Outdoor Education Surfing

By Andrew Willmott | Posted: Wednesday April 1, 2026

Level 2 Outdoor Education students, alongside a number of Level 3 students, recently enjoyed a half-day surfing experience at Warrington Beach on Dunedin’s north coast.

On arrival, the boys undertook hazard identification and discussed key concepts such as positioning themselves to catch waves and how to safely paddle out through the surf. They also practised pop-ups on the sand before heading into the water.

For many, this was their first real experience in the ocean beyond practising in the pool. After some early enthusiasm—often involving attempts at the biggest, steepest waves and the inevitable nose-dives (much to everyone’s amusement!)—conditions began to work in their favour. With an incoming tide producing gentler waves, and improved timing when catching them, the boys quickly built confidence and skill.

By the end of the session, all students had successfully caught waves, with most managing to get to their feet. This experience will form a valuable part of their learning as they prepare for next term’s assessment, where they will reflect on the significance of surfing for themselves, others, and society through a range of sociocultural perspectives.

Accompanying this piece are some photos from the day. A big thank you to surf instructor Toby Bulow for his ongoing support and contribution to the boys’ progress.

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