1 week Ago By Natalie Croxon
The 1980s was a golden era of surfing for Bulli High School, producing champions who represented Australia and claimed world titles. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading Now an effort is underway to again foster surfing talent in what teacher David Strange describes as a renaissance for the sport at the school.
In 2024 Bulli High School delivered its surf academy for the first time. Mr Strange said the program came about because the school was losing its surfers to Illawarra Sports High School. "We had one of Australia's best surf breaks [Sandon Point] but we weren't offering anything to keep talented surfers at the school," he said.
While the students involved did plenty of surfing, the academy's program provided a more holistic education on the sport. The students learnt about the cultural significance of Sandon Point to the Dharawal people and looked at how surfing fit into art, music and culture. They had opportunities to explore associated talents, too.
Under the guidance of journalist Megan Rowe students have put together a magazine, Barrells, with ARE Media, and they are in the process of making a feature-length documentary that is due to premiere in April. One of the students, Jett Blue, won an internship with surfboard shaping software company AkuShaper. "The real joy of this year has been finding out a kid's not just a great surfer, but they're a great artist or musician or shaper or talented in media," Mr Strange said.
On Thursday, December 13 the school marked the first year of the academy with a surfing alumni reunion. Stars of years past were invited back to celebrate the program and its students, as well as the teachers who nurtured the sport in the early years. Academy student Kyran Paxton won an award for most improved, Marlie Moston won most reliable, while biggest charger went to Will Crossley.
A collage of photos of surfers over the years by former student Coco Badger was unveiled, as was a wooden surfboard, made by Ed Gaudzinski, emblazoned with the names of the school's surfing champions. Among them are Kim Wooldridge, Jake Spooner and Chad Ryan, who were all world champions, and Jason Gava, who in 1989 was not only school captain but captained the Australian schoolboys surfing team. "The program they've got going now is just sensation," Mr Gava, a past president and life member of the Sandon Point Boardriders said.
He admired the academy's approach in educating students about different aspects of the surfing industry as he noted that only a small proportion of surfers make it to the professional ranks. Mr Gava also appreciated the focus on education; some of the money provided by sponsors went towards towards tutoring to ensure students didn't fall behind on their schooling when they went away. "It's preparing the kids better for adult life, I believe," he said.
Academy coach Ben Deans hopes to see it develop into the future. "It's been a really positive start," Mr Deans said. Scroll for more photos from the alumni reunion Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs and education.
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