Lisa lifts lid on surf culture

Lisa Messenger has set out on a mission to demystify the world of surfing for beginners - one surfing location at a time.

The former Southern Cross University student has created a series of Learn to Surf Locality Guides on Bondi, Manly and Byron Bay, and is currently working with teams of local surfers and business people to produce a guide to the surfing secrets of the Gold Coast.

Lisa said the guides, which have been licensed for sale in the USA, aimed to provide simple tips to help any newcomer find their feet, while also helping to support local business.

“The books are designed to help people not only pick up the skills of surfing, but also to enrich their experience in each area and help them better understand the location they find themselves in,” said Lisa.

“There are tips on hot spots and annual events as well as practical information on where to shop, eat, play and stay with an emphasis on using local products and services,” said Lisa.

A relative newcomer to surfing herself, the idea came to Lisa as she paddled around on her third ever surf at Byron Bay.

The venture is the latest in a string of projects for the Bachelor of Business and Tourism Management graduate, who in a few short years has authored 12 non-fiction books and project managed 71 others through her own an innovative publishing company, Messenger Publishing, which is currently listed as one of the fastest growing businesses in Australia.

The twice Telstra Business Woman of the Year finalist and 2008 Thought Leaders Entrepreneur of the Year said she was enjoying working on the new series of books.

“In the last few years the business has experienced extreme growth – I could never have imagined that we would achieve so much,” said Lisa.

“It’s been great but I have been working on a very large scale and I’m enjoying getting into a grassroots project and working with the community.

“At university I always loved studying destinational tourism and it’s like I have finally come back to my passion.”

Photo: Lisa Messenger (high resolution image available on request)