www.surfersrescue247.com and register for the course. Surfing NSW’s Indigenous Surfing Program saw approximately 70 Indigenous youths from as far away as Inverell take part in the day-long course at Flynns Beach, in which participants were educated on reading surf conditions, paddling, wave negotiation and sun smart behaviour. Under the guidance of Port Macquarie Surf School’s Wayne Hudson, all competitors were taken through a range of surf techniques as well as a learn-to-surf lesson. “There were kids who came from as far away as Coonabarabran and Inverell and a lot of those kids had never seen the water,” said Hudson. “Over the course of the day we taught kids how to assess rips and dangerous surf conditions as well as learning the basics of surfing. All the feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive.” In 2013, Surfing NSW will be hosting the Indigenous Surfing Program (ISP) for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The Surfing NSW ‘ISP’ aims to attract large numbers of young indigenous communities to beaches throughout the state. The program promotes health, enjoyment and wellbeing through surfing and ocean safety awareness, bringing positive education to remote and local indigenous communities. With participation increasing rapidly each year, Surfing NSW is excited about the continued growth and development of participants through the program. IMAGE: Darren O’Rafferty instructs a Surfers Rescue 24/7 course at the 2013 Australian Surf Festival. MANDATORY IMAGE CREDIT: Nikon/Prada – SNSW]]>