Illawarra rips through first Australian Interschools Surfing Championships

In a close contest, Sammy Lowe of The Illawarra Grammar School (TIGS) took out the Seniors Boys Individual Title by 0.05 points at the Australian Interschools Surfing Championships on the Gold Coast.

Held from May 22 to 24 at Surfers Paradise, the inaugural interschools event gave surfers all over the country a chance to compete against the very best.

TIGS also placed in the team categories for the Illawarra, with both their junior boys and senior boys' teams reaching the semifinals.

“We had two teams, who were both supporting each other when the others were on,” said Adrian Deck, head of sport at TIGS.

“Especially for the junior boys, to have the older boys rooting them on, it was a really good showing of leadership.”

Palm Beach Currumbin State High School received the overall school winners trophy.

“The calibre of surfer that was at this event was very high,” said Ben Deans, head of the surf program and also a science and marine studies teacher at Bulli High School for the past 12 years.

“Some of those Gold Coast-based teams were very strong and had really good surfers.

“It was awesome to get up there and for our guys to see what level they're surfing at and use that as motivation to improve our surfing.”

Aside from some wind and a tough tide on the 24th, the weather was good.

“All surfers have to compete in the same conditions, regardless of how challenging or easy they are,” said Geoff Latimer, director of surfing at Illawarra Sports High School.

“We're lucky the weather was nice in regards to the sun, the waves were OK and definitely contestable.”

Illawarra Sports High School had solid results, meeting their standards. The junior boys’ team earned 3rd place in the under-16 category and Alice Hodgson placed fourth in the junior girls’ final, despite a knee injury cutting her competition short.

“We have some pretty high goals and standards that we'd like to achieve,” said Geoff.

“We’re very pleased with our results but I think we still would have liked to do better.”

Despite its relatively new surf program, Bulli High School led an impressive campaign. Both their junior and senior boys' teams reached the semifinals, while the senior girls secured a commendable 3rd place finish.

“Bulli's had a really strong surfing culture for a long time,” Ben said.

“It did show the depth of talent that we've got coming through Bulli High, which is really encouraging, particularly in the girls.”