Salties return to the sea in 2018

FOR its third consecutive year, The Saltwater Institute has hit Jan Juc beach to run its innovative elite surf school and education program.

Based out of Surf Coast Secondary College and supported by high performance coaches from Surfing Victoria, The Saltwater Institute offers 16 students from Year 7 to 10 the opportunity to participate in seven weeks of surf training combined with a specifically tailored curriculum.

The “Salties” – as the students like to be known – spend the first three hours of each day in the ocean surfing and training, followed by a four-hour block of class-based learning.

Over the past years, the refinement of the program has meant the contributions from supporters, mentors, educators and athletes has skyrocketed.

Director and creator of the unique program Sam Magree said he has been impressed by the calibre of this year’s students both in the classroom and in the water.

“I’m blown away by the standard of the athletes we have in the program this year,” Magree said.

“Seeing the level of their surfing in the State rounds this past weekend is evidence of that.”

Reinforcing the surf coaching from Surfing Victoria’s elite team, mentor and coach Dan Ross once again spent three weeks with the Salties.

Bringing a focus on gratitude and respect, former pro surfer Ross inspires and motivates the young athletes to be the best they can be.

Back in the classroom the students explore environmental science with Linley Hurrell, investigate biomechanics and sport science with Biolab, and focus on personal training skills with Mitch Barrow.

Many of this year’s athletes have completed the program before and 2018 saw the highest number of female participants with half being girls.

Year seven student Mia Huppatz said the transition to The Saltwater Institute for the first time was simple.

“It’s easy to be interested and inspired when you are doing something that you love,” Ms Huppatz said.

Further information about The Saltwater Institute can be found at thesaltwaterinstitute.com or by emailing [email protected].