Surfers go off with the pro's!
Monday, 7 June 2010
Sunday saw 16 of the states keenest junior surfers take to the water under close guidance from two of South Australia’s professional surfers.With a promise of meeting their idols a brisk morning was no concern for the juniors that had attended.
The excitement on their faces was noticeable with the arrival of professional surfers Dion Atkinson and Teale Vanner.
A meet and greet took place in the iconic Middleton bay shelter and the incredible warmth shown by Teale, Dion and event organiser Cheryl Peat had the juniors on a high.
The group then made their way onto the sand and under the instruction of Teale and Dion the juniors were put through a thorough warm up routine. For aspiring professional surfers, juniors such as Alice Gilbert and Mack Baddack paid close attention to the various stretches and preparation techniques. Although the warm up was concise it was not without laughs.
The surfers were then split into two groups to make the most of the two professional surfers on hand. The younger juniors were paired up with Teale and the older juniors with Dion.
The young surfers then took to the 2-3 (1.0 metre) feet waves with enthusiasm, eager to show Dion and Teale their moves. The juniors put on a great display of surfing and over the hour came ashore to receive one on one coaching from Teale and Dion.
The wave conditions were tricky with a slight onshore wind from the south and a very peaky swell. These were not the conditions every surfer hopes for but it was great for the juniors to gain advice from Dion and Teale on how to deal with challenging conditions.
The attention to detail shown by the two young men along with Cheryl was outstanding. The juniors were noticeably stoked with gaining advice from their surfing heroes.
With the formal coaching completed, Dion and Teale took to the water giving the juniors a chance to share a wave with them.
“Development days are such a great thing and I am stoked to be involved” Said Dion.
“It is so valuable for the progression of junior surfing in the state, I wish they had something like this when I was younger.”
The level of surfing shown by the juniors was outstanding. Organised development days such as “Come Surf with a Pro” are great for the development of surfing in South Australia.
Salomae Haselgrove, of Middleton, is currently ranked forth in South Australia in the under 18 girls, she has hopes of one day becoming a professional surfer like Dion Atkinson.
“It was good to be able to work with someone like Dion with so much knowledge and he's taken time out in his break from the WQS to help us” Said Salomae
The development day would not have been possible without the huge effort of Surfing South Australia Development Officer Cheryl Peat, our two surfing professionals Teale Vanner and Dion Atkinson, family and friends and of course the wonderful junior surfers.
Surfing South Australia would like to thank Sport SA-Club One Large Grant for the funds to purchase the rash vests.
Development days are open to everybody, no matter what your level of surfing. If you are interested please see the surfing South Australia website: http://www.surfingaustralia.com/sa/news-details.php?id=564
Come along, bring a smile and be ready to have fun!
Development day junior Alice Gilbert shredding the Middleton Bay left.
Dion Atkinson giving some one on one coaching to Alice Gilbert, one of the states best juniors.
Promising junior Mack Baddack taking Dion and Teale’s advice to the water.
Warm up run along Middleton Bay.
Watch This Space
Event Partners
