KEEN TO TRY SOMETHING NEW BUT NERVOUS ABOUT FAILING? DON’T STRESS AT CURRUMBIN ALLEY SURF SCHOOL YOU’RE IN GOOD HANDS.
Learning a new skill is daunting enough, but there’s something about surfing that makes the learning curve seem almost impossible to navigate. When it seems like every great surfer was born with a board in their hands, the thought of even trying to stand up seems pointless. But you’ll be surprised to know that surfing is nowhere near as impossible as you might think. Whether you’re 5 or 55, it’s an awesome sport that can be picked up by pretty much anybody – it just takes a little practice, and some words of encouragement from people in the know. That’s probably why so many people, both tourists and locals, head to Currumbin Alley Surf School to learn the craft – their team of surf-mad instructors will have you up on your feet in no time.
MEET JAMES WOODS…
James has been surfing since he was 6, when he gave it a go in a river with his dad. He’s been a coach since 2010, and absolutely loves seeing his students improve under his tutelage. A personal milestone for him was when he learned to do wafts – a quick Google Images search will do a better job of explaining what these are than this surfing novice possibly can – and he’s keen to travel more and surf the world. After a big day of surfing, you can find him at Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Club enjoying the view.
MEET KATE AZARNIKOW…
22-year- old Kate has been with Currumbin Alley for a year, but has been surfing since she was 6. “My brother surfed, and as all little sisters, I wanted to do whatever my big brother did, so I convinced my dad to take me with them to surf at Point Roadknight beach in Victoria,” Kate says. “Dad told me to ride my first wave on my belly, but I quietly agreed to disagree – I jumped straight up to my feet and rode down the face of the wave. I was hooked.” Kate lists her biggest surfing accomplishment as being part of the Disabled Surfers’ Association, a day full of smiles and laughter, and says she’s keen to surf Sri Lanka in the future. She loves helping people to achieve their personal goals in surf lessons, and often hits the Beach Shack at Currumbin after a big day in the water.
MEET MATTIO DELLAGIACOMA…
The first time Matteo stood up on a surfboard was around 10 years ago in the Canary
Islands of Spain, with his good friend Jose. “We had an epic day, and since then I’ve never stopped surfing,” he says. Matteo lists his biggest surfing accomplishment as being able to have heaps of fun in the water, every day, and says he wants to surf tons of different sports around the world while learning new things at the same time. “The most rewarding thing about teaching people to surf is seeing all different kinds of people having fun, coming out of the water with the biggest smile,” says Matteo. “The most important thing in surfing is to have fun.” When he’s not having heaps of fun in the water, you can find Matteo at Zipang Japanese in Currumbin.
MEET SAM CHILCOTT…
And finally, the man behind Currumbin Alley Surf School. Sam learned to surf on the same waves he now teaches students on, with his dad when he was 5-years- old. “My biggest surfing accomplishment has been being able to travel all over the world and surf places I dreamed about when I was a kid,” says Sam. “I’m going on a boat trip in the Menatawais later this year. I can’t wait.” When he’s finished imparting his surfing wisdom to the students of Currumbin Alley Surf School, you can find Sam at Caribour in Tugun or at local-fave Zipang. The thing that keeps him teaching? “Seeing how happy learning to surf makes people is super rewarding!”