With skin cancer accounting for over 80 per cent of all cancers diagnosed in Australia, more than 380,000 Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer every year - 8500 with potentially deadly melanoma.

As the state’s peak industry organisation, Surfing South Australia provides surf programs from beginner learn to surf to elite professional surfing development.

In 2008/09 Surfing South Australia will reach more than 15,000 children with the SunSmart message via surf school classes and their involvement in the state government’s ‘be active’ program in primary schools.

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with Cancer Council SA. This is the first time we have been able to actively promote water safety and sun safety to South Australian children at the same time,” said Tim Doman, Business and Events Development Manager for Surfing South Australia.

“This targeted message will reach a wide group of school-aged children. It’s a message that is vital to avoid long-term sun damage for these kids,” he said.

Chief Executive of Cancer Council SA, Brenda Wilson, said that children need to establish SunSmart practices early, in order to protect against potentially deadly skin cancer later in life.

“We are looking forward to a long running partnership with Surfing South Australia and the opportunity to reach thousands of children with the SunSmart message each summer,” she said.

The partnership will have an official launch this week (Friday 14th of November) in front of Rundle Plaza in Rundle Mall, which will include music, street surfing, professional surfers, Channel Ten celebrities such as Jane Reilly and the iconic SunSmart mascot Sid Seagull.

For enquiries about any Surfing South Australia programs please contact Surfing SA on 08 8186 1080.