Set to finish this week, Kiama Surf Life Saving Club’s inaugural surf boat academy has been such a success there are already plans to run it again next year. 

“The academy is a concept that I developed with a friend of mine when I was living in Sydney about 18 months ago and we noticed that all surf clubs were struggling with younger members patrolling the beaches and low surf boat numbers,” says KSLSC’s Beck Hamilton.

“We decided surf boats were the solution and rather than throw the kids into a full-on training drill, we thought giving them ‘a try before you buy’ course would be something really exciting for them.”

The two week course was open to kids aged 14-19 from the entire community, whether they were a part of a surf club or not. Thirteen kids - from Kiama, Kiama Downs, Port Kembla and Shellharbour - joined up which made it possible to have three full surf boats.

“We are using surf boats as the mechanic to bring people together to try a new sport that’s incredibly challenging,” says Beck. 

“Having something like this to do in the school holidays has been unreal for the kids.”

Graduating rowers will get the chance to continue on as part of the Club and row in competitions later in the year. 

“If they love the academy, they can continue on into a proper crew but if they decide it’s not for them then we will try and channel them into other parts of the Surf Club,” says Beck.

“The primary aim now is to get these kids to love it, get their Bronze Medallion and for the kids that are old enough, we are aiming to get them to compete in a local carnival.”

The Club is aiming to run the academy every summer from now on, so any keen kids will get the chance to give it a go. 

For those interested, contact Kiama Surf Club: www.kiamaslsc.com.au/