Whananāki School have established their very own Surf Academy. They have up to 20 keen children from 5 to 13 years of age participating in this awesome education outside the classroom activity. The Whananāki School Surf Academy also has a qualified surf instructor Jill Shuttleworth guiding the students.

Fonterra Grassroots funded the school, boards and wetsuits and the Academy also got sponsored by a North American company (Fusion Surf Gear), with the owner providing the school with rash shirts which help Jill and the parent helpers know who is a part of the academy while they are in the water. The Surf Academy has not only benefited the children but has also given mothers an opportunity to learn how to surf too with Jill coordinating a Mother’s Surf Event.

Year three student Kyrin Edge says “I really enjoy going along the wave” meanwhile fellow classmate Tiana Ogle goes on to say “it is so much fun, Jill is an amazing teacher, and it is fun working with other people”.

“This is special to us because it allows all our children the opportunity to utilise our unique environment. To learn how to surf, read surf reports, be safe and to have heaps of fun. It is amazing to watch people standing up on a board for the first time, watching the joy on their face as they pop up, it's like time just stops” says Principal Tepania.

Ruby Bell Year 6 Whananāki School Student Representative finishes off with saying “it is a great way to end a Friday afternoon from school, pack up all the surfboards and go down to Moureeses beach and surf.  I think this Surf Academy is a great way to embrace the beautiful nature of Whananāki, that's why I love to surf at the Whananāki School Surf Academy”.