What a great way to end a Friday afternoon from school, pack up all the surfboards and go down to Moureeses beach and surf with the Whananaki School Surf Academy. Hi my name is Ruby Bell, I am a Year 6 student at Whananaki School. Last year in Term 1 we established our very own Whananaki School Surf Academy.
We have up to 20 keen children from 5 to 13 years of age participating in this awesome Education Outside the Classroom activity. We even have our very own qualified surf instructor, Jill Shuttleworth.
Fonterra Grassroots funded our boards and wetsuits and the Academy got sponsored by Fusion Surf Gear which is a North American company. The owner is Jill’s cousin and he has provided our school with Batman rash shirts. This helps Jill and the parent helpers know who is a part of the Surf School while we are in the water.
It is amazing to watch people standing up on a board for the first time, watching the joy on their face as they pop up, it’s like time just stops.
“I really enjoy going along the wave”, Kyrin Edge Year 3.
“It is so much fun, Jill is an amazing teacher, and it is fun working with other people”, Tiana Ogle, Year 3.
That’s why I love to surf at the Whananaki School Surf Academy.
The Surf Academy has not only benefited the children but has also given mothers an opportunity to learn how to surf. Jill instructed a Mother’s Surf Event which was held last year and was sponsored by the Whangarei District Council.
Mr Tepania our Principal said, “This is special to us because it allows all our children the opportunity to utilise our unique environment. To learn how to surf, read surf reports, be safe and to have heaps of fun.”
I think this Surf Academy is a great way to embrace the beautiful nature of Whananaki.
Ruby Bell
Year 6
Whananaki School Student Representative
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