Surfing clubs welcome grant funding following death of shark attack victim Khai Cowley

Surfing clubs, including the late Khai Cowley’s branch will receive new safety equipment thanks to a new grant.

The surf club of teen shark attack victim Khai Cowley will be among those to benefit from a grant designed to help clubs create a safer environment for their members.

Seaview Road Board Riders will benefit from a $20,000 grant provided to Surfing South Australia to purchase surfing-focused trauma first aid kits and facilitate better access to drones, which have been made to reduce the risk posed by sharks.

Better public announcement systems and equipment with Starlink capabilities to boost communications in places with poor signal will also be funded thanks to the grant from the Recreation, Sport and Racing office.

Online training will additionally be provided for officials and volunteers.

It comes six months after a Khai was killed in a shark attack at Ethel Beach last December.

Surfer Khai Cowley, 15, who was fatally attacked by a shark at Ethel Beach in South Australia's Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, on the York Peninsula. Picture: Supplied

The 15-year-old surfer was a member of the Seaview Road Board Riders group, which has welcomed the funding.

“Khai Cowley was a big influence in the Surfing SA community even at such a young age,” the club said in a statement.

“As part of our club, Seaview Road Board Riders, he was a leader, mentor and role model for all of our younger groms.

“After such a tragic loss for our surfing community it is fitting that Surfing SA has received the grant to support all clubs with innovative safety equipment so we can

continue to participate in the sport we love just as Khai would have envisioned.”

Recreation, Sport and Racing Minister Katrine Hildyard said it has been “really moving to witness the surfing community rally around much loved Khai Cowley’s family, friends” and clubs following his tragic death late last year.

Minister Katrine Hildyard with members of the Seaview Road Boardriders, Khai Cowleys surfing club with Surfing SA safety equipment Picture: Supplied

“The surfing community is a really close-knit family that wraps its arms around people when things are hard and that really encourages people, and particularly young people, to experience the absolute joy that comes with taking off on a wave at your favourite break or heading to a beautiful part of the coast around our state,” she said.

“I am so pleased that we are providing some support to Surfing SA so that they can purchase innovative additional safety measures that give kids and adults confidence

to continue to safely participate in the sport they love.”

Clubs can already access the trauma kits while extra safety equipment is due to be in place by summer competition season.