A School for Surfers
SCSC surfing academy members Isabelle Cooke and Ruby Ray are all smiles.
How things have evolved.
Boarding pioneers back in the ‘60s and ‘70s surely never envisaged surfing being part of the school curriculum, however 2013 has seen the launch of Surf Coast Secondary College’s elite surfing academy.
The aim of the academy is to not only improve the wave-riding prowess of the region’s up-and-coming grommets, but to also enhance their knowledge on other aspects related to the sport, including fitness, diet, board shaping, and bio-mechanics.
Director Nikki Hooley said the feedback she had so far received from the academy’s 12 members had been overwhelmingly positive.
“Already we’ve seen the program really evolve and there are some great opportunities locally to plug into,” she says.
“At the moment a key focus is collecting video material that can be used for technique analysis and in the coming weeks Ross Slaven, who is a judge on the professional circuit, will go through a lot of stuff with the kids.
“Everyone is finding it really inspiring, especially so after chatting to some of the pros at the Rip Curl Pro over Easter.”
Boarding pioneers back in the ‘60s and ‘70s surely never envisaged surfing being part of the school curriculum, however 2013 has seen the launch of Surf Coast Secondary College’s elite surfing academy.
The aim of the academy is to not only improve the wave-riding prowess of the region’s up-and-coming grommets, but to also enhance their knowledge on other aspects related to the sport, including fitness, diet, board shaping, and bio-mechanics.
Director Nikki Hooley said the feedback she had so far received from the academy’s 12 members had been overwhelmingly positive.
“Already we’ve seen the program really evolve and there are some great opportunities locally to plug into,” she says.
“At the moment a key focus is collecting video material that can be used for technique analysis and in the coming weeks Ross Slaven, who is a judge on the professional circuit, will go through a lot of stuff with the kids.
“Everyone is finding it really inspiring, especially so after chatting to some of the pros at the Rip Curl Pro over Easter.”
Lochie Edwards, Toby Bishop & Callum Thompson have been hitting the water as part of their studies.
Despite being almost halfway through the school year, two of the academy’s youngest members – year seven students Josh Van Niekerk and Isabelle Cook – are still finding it hard to believe their luck.
They hope the knowledge and skills imparted via the academy will help them one day emulate the feats of their idols – Dane Reynolds and Steph Gilmore.
“Surfing is my life and being able to study it at school is awesome. I’ve been surfing since I moved to Australia when I was four or five and I’d say Bird Rock is probably my favourite wave,” Josh says.
“I just want to keep on improving and it’s awesome that the school is providing resources for us to do that.”
The highlight for Isabelle thus far has been the behind-the-scenes look at this year’s Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, where academy members were lucky enough to act as board caddies and talk with some of their heroes, including Mark Occhilupo and 2012 World Champion Joel Parkinson.
“The tour of the Rip Curl Pro was really good. I got to speak to some of the surfing photographers, which was very interesting because that’s an area I’m definitely interested in,” Isabelle says.
Local surfing identity Adam Robertson, the 2009 Rip Curl Pro runner-up, is mentoring academy members and Ms Hooley said she hoped that other well-known local surfers will – literally – jump on board.
“It’s all about nurturing and promoting local talent and we see our academy as a perfect vehicle for that,” she says.
“It’s really, really exciting.”
The unwavering smiles that adorn the academy members’ faces when they talk about the program emphasises that point.
For more information about Surf Coast Secondary College’s surfing academy or for a tour of the school call (03) 5261 6633 or email surf.coast.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au
They hope the knowledge and skills imparted via the academy will help them one day emulate the feats of their idols – Dane Reynolds and Steph Gilmore.
“Surfing is my life and being able to study it at school is awesome. I’ve been surfing since I moved to Australia when I was four or five and I’d say Bird Rock is probably my favourite wave,” Josh says.
“I just want to keep on improving and it’s awesome that the school is providing resources for us to do that.”
The highlight for Isabelle thus far has been the behind-the-scenes look at this year’s Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, where academy members were lucky enough to act as board caddies and talk with some of their heroes, including Mark Occhilupo and 2012 World Champion Joel Parkinson.
“The tour of the Rip Curl Pro was really good. I got to speak to some of the surfing photographers, which was very interesting because that’s an area I’m definitely interested in,” Isabelle says.
Local surfing identity Adam Robertson, the 2009 Rip Curl Pro runner-up, is mentoring academy members and Ms Hooley said she hoped that other well-known local surfers will – literally – jump on board.
“It’s all about nurturing and promoting local talent and we see our academy as a perfect vehicle for that,” she says.
“It’s really, really exciting.”
The unwavering smiles that adorn the academy members’ faces when they talk about the program emphasises that point.
For more information about Surf Coast Secondary College’s surfing academy or for a tour of the school call (03) 5261 6633 or email surf.coast.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au
Toby Bishop doing what he does best!
