports Foundation: Not-for-profit enabling tax-deductible donations to sport-related causes. CSA's core financial infrastructure partner; directly relevant as the channel through which CSA's donor model operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/christiansurfersaus
• Instagraminstagram.com/christiansurfers_aus
• Xx.com/cs_australia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/christian-surfers-australia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Christian Surfers Australia