Surfing Australia and Suncorp today launched a new partnership aimed at spreading the SunWise message nationally, specifically targeting Australian surfers and beachgoers in 2010.

Sunshine Coast surfers Grant Thomas, Blake Wilson and Dimity Stoyle joined Suncorp staffers on Mooloolaba beach to launch the new partnership.

Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark said he was excited to be partnering with Suncorp on such a vital health issue.

"We are very happy to be working with such a dynamic financial services provider to deliver the important SunWise message to surfers across Australia," Mr Stark said.  

Suncorp Group Executive General Manager for Marketing Mark Reinke said working with Surfing Australia would allow Suncorp to reach more people with its skin cancer message. 

"The partnership will give us access to surfers and beachgoers at events across Australia where we can deliver the skin protection message to the people who need it the most," Mr Reinke said.  

"The new relationship with Surfing Australia represents the start of an exciting new chapter for the SunWise program.  

"We've been working hard for some time to tell Queenslanders and Western Australians about the importance of sun protection and this new partnership will take the SunWise initiative to a national audience.

"Skin cancer is 95% preventable and yet about 1700 Australians continue to die from the disease each year. 

"This partnership is a natural extension to other successful partnerships we've had in the past six years with organisations such as the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, Mackay City Council and Townsville City Council.  

"We welcome this opportunity to join forces with Surfing Australia and save lives by spreading the word across the country about practical SunWise behaviour such as applying sunscreen or wearing a hat."  

Sunshine Coast pro surfer Blake Wilson spends up to four hours per day training in the ocean and religiously protects his skin to avoid becoming another cancer statistic.  

"My parents have had heaps of skin cancers burnt off and seeing them return from the doctor shaking in pain is a pretty good reminder to be SunWise," Mr Wilson said. 

"I always wear zinc and sunscreen, only surf in the early and late hours of the day to avoid the sun's hottest rays and wear protective clothing if I'm outdoors between 10am-3pm. 

"Mum and Dad's generation used baby oil and sunbaked on the beaches all day long and I've seen firsthand the damage it's done. 

"My surfing generation is much more aware of the dangers and is pretty conscious about applying sunscreen but you still see a lot of sunburnt people on the beach." 

From February the Suncorp SunWise shade tents will be seen at surfing events throughout Australia including the Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast and the Australian Junior Surfing Titles in Victoria.  

Suncorp staff volunteers will also attend each event to distribute free sunscreen to spectators and tips for being SunWise. Suncorp will also support various sporting teams and holiday camps within surfing Australia to help spread the sun protection message.

For all updates visit www.surfingaustralia.com or call the Surfing Australia Office on (07) 5599 3800. For more information about the SunWise program visit www.suncorp.com.au/sunwise.

Media Contact: Courtney Lock, Sequel Communications phone (07) 3251 8139 or 0403 090 915 OR Jake White, Surfing Australia, 0422 987 069