THE Phillip Island Board Riders Club (PIBC) recently concluded a six-week male and female junior development program under the guidance of Luke Archibald of local Surf coaching business Archie Surf, Luke also a Phillip Island Board rider for over 30 years and parent of up-and-coming talent Lennox.

The Groms were guided through an intense six-week coaching program that was held between Cape Woolamai and Smiths Beach over the last six Sundays that went for two hour duration. The training sessions began and ended with each child progressing through an individualised program based on their skill level and progression rate. They were sent video analysis from each session the following day to reinforce the weeks coaching focus and to nurture their skills. Each child had something to build on before the next session and this saw their focus and confidence flourish over the duration of the program.

The foundations learnt in these programs will help these kids build a sound surf community to support each other, both on the land and in the water as leaders in surf skills, safety and etiquette in the water.

Any onlooker can see the formation of lifetime friendships through the ocean and the club. The kids will now move forward in the short term focusing on their path and keeping each other company in the water through the harsh winter months with the common goal of absolutely ripping into the 2024/25 season.

PIBC supported over 14 children into this program to push our emerging talent and support not only their surfing development but also their personal development in resilience, learning and teamwork and water safety. 

The Phillip Island Boardriders club is grass roots community sporting club and has been reliant on community support and is extremely grateful of the support of organisations such as the San Remo Bendigo Bank and Bang Bang restaurant among other local businesses for programs like this and is looking forward to successful partnerships in the future.