18-22 AUGUST 2025
July 2025
Dear Student and Parents/Guardians,
The Surf Development Camp will run from Monday 18 August until Friday 22 August 2025. The camp will comprise of daily surf sessions, which will include lessons, skills and tips, as well as other activities in the Waratah Bay and Sandy Point areas.
The camp will be based at the Surf Lifesaving Club room at Waratah Bay. From this point, we will participate in daily surf sessions, filmed coaching sessions and environmental community service. A program is attached. Please note that changes in the times each day will occur due to the surf conditions and the weather report.
As you are aware, it is a cold time for water activities, so you will need to ensure that your child has appropriate clothing, both for these activities and time out of the water. It is paramount that students adhere to their personal equipment list and ensure that they have at least one 4 x 3 sealed steamer wetsuit for surfing as well as a waterproof raincoat, woollen or polar-fleece clothing for insulation and warmth. Booties and a hood are highly recommended. A comprehensive equipment list is attached. The aim of the camp is for the students to seek expert advice on improving their surfing technique.
The base cost of the camp is approximately $650, which will be processed through school accounts. The cost includes professional coaching, accommodation, transport, breakfast and lunch each day. A small amount of spending money will be necessary for the purchase of dinner on Thursday night and lunch on Friday.
Offshore Surf School provides water safety and surf coaching. Their staff have appropriate water qualifications and first aid. The student-tostaff ratio will be 1:8 while in the water, with the safety and well-being of the students ensured. However, it must be emphasised again that this camp is for students who can already surf and have a good understanding of the ocean.
The group will be travelling by minibus, providing flexibility and reliable access, and we will have an additional vehicle for the safe transportation of gear. The vehicle will be driven by staff members.
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 Andrew Peach Surf Development Camp Coordinator
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Our camp is being held on the lands of the Bunurong and Boonwurrung 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 AND HOMESTEAD WEEK CAMP
• Participation by students in Activities Week Camp and Homestead 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 exceptional circumstances students may apply in writing to the Principal or Deputy Principal for an exemption from Activities Week or Homestead Camp but only where this takes place before the camp ballot closes or any organisation takes place. Permission is usually only granted where it involves a comparable activity and effort by the student (such as a national-level sporting event).
WITHDRAWAL/ABSENTEE CHARGEBACK POST CAMP
• If the student supplies a medical certificate within the week following camp, families will be provided with paperwork to claim the cost of the camp against the school’s insurance fund. Cost of the camp will still be charged to accounts.
• If a student cannot supply a medical certificate, offered no reason for their absence or withdrew from the camp without a valid reason, 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.
NO NUTS POLICY
Important: NO NUTS or NUT PRODUCTS are to be brought on camp, due to the risk of allergic reactions. Check packaging ingredient labels for evidence of nuts.
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 only 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 - 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.
SURF DEVELOPMENT CAMP INFORMATION
CAMP DATES
Monday 18 August until 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 the Surf Development Camp is approximately $650, which will be charged to student accounts. A small amount of money (about $25) will be required to buy dinner on Thursday night.
TRANSPORT
All students will be collected by minibus from Woodleigh Senior Campus. Departure Students must arrive at Woodleigh by no later than 9:00am, Monday 18 August and meet at the Cruden Oval car park to load gear. The bus will leave Woodleigh shortly after 9:00am once the vehicle is packed.
Return Friday 22 August by 3.30pm at the Woodleigh Cruden Oval car park.
LOCATION
Our sessions will take place at a variety of surf locations both on and close to Waratah Bay. Location will depend on the wind and swell conditions.
ACCOMMODATION
Located 50m from Waratah Bay, the huge modern surf club is perfect for our requirements. It has 2 bunkrooms and a large modern kitchen. Students must bring their own sleeping bag, sheets, pillow case and bath towel.
HOUSE RULES :
• All occupants abide by the house rules.
• Facilities are left in a clean and orderly manner.
• No food or drink to be stored or consumed in the bunkrooms.
• Showers to be limited to 3 minutes.
• Bunkrooms are not for socialising and only for the people who are sleeping in each room.
MEALS
Breakfast and lunch will be provided each day. Everyone will be divided up into cooking groups for dinner and will provide and cook evening meals for their group. Cooking groups of 3-4 students.
Note: A small amount of money (about $25) will be required to buy dinner on Thursday night.
ACTIVITIES
Surfing
These sessions are advanced coaching sessions to improve surfing style and technique. This camp is not for beginners. It is assumed that all participants are already at an intermediate level. Students should be able to duck dive, use a rip to access the break, assess the beach for risks and self-rescue. Each session’s focus will differ depending on the participant and what they need to work on.
Dryland training
We will also be participating in dryland training using ripsticks, Smoothstars and other surfskate devices. This will be done under the instruction of Offshore Surf School and appropriate safety gear is to be worn. Students should bring their own helmets for these sessions.
Shapers visit
We will visit a local surfboard shaper and learn about the surfboard making industry. Students will have the chance to talk to a professional shaper.
Coaching sessions
Sessions will begin with the group being briefed on the specific safety issues relating to the location being used. Students will also be briefed on the use of signalling while in the water (e.g. what signal will be given if they need to exit the water quickly). Students will then surf, receiving feedback throughout and post session. Surf sessions will be filmed for later review.
Note: During all surfing sessions coaching and feedback will be provided.
Other activities for days when surf on the Island is not co-operative:
• Search further down the coast – Kilcunda, Powlett River, Cape Patterson etc.
• Cape Woolamai Walk.
• Pyramid Rock Walk.
• Body Surfing.
• Rock pooling.
• Surf rescue.
• Dryland training (surfskate).
CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT
All surfing equipment must be supplied by students, this includes boards (more than one board is OK as long as this is discussed with Mr Peach prior to camp), wetsuits and booties. A SEALED 4/3 steamer is a must, booties and hoods are optional but highly recommended. Your surfboard MUST have a leash. You may want to bring more than one wetsuit if you have one or if you can borrow one for comfort as we will surf more than once each day. Please bring your own wax, fins, board bag and fin removal tools. Students will also be issued a coloured rash vest which is to be worn at all times when in the water.
To reduce the risks of hypothermia, you 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 which provide insulation. Layers of clothing keep you warm by trapping air between them.
• Wool retains most of its insulation value when wet. Wool and polarfleece type clothing are essential for this experience.
• Jeans and other cotton clothing absorb water easily and are very cold when wet. Keep these to a minimum.
• You will be required to bring a stash of warm clothing to the beach whenever we surf. Bring a daypack to carry it in.
• If you are feeling cold, or wish to cut your surf session short, you must have clothing to remain warm and dry on the beach whilst other people finish up.
• Body boards or other beach ‘toys’ for if the surf is not great.
• Ripsticks and Smoothstars or other ‘surfskate’ boards for dryland sessions.
• Helmet for dryland training
Personal Equipment:
• Waterproof jacket with a hood.
• 2 woollen or polarfleece jumpers.
• Thermals.
• Sleeping Attire.
• Beanie.
• Good walking shoes or boots.
• Socks (woollen).
• Sunglasses.
• Warm clothes - tracksuits, jeans, jumpers, skivvies, etc.
• Pack or bag - extra plastic bags for wet gear.
• Day pack - for storing dry clothes/wet weather gear and snacks.
• Water bottles (2 litres).
• Sleeping bag.
• Pillow.
• Pillowcase.
• Single fitted sheet.
• Camera - optional. (No mobiles).
• Towels - 2 or 3.
• Personal toiletries and medications.
• Board games and card games.
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.
MOBILE PHONES
Mobile phones should be left at home and not brought on camp. They will not be required.
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.
In order 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.
