18-22 AUGUST 2025
BEGINNERS' SURF
July 2025
Dear Student and Parents/Guardians,
The Beginners’ Surf Camp will take place from Monday 18 August to Friday 22 August 2025.
The camp will be based at Torquay Surf Lifesaving Club from which we will participate in a daily surf lesson and other activities including walking and visiting local sites. The aim of the camp is for the students to seek expert advice on surfing and explore Victoria’s Surf Coast.
As you are aware, it is a cold time for water activities so students will need to ensure that they are equipped with appropriate clothing –both for the activities and to wear at the accommodation. The common areas in our accommodation are spacious and can be cool, so it is paramount that students adhere to their personal equipment list. Please ensure the appropriate clothing is packed.
Parents/Guardians, please respond to the Operoo eForm and ensure that your child’s medical information is up to date.
In this booklet you will find further information regarding the camp so please read through this carefully.
If there are any further queries you may have, please do not hesitate to contact me. We look forward to a fun and rewarding week!
Yours sincerely,
Mr Haydn Flanagan Beginners’ Surf Camp Coordinator
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Our camp is being held on the lands of the Wadawurrung people and we wish to acknowledge them as Traditional Owners. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We are grateful to be visiting their land and we recognise their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this land.
POLICY RELATING TO STUDENTS WITHDRAWING FROM ACTIVITIES WEEK CAMP/ABSENTEE CHARGEBACK POST CAMP
Activities Week Camp is a compulsory part of the school curriculum and all students are expected to participate. Bookings and arrangements are made on this expectation.
In the event that a student withdraws from the camp due to medical reasons, the school requires prior written notice accompanied by a valid medical certificate. In such cases, families will be responsible for all non-refundable costs incurred, including but not limited to flights, accommodation, and other pre-paid expenses.
For cancellations due to a change of mind or any non-medical reasons, families will be charged the full camp fee.
SUNSMART POLICY
In keeping with the school’s “SunSmart” approach to outdoor activities, students are required to bring sunscreen, a protective hat (with a wide brim) and to wear tops which adequately cover the skin of the shoulders and back. In the event of swimming activities, students will need “rashies” or t-shirts. Sunscreen is an additional protection - it does not take the place of clothing or shade.
NUT POLICY
On Camp, we request that parents/students avoid bringing food products that contain nuts of any kind. In order to minimise the risk to students with severe allergies.
The school cannot guarantee that the camp environment will be 100% allergen free, hence students with allergies need to remain vigilant in their decisions around any food that they ingest.
EMERGENCY SCHOOL CONTACT
In the event of an emergency, or if you need to urgently contact your child, please do not ring the camp (or your child) directly but rather contact the school during office hours on (03) 5971 6100 or contact after hours on mobile 0482 888 022
RESPOND TO OPEROO EFORM
To enable staff to fulfil their duty of care to students, we need accurate and up-to-date information about medical and personal issues for all students. Please respond to the Operoo eForm and ensure that your child’s medical information is up to date. Any last-minute changes should be communicated directly to the leader of the camp as well as updated on Operoo. We do rely on this information, and parents do have a duty of disclosure, to ensure all relevant information is known.
INFORMATION COLLECTION POLICY
Confidential medical and other sensitive information collected and used for the running of these camps will be handled in line with the School’s Privacy Policy.
POLICY RELATING TO STUDENTS SENT HOME FROM CAMP
Where a student does need to be sent home, for medical, personal, or discipline reasons, they will need to be collected from the camp by their parent/guardian (at their own expense) - they cannot travel unaccompanied. In all cases, arrangements must be made with school and special arrangements may need to be in place for remote camps, i.e. 3 or more hours from school.
EXTREME WEATHER POLICY
We will modify our program based on weather forecasts - we will be in contact with Woodleigh School to review the week’s weather as it unfolds. In the event of a day being forecast to be Extreme (under the CFA Fire Danger Rating system) the program will be modified at the least, to ensure safety in the heat, and evacuation plans in readiness. In the event of a day being forecast to be Code Red (Catastrophic), the program will be cancelled in advance and students evacuated the day before. The School will use SMS and email to communicate with parents in such cases.
BEGINNERS' SURF CAMP INFORMATION
CAMP DATES
Monday 18 - Friday 22 August 2025.
MEDICATION ON CAMP
Any students taking prescription medication on camp will need to provide all medication (in original packaging) to school by no later than Tuesday 12 August 2025. You can drop off the medication to reception or the First Aid Centre anytime between 8am-4.30pm. Before handing in your child's prescription medication, you are required to answer all the questions within the Operoo e-Form.
COST
The cost of this Activities Week Camp is approximately $750, which will be charged to student accounts. The cost includes all lessons, tours, equipment hire and transport. A small amount of spending money will be necessary for the purchase of dinner on Thursday night in Torquay and lunch on Friday in Torquay. There will also be time on Friday to look around the Surf Outlet shops in Torquay, and students are welcome to bring money to spend.
TRANSPORT
The group will be travelling by Rosa bus, and we will have a Hi-Ace bus for the safe transportation of gear. The vehicles will be driven by staff members.
Departure: Students to arrive at Woodleigh at 9am on Monday 18 August, meeting at the main carpark (exit side) to load gear. Please refer to the bus location map at the end of this booklet. We will be leaving Woodleigh by bus at 9:30am, so please be on time.
Return: Students will return to Woodleigh by approximately 4pm on Friday 22 August.
LOCATION
Our surf lessons will take place in front of the Torquay Surf Lifesaving Club. In the event of unsuitable conditions, the lessons may take place at other nearby locations. The beaches selected will have very few hazards.
ACCOMMODATION
Students will be staying at Torquay Surf Lifesaving Club with spectacular views over the ocean. Accommodation is in two separate dorms, with a large recreation room suitable for indoor games, activities and dining. There is also a large kitchen for our use.
Club Rules:
• All occupants abide by the club rules.
• Facilities are left in a clean and orderly manner.
• No food or drink to be stored or consumed in the dorms.
• Showers limited to 3 minutes.
• No use of the lifesaving gear owned by the club.
MEALS
Students are required to provide their own breakfast, lunch and dinner at the times specified on the ‘food planner’. We will be cooking in a well-equipped kitchen with all the usual pots, pans, plates, bowls, utensils and cutlery. Cooking groups of 4 are recommended.
Please be mindful of healthy eating and minimising the amount of pre-packaged food. We will be very active so food should provide you with plenty of energy. Fresh milk, bread, spreads and fruit will be supplied each day.
Some meal suggestions:
Breakfast - Muesli, toast, porridge, cereal, baked beans.
Lunch - Sandwiches, toasted sandwiches, salads, wraps.
Dinner - Pasta or rice dishes, pizza, stir-fries, Mexican (burritos, tacos), curry.
Snacks - Scroggin (no nuts), biscuits, fruit, dips, yoghurt etc.
Students will have the opportunity to visit the supermarket to buy groceries each day, however, we encourage students to bring as many non-perishable foods with them as possible, to minimise the amount of shopping required.
ACTIVITIES
The duration of each lesson is approximately 1.5 hours. Students will assist with equipment, change into wetsuits and do warm-up activities, before being given instruction on beach awareness, safety and water skills. Further instruction and assistance will be given throughout each surfing lesson once the students are in the water.
Surfing
Go Ride a Wave will introduce students to surfing with a focus on working towards a controlled ride when lying prone on the board and be able to stand on the board on a broken wave, through to being able to stand on an unbroken wave and turning.
Walks
Students will walk sections of the Surf Coast Walk along various paths. Sturdy shoes or runners are required on this gentle walk with sweeping views of the coastline.
Fitness
Students will get moving each morning with a stretch and a fitness session designed to ease sore paddling arms and warm students up for their daily surfing lesson.
Chocolaterie
We will have a tasting session followed by the opportunity to make our own Rocky Road.
CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT
Surfboards and wetsuits are provided. The wetsuits are 3/2mm steamers, suitable for year-round conditions in Victoria. Each surfboard has a leg rope, which must always be worn while in the water.
Students must supply their own bathers to wear underneath the supplied wetsuit, a dry towel, sunscreen and a dry set of clothes stored in a bag.
Students may bring their own wetsuit, rash vest, booties and bonnet if desired. Insurance restrictions mean they cannot bring their own surfboard.
To reduce the risks of hypothermia, students must be adequately clothed for the conditions to be encountered. In selecting clothing, remember that:
• In cold weather, the most important items of clothing are those that provide insulation. Layers of clothing keep you warm by trapping air between them.
• Wool retains most of its insulation value even when wet. Wool and/or polarfleece type clothing is essential for this experience.
• Jeans and other cotton clothing absorb water easily and are very cold when wet. Keep these to a minimum.
Personal Gear Checklist
Clothing:
• Backpack/bag.
• Waterproof jacket.
• Scarf.
• Beanie.
• Gloves.
• Thermals.
• 2 x warm jumpers.
• Socks (warm) & underwear.
• House socks/slippers/Ugg boots.
• Warm everyday clothes.
• Sturdy shoes for walking.
• Clothing for the fitness session, including runners.
Sleeping:
• Sleeping bag.
• Pillow.
• Pyjamas.
• Torch (with spare batteries).
Equipment:
• Bathers & rash vest (for under wetsuit).
• Garbage bag (for wet gear).
• Wetsuit, booties, bonnet (optional).
Toiletries:
• Toothbrush & toothpaste.
• Personal items.
• Towel (at least 2).
Surf Camp is NOT a fashion parade! You will only need warm, functional clothes!
DO NOT BRING
Valuables, cameras or any articles that you wouldn't want to lose or break, an excessive amount of money, lollies, or any electronic/ digital devices.
Suggested Items: Cards, board games, books welcome. No electronic devices please!
MOBILE PHONES
Mobile phones should be left at home and not brought on camp. This is a phone-free camp.
RISK
There are elements of risk involved in this camp and whilst safety ratios and requirements will be adhered to, we believe it is important to make you aware of potential risks. These risks include but are not limited to:
• Exposure to cold weather, water and extreme temperatures.
• Soft tissue injuries.
• Drowning.
• Injury due to being struck by a surfboard.
To mitigate these risks - students will be required to have the appropriate safety clothing and equipment (list provided) and we will be using reputable providers to deliver all water-based activities. Staff will be checking the weather and conditions daily and the program may change in the interests of safety if required.
Students will also be required to wear a bright coloured rash vest when surfing so that they are easily identifiable. Staff will carry rescue equipment and first aid equipment.
Locations and breaks chosen will match the ability levels of the students. If the surf is deemed too dangerous, alternative activities will be planned for that day.
BEHAVIOURAL EXPECTATIONS
• As a participant in the Activities Week Camps program, there is a high level of responsibility and expectation with respect to behaviour. All normal school policies apply, in particular:
• Involvement with sex, drugs, smoking, vaping or alcohol is prohibited.
• A preparedness to participate wherever appropriate.
• Safety of all participants is paramount.
Infringement of these policies may result in the student being sent home, at your own expense.
• It is a courtesy to be respectful and positive at all events, even those you personally find less interesting. A good night’s sleep will be essential - being tired will not only affect you but also others on camp.
• Never leave the campsite without the permission of a staff member.
• Each student is responsible for the immediate environment and must keep it tidy and not damage any of the surroundings.
• No-one is to enter anyone else's room before breakfast or after dark. You will only enter someone else's room if the people in that group are there, invite you in and you have obtained permission from a staff member.
Students will be rostered into groups to help with organisation which will include such things as setting out breakfast, lunch and washing up. There are also room and cleaning duties which will be performed every day during the camp along with maintaining individual equipment. Students will have some free time to rest, read and socialise in the lounge. We encourage every student to bring a board game or cards etc. to play with their peers during these down times.
Students are not permitted to eat, watch TV or hang out in the bedrooms. The rooms are only for sleeping, dressing and showering. The days will be long and tiring and therefore some students may wish to go to sleep earlier. We are living in a close group with peers and staff, respecting each other’s privacy and being quiet in the house is of the upmost importance.
At the accommodation, there may be videos etc. that are left for the use of guests. This means that students may be exposed to DVDs and other materials that may be rated inappropriately for their age. Staff will endeavour to minimise this impact by regularly checking and supervising students at the accommodation. The School’s policy governing what students may see, (Policy on Appropriate Material for Public Performances) does affect the camp in that M-rated material may not be shown to students under 15 years of age without prior parental consent. From our experience, many of the DVDs at any accommodation are ones that secondary students can view without being exposed to inappropriate material.
As part of the camp, there will be a movie night scheduled during the week. The movie for that night has not been selected yet. The film could be rated M or PG. However, should you have reservations about allowing your child to view M rated DVDs there will be alternate provisions made.
