Southern Cross University reviews national surf school network

A national review of Surfing Australia’s surf school network, which last year delivered more than 150,000 surfing lessons, will be conducted by a sport management research team from Southern Cross University

The network, comprising 74 surf schools affiliated with Surfing Australia, also delivers the Safe Surfing Program.

“The surf school Industry in Australia has probably quadrupled in size over the past decade. We (Surfing Australia) need to examine our approach and the role we play in this area, as it is such a key component in the development pathway for our sport,” said Surfing Australia chief executive officer Mr Mark Lane.

“This review is part of a process aimed at strengthening the network and ensuring that it maintains its high standards of safety and quality surf lesson delivery.”

The surf school network was born out of the need to establish standards for the operation and delivery of surfing lessons on Australian beaches.

It boasts an exemplary safety record with no major injury or accident reported since its establishment in 1990.

Mr Jak Carroll, the co-ordinator of Southern Cross University’s Diploma of Sport Management (Surfing Studies), will lead the review team which also includes Dr David Arthur and Mr Ray Booker from the Department of Exercise Science and Sport Management.

“With their expertise in sport management and their knowledge of the surfing industry, we feel that Southern Cross University is well-placed to provide an independent evaluation of the network,” Mr Lane said.

The review team will be conducting surf school forums around Australia in August and September prior to making formal recommendations to Surfing Australia in November.

Photo opportunity: Mark Lane and Jak Carroll will be available for interview at Surfing Australia’s Casuarina headquarters, Barclay Drive, Casuarina Beach, on Wednesday (August 8) between 9.30am and 10.30am. A surf coaching lesson will also be taking place at the nearby beach.