Making Waves: A Breakthrough Moment for the St. Augustine’s College Surfing Team

In its debut, the St. Augustine’s College surfing program has already made a bold entrance onto the national stage.

From 14 to 16 May 2025, 14 students from Years 7 to 12, along with two staff members and many of our school families, represented the College at the Australian Interschool Surfing Championships. Held at the iconic Kirra Beach on the Gold Coast, the three-day event brought together elite school surfing teams from across the country. It was amazing to see our students stepping up and setting the stage for some unforgettable performances.

A Confident National Debut

The competition followed a tag team format, with each team of three surfers working together in 30-minute heats. Across the event, the College fielded five teams, two senior and three junior, showing off not only their individual skills but their commitment to their teams, and their composure under strict time constraints.

Despite the high-pressure format and the pumping conditions, our surfers performed with confidence and control. Four out of five teams progressed to the second day of competition - a remarkable achievement for our first appearance at this national level.

Standout Performances and Unforgettable Moments

Among many highlights, our senior team recorded one of the highest-scoring heats of the entire championships - a testament to their sharp decision-making and strong teamwork.

A truly memorable moment came when several of our junior students had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to paddle out and share a free surf session with 11-time world champion Kelly Slater. It was an inspiring moment for students and staff alike, and a great reflection of how far the program has come in such a short time.

Fourth in the Nation

The event culminated in a standout performance from our senior tag team who finished 4th overall in the national competition. Their result reflects not only their individual talent, but the culture of commitment and growth that underpins the College’s approach to co-curricular sport.

More Than Just a Surf Program

Since its inception, the surfing program has grown steadily, supported by weekly training, surf fitness sessions, and expert coaching through Manly Surf School. Reflecting on the team’s performance, Teacher in Charge of Surfing Mr Raffo noted:

“This event marked a milestone for our surfing co-curricular program, which has grown significantly over our first full summer… and this event proved just how far our surfers have come.”

The program places emphasis not just on performance, but on building resilience, teamwork, and self-belief; values that align with everything we do at St Augustine’s.

Looking Ahead

We’re proud of every student who represented the College and with such a strong showing in our first national event, the future of surfing at the College is incredibly bright. Our students have again demonstrated what can be achieved with passion, preparation, and sportsmanship.