Wadandi to lead new surfing academy

Surfing WA’s announced a brand-new surfing academy of Aboriginal youngsters around the South West.

With the help of Josh Palmateer’s Surf Academy, Wadandi elders have teamed up with Surfing WA and the WA Government to mentor young surfers through the early stages of their development.

The ultimate goal of the Wadandi Surf Academy is to see West Australians once again competing in the National Indigenous Titles to be held at Bells Beach, Victoria, in May 2020.

The program unveiled today will start with surfing lessons and a cultural induction program, led by custodian Iszaac Webb.

It features 10 students from Busselton Senior High School and nine students from Margaret River Senior High School.

The academy’s long term goal was to create a sustainable Aboriginal surfing body which would hold regular events, deliver dedicated coaching programs for Aboriginal people and also train Aboriginal judges and officials.

“Launching the program today with 19 indigenous kids from the South West region has been a real success,” Mr Webb of the Undalup Association said.“Integrating surfing and culture together has been the key and has provided this mob with a much broader and beneficial experience.

“Putting these kids back on their country and providing them meaningful connection through surfing has been amazing.”

Margaret River mainstay and ex-World Tour champion Josh Palmateer would manage the surf training.

He said he wanted to pass on some of his surfing knowledge and experience to future generations.

“This program is brilliant and something WA has needed for a long time,” he said.“To see every single participant get in, give it a crack and succeed is what it’s all about. I’m stoked.”

Surfing WA chief Mark Lane said the program would expand Statewide if successful.