Exclusive $7 Airbnb on Gold Coast includes surf lesson, BBQ with Mick Fanning

A three-night Airbnb stay on the Gold Coast will be available for just $7 and it includes a surf lesson and barbecue with Mick Fanning.

Australians have the chance to surf with legend Mick Fanning as part of a partnership between Airbnb and Surf Life Saving Australia.

Next Wednesday, one lucky person will be able to book a special one-off three-night stay at the Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club on the Gold Coast for just $7 for a group of four.

Most notably, the stay will include time with the famous surfer.

“We have a few different surprises for whoever books this stay,” Fanning said.

“Firstly, I’m going to take you down to my Rip Curl store down in Coolangatta and you can have a shopping spree, next we’re going to go and have a surf either here or one of the local breaks, depending on where the waves are best on that day, and then to finish it off we’re going to have a barbecue right here on the deck.

“We’re going to have a good time.”

Mick Fanning will spend time with whoever books the one-off Airbnb stay, including a surf lesson. Picture: Luke Marsden

The promotion intends to help spread awareness about water safety ahead of the Australia’s busy summer season, with Fanning encouraging people to complete the new online training available from Surf Life Saving Australia.

SLSA’s new “Beach Passport” is a free 10 minute course that teaches swimmers the meaning of different signs at the beach, how to spot a rip, the danger of getting in the water after consuming alcohol or drugs, and information about Australia’s vast coastline and drownings.

As a bonus, people who complete the course can get 150 Qantas points and go into the draw to win one million points.

“Water safety is really important to me,” Fanning said.

“I know the dangers and the way that mother nature moves out there in the water.

“Also, having a young family myself, I’m very wary of my kids learning about ocean safety.”

The 43-year-old and his partner Breanna Randall welcomed a daughter, Lyla Skye Fanning, in April. She is the younger sister to big brother Xander Dean, 4.

The Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club on the Gold Coast has been converted into a beach retreat. Picture: Luke Marsden

“Ocean safety is massive, especially here in Australia. We lose so many people to rips, to different currents, to drownings,” he continued.

“The surf life savers do a great job but they can’t be there all the time so we’ve got make sure we learn about the ocean.”

Up to four guests can stay at the place, which has oceanfront views. Picture: Luke Marsden

The three-time surfing world champion urged Aussies and tourists to swim between the red and yellow flags this summer, and never go in the ocean alone.

The opportunity to book the exclusive Airbnb stay opens on Wednesday, December 18 at 10am AEST/11am AEDT at airbnb.com/mickfanning. It is first in, best dressed.

The three-day stay will take place in January from Friday 24 to Monday 27.

The three-night stay is strictly in January between Friday 24 and Monday 27. Picture: Luke Marsden

But Fanning says everyone should visit the Gold Coast, even if they miss out on this stay. It is where his passion for surfing started.

“There’s no reason not to come,” he said.

“We have everything; we have the climate, we have the beaches, we have the hinterland, we have the rivers, we have nature, and plus, we have great restaurants and everyone is friendly.”

There is queen bed and bunks beds in an open plan space. Picture: Luke Marsden

Airbnb country manager Susan Wheeldon said the booking platform had an over 35 per cent growth in local and international visitors opting to stay in beachfront listings last summer.

“Staying in a home on Airbnb means you can enjoy a pool in your backyard or find secluded beaches and hidden swimming spots,” she said. “Often that means you may not have in-depth understanding of water safety or be unfamiliar with the local conditions.

“It’s important to remember not all beaches are patrolled and not all the time, so swimming can be a risk for both domestic and overseas visitors.”

She said it is why Airbnb partnered with Surf Life Saving Australia for this promotion.