File:Jeff Rowley Big Wave Surfer Surfboard 10'2 Channel Islands Photo by Xvolution Media - Flickr - Jeff Rowley Big Wave Surfer.jpg

16 February 2012 - Australia

For the Love of Australia - Big Wave Surfer Jeff Rowley becomes Ambassador for Tourism Australia

Australian Big Wave Surfer and Adventure Athlete, Jeff Rowley has been invited to become an ambassador for Tourism Australia to promote Australia to the world as part of their 'Friends of Australia' campaign.

Tourism Australia has enlisted high-profile Australians including Dick Smith, Baz Luhrmann, The Wiggles and Curtis Stone to share why there is no other destination like Australia.

According to Managing Director, Andrew McEvoy, the 'Friends of Australia' campaign "harnesses the power of bright and influential individuals who are making a name for themselves on the world stage, and who have a genuine affinity with Australia".

Rowley has made an impact on the world stage as a big wave surfer and extreme adventure daredevil.

Rowley became the first Australian to paddle in to and catch gigantic waves at "Jaws" Peahi, Maui on 4 January 2012 - at the same time achieving his 2011/12 'Charge for Charity' mission, his personal quest to paddle in to and catch a 50 feet (15 metres) wave while attempting to raise $1,000,000 for Breast Cancer Australia.

Rowley is the only adventure athlete that has been declared a 'Friend of Australia' to share his experience of why there is no place like surfing in Australia.

On receiving the honourable invitation, Rowley exudes "I absolutely love Australia - It's an easy job promoting Australia".

"I just tell everyone about the koala's we drive past on the way to the surf or how we go camping and wake up to kangaroos eating grass outside our tent in the morning - there's no other place like Australia".