Surfing Tasmania is proud to announce the appointment of Mimi Knoop as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mimi is a globally recognised leader in action sports who brings her experience as an elite athlete, Olympic coach, and advocate for equality to Tasmania’s surfing community.
A five-time X Games medallist and former U.S. Olympic head coach for skateboarding, Mimi has spent her career pioneering opportunities for athletes and building pathways from grassroots to the global stage. She now brings that vision to Tasmania, where surfing is both a beloved lifestyle and an emerging opportunity for international recognition.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mimi to Surfing Tasmania,” said Lara van den Berg, Chair of Surfing Tasmania. “Her global experience and proven leadership in athlete development, community engagement, and equality in sport will help strengthen our organisation and support the growth of surfing across the state.”
Mimi will focus on building Tasmania’s surf community from the ground up, working closely with clubs, coaches, families, and athletes to expand participation, strengthen pathways to elite competition, and ensure surfing remains accessible and inclusive.
“Tasmania has an incredible coastline, passionate surf communities, and some of the best waves in the world,” said Mimi Knoop. “I’m excited to work alongside the local community to grow participation, celebrate Tasmanian surfing talent, and showcase the state on the national and international stage.”
With Mimi’s leadership, Surfing Tasmania is set to amplify its reputation as both a home of world-class surf breaks and a place where the next generation of surfers can thrive.
About Mimi Knoop
- 5-time X Games medallist and pioneer in professional skateboarding
- First-ever U.S. Olympic head coach for skateboarding, leading Team USA’s program at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics
- Instrumental in achieving prize purse equality for women at ESPN’s X Games
- Board member of Tony Hawk’s The Skatepark Project (TSP) and NGO Skateistan
- Featured in Skate Dreams, and profiled in Forbes, Vogue, ESPN, NBC
