Last Thursday 150 surfers from across the land downed tools for the inaugural Trade Up Cup, hosted by Surfers for Climate at URBNsurf. The event aims to celebrate the craftsmanship and camaraderie of Australia’s tradies while highlighting their role in driving sustainable building practices on their job sites.
With the construction industry contributing to 30% of global carbon emissions, events like this draw attention to the urgent need for change.
“The Trade Up Cup isn’t just a party; it’s a platform for change,” explained Trade Up Program Manager, Sam Green. “Tradies have the power to make a massive positive impact on our environment, and events like this show how we can work together to build a greener future.”
Of course, the Trade-Up Cup was also an opportunity for plumbers, chippies and sparkies to chase the pipe, hammer the lip and light up sections at Sydney’s URBNsurf. A sprinkling of surfing celebrities, a bundle of quality showbags and the entertaining banter of The Swellians helped give a genuine sense of occasion to the setting.
Proceedings were momentarily halted by wrathful thunder and lightning, but fortunately, everyone was on the job by one-pm and no one slacked-off from there-on-in.
We all know a local tradie who rips. Some gave up promising pro careers to join the workforce. More than a few would threaten the QS warriors in a heat. On Thursday the judging involved a visionary system, pioneered by Flowstate, where each wave was filmed, and surfers were invited to submit what they believed was their single best ride. When the last chlorine cylinder had been ridden and the wash had settled on the pool the results were.
Overall Winning Team (Surfing + Tradie Trivia) – TRUST PLUMBING
Score: 38.32
Prizes: Buckaroo Leather Works Vouchers + Volcom Prize Pack
Individual Standouts
Best Manoeuvre: Electrician Sandon Whittaker’s stunning Air Reverse earned him a $1000 Buckaroo Voucher.
Top Surfer: Builder Jayke Sharp dominated the surf heats, winning a Yeti Cooler and a Safestyle Prize Pack.
“I was stoked to be a part of the Trade Up Cup,” explained Jayke Sharp. All of us in the building industry know that we need to do better, and this event was a fun way for tradies to take a day off, surf their brains out and learn a few things too. Such a good vibe and I can’t wait for the next one.”
After knocking off at the pool, attendees gathered at Warrenview Hotel in Enmore for the live Ain’t That Swell Podcast focused on environmental action, followed by a high-energy afterparty with live performances by Goons of Doom and The Punk Rock Hillbilly, supported by Tracks Mag & Young Henrys.
Surfers for Climate CEO Josh Kirkman hailed the day as the perfect combination of competition, entertainment and eco action.
“I’m stoked that we were able to bring together so many partners, sponsors and tradies to the wave pool. The surfing standard was so high, guys were ripping, and the sustainable building expo and tradie trivia made it a learning experience that can help surfing tradies take off into greener building practices and climate action.”
The success of the inaugural Trade Up Cup ensures it will now become an annual fixture on the surfing calendar. Make sure you get involved next year.
