Wave of support for plan to move Surf World from Currumbin to state-of-the-art facility at Kirra

A GROUP of Gold Coast surfing veterans has wants to relocate the Surf World surf museum from Currumbin to Kirra and transform it into a state-of-the-art, must-visit attraction.

Plans are being drafted to move the Surf World Gold Coast museum from Currumbin to Kirra.

A GROUP of Gold Coast surfing veterans has launched a plan to relocate the Surf World surf museum from Currumbin to Kirra and transform it into a state-of-the-art must-visit drawcard for tourists.

Surf World Gold Coast chairman Rob Ryan said the plan would see the museum relocate from its current home opposite Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Tomewin St to a refurbished two-level site in the Kirra Surf building, overlooking the beach.

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“At the moment, the town planners and architects and builders are looking at what can be done and what extensions would be needed and plans are being drawn up,” he said.

“With the support of government and council, it would be a powerhouse of museums in Queensland.”

The Kirra Surf complex at Kirra. Picture: Supplied.

The new-look museum would include 3D installations and exhibits featuring virtual reality technology.

Mr Ryan said the museum’s role of preserving the Coast and Australia’s surfing history was becoming increasingly difficult at its current site, with the museum forced to turn down donated items for its display “because we have no where to store it”.

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He said Kirra Surf’s owners, including former deputy mayor Peter Turner, had thrown their support behind the plan.

“This is a big deal,” he said.

“We already have some corporate sponsorship.

Surf World Gold Coast patron and 1980 Stubbies winner Peter Harris and chairman Rob Ryan. Picture: Bob Anthony.

“We’ve been in discussions with the owners of the building, the landlords and with Billabong.

“The owners of the building and everyone else involved want it to be a state-of-the-art, purpose-built museum.

“Billabong have the lease over the restaurant and they are subletting and having trouble getting people in and keeping it rented.

“It’s the ideal situation and a win-win for both of us.”

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Mr Ryan said while Surf World at Currumbin was popular with older visitors, surfing’s younger generation “barely know it exists”.

“Working with Kirra Surf would enable us to get more people from the younger generation in,” he said.

“We get the old guys in but the younger generation don’t realise that we display items from the 1920s through to Joel Parkinson.

Cheyne Horan showed a collection of historic surf items to the public at Surf World.

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It is unlikely the new site would be ready in time for Surf World’s 10th anniversary in March.

“We’ve set the wheels in motion,” Mr Ryan said.

“As chairman, I have a duty of care to investigate all opportunities.”

Surf World patron Peter Harris said it was important for young surfers to appreciate the roots of surfing and the changes the sport had undergone.

“What we have here at Surf World is an outstanding collection of surfing memorabilia and history which has played a key part of the Gold Coast’s culture,” he said.

Mr Harris said there was a misconception in the general public about what Surf World was, aside from the fact that the vast majority of Gold Coasters didn’t know where it was.

“This is much more than a museum, it’s an educational facility and a great function area and we intend to promote that more,” he said.