|
Learn To Surf Programme Hailed As Highly Successful |
|
Written by Ben Kennings
|
|
Thursday, 22 November 2012 |
The three week long ASB Community Trust Have a Go Surfing Days programme completed at Piha earlier this month has been hailed a massive success. Close to 600 students from 17 schools throughout West and South Auckland participated in the programme learning about beach safety and hitting the water for a surf lesson.
The screams of laughter, hooting and hollering from the school children while
taking part in their lessons was testament to the fun they had in the water.
“I have never come across so many excited youngsters in all my time as a surf
coach and as the Development Officer for Surfing New Zealand” said Lee Ryan who
delivered the three week long course.
“This opportunity, provided thanks to the support of ASB Community Trust, has
broadened the horizons of many young kids who are now excited to get back into
the ocean and give surfing another shot.
Most importantly, it taught the participants water safety at the beach
and how to be safe in this environment.
That was a major barrier at the start of the programme and I think we
have lowered this barrier by way of introducing them to the ocean in a fun way”
added Ryan.
Many of the schools discussed the apprehension from parents who were weary of
sending their children into the ocean at Piha.
However, once the children hit the water in a controlled environment,
the elation on their faces during and after the lessons was clear for all to
see.
The programme was aimed at Year 8 and below school children. The students were all bussed out to Piha where
they took part in a fun-filled practical lesson in the water with five
professional surf instructors. Students
also took in theory on land prior to getting wet where they learnt about the
ocean and ways to stay safe in the water as well as the best techniques to get
up and riding and enjoy the thrill of catching waves.
The programme follows on from the successful implementation of the Kiwi
Sport Have A Go Surfing Days that have been held in Northland, Counties
Manukau, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay and Wellington. Over 1100 eager youngsters from forty schools
have had a taste of surfing in these five regions, some of whom are now hooked
on the sport.
The learn to surf programme is the first step of the development pathway
for surfers who can then move on to surfing at events. Events include opportunities and club and
regional level as well as national events such as the Primary School
Championships, the New Zealand Grommet Series which offers three divisions for
boys and girls – Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 and the Regional and National
Scholastic Championships held each year.
Information
For more information on the ASB Community Trust Have A Go Surfing
Days please contact Ben Kennings on 021 2278732 or email benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz. Alternatively, please contact Surfing New
Zealand Development Manager Lee Ryan on 0211160160 or lee.ryan@surfingnz.co.nz.
Follow Surfing New Zealand
Keep in touch with all the surfing info
from around the country by following Surfing New Zealand’s social media
networks.
Surfing
New Zealand Facebook
Surfing New Zealand Twitter
Surfing New Zealand Newsletter
If you want to keep updated with surfing information right to your inbox then
sign up to the SNZ
Newsletter
Surfing New Zealand are proudly partnered by:
Hyundai
Sport NZ
SunSmart
Ends
|
