A New Wave in Summer Sport: St Augustine’s College Surfing Program

There has been a lot of excitement with the launch of our Surfing Program, which has been a great addition to our summer sports line-up in the last term of the school year.

This program is giving students in Years 7 to 12 the chance to enhance their surfing skills, gain valuable ocean safety knowledge, and enjoy friendly competition at some of Sydney’s most iconic surf spots.

Why Surfing?

Surfing isn’t just a sport—it’s a way to connect with nature, build resilience, and cultivate physical and mental strength. Under the expert guidance of coaches from Manly Surf School and local lifeguards, our students are not only becoming more adept at surfing but are also gaining essential skills to navigate the ocean safely.

Program Highlights So Far

Since Term 4 began, 48 students have been participating in divided team training sessions based on their abilities.

The twice-weekly training includes one in-water session and one school gym session, focusing on flexibility and strength training. These exercises are tailored to mimic surf movements, building essential strength and endurance, and providing the necessary knowledge for water safety in all kinds of surf conditions.

Each of the boys’ surf sessions is filmed and reviewed, allowing students to track their progress, celebrate their achievements, and identify areas for improvement.

Competition and Camaraderie

Term 4 has already seen the boys partaking in competition-style heats at Palm Beach, Long Reef, and Manly Beach, every Saturday morning. These friendly competitions have been offering students the chance to connect across year levels, share tips, and push each other to reach new levels in their surfing abilities – particularly for those exploring the possibilities of competitive surfing.

Looking Forward: New Opportunities on the Horizon

In late November, students get the chance to surf and compete at URBNSURF Sydney, an artificial wave park. This venue offers opportunities for the boys to surf in controlled conditions, which aims to complement the training they have already participated in since the beginning of the term.

What’s Next for Our Surfing Community?

With Term 4 in full swing, the Surfing Program is setting the foundation for an exciting future of sports representation for St Augustine’s College. Our goal for 2025 is to provide even more opportunities for students to compete at advanced levels in school competitions across Australia. As this program continues we are excited to watch our surfing community grow, and to see our boys thrive both in and out of the water.

A Word from Nathan Raffo, Teacher in Charge of Surfing

"It’s inspiring to see our students dive into this program and embrace both the challenges and rewards of surfing. We’re building a community of young athletes who respect the ocean, support each other, and are growing stronger every day."