Students coordinate high school surfing challenge

Tweed Valley high schools are about to settle a lingering argument once and for all. Which one can rightfully claim to be the top surfing school on the Tweed Coast?

More than 70 surfers representing Lindisfarne Anglican School, Tweed Valley College, St Joseph’s College, Kingscliff High and Tweed River High will line up on Friday (September 22) for the inaugural Tweed Coast Cup. At the end of the day one school will be crowned the region’s surfing champion.

The event has developed through the partnership of Southern Cross University, Surfing Australia and New Tweed Coast Adventures.

Southern Cross University students enrolled in the Diploma of Sport Management (surfing studies) will coordinate the event while Surfing Australia and New Tweed Coast Adventure staff will act as head judges.

Although this is the first event of its type to be held in the region, Southern Cross University event management lecturer Mr Pat Gillett said the ultimate aim was for the Tweed Coast Cup to be a permanent part of the Sport Management syllabus.

“The event unit involves a lot of management theory so it’s great to have an event like this where our students can also gain valuable practical experience,” Mr Gillett said.

Earlier in the year Southern Cross University students coordinated a similar surfing competition for the individual high schools. From these events competitors were selected to represent their school in Friday’s inter-school competition which will decide the Tweed Coast Cup.

Support coach Glen Hardy of New Tweed Coast Adventures has been particularly impressed with the commitment shown by the University students.

“It’s great to see the Uni students working on an event like this,” Mr Hardy said. “The students have a good combination of real passion for surfing and strong professional training that is required to coordinate a well-run surfing event.

“I think it’s also great for the community to see the various organisations working together to ensure the high school students have this opportunity.”

In addition to the title of Champion School on the Tweed, the top junior and senior surfer for both boys and girls divisions will be decided.

Photo: Southern Cross University students have been coordinating surfing competitions at individual high schools in the lead-up to Friday’s inter-school contest.

Note: the event location will be confirmed by noon on Thursday (September 22). The most likely location will be Cabarita Headland. The first heats will begin at 8am, with the finals scheduled for 12:30pm.

Media contact: Brigid Veale Southern Cross University communications manager 02 66593006 or 0439 680 748.