- School Holiday Programs and Kids Club

Matt Grainger, head coach of Manly Surf School, has been working on school holiday programs from 1983, since he was 13 years old. 25 years later he is still doing it and loving every minute of it. Seeing a young kid stand on a board for the first time is a buzz for the instructor as well as the student.

Matt and his team of instructors run 4 day courses for kids every school holidays, even in winter. All kids are provided with the right surfboard, wetsuit and placed in the right age group to get them having the most fun and learning quicker.

Generally the kids are split into age groups from 5 yrs to 8 yrs, 8yrs to 11 yrs, 11yrs to 14yrs and 14yrs to 17yrs. 17yrs and over surf in the adults classes. Friends and siblings aren’t split up if they don’t want to be. We cater for all the students needs. The classes run for 1.5 hours as we find the kids are starting to tire by the end of the lesson.

Class times are:

7:00am-8.30am
8.30am-10:00am
10:00am-11.30am
11.30am-1:00pm
1:00pm-2.30pm
2.30pm-4:00pm
4:00pm-5.30pm

Cost is $120 for 4 days.

The kids are taught surf safety (rips, shorebreaks, wipeouts), surfing skills, (beginner to advanced), paddling, standing, turning, surf etiquette and how to identify dangers of the ocean. We also teach bodysurfing and surf swimming so the kids know what to do if their legrope breaks.

All staff are trained by Surfing Australia’s and Australian Sports Commissions Level 1 Accreditation Program. All staff are trained in rescue techniques, First Aid and Advanced Resuscitation by Paramedic Jamie Twight (Accidental Education).

Each school holidays a Softboards Australia Soft Surfboard is up for grabs for a lucky student. 20 boards have been given away.

Kids Club