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Thirty Plus Years of Surfing P.E
Surfing PE originated in 1972 at San
Dieguito high school with coach A.L. Southworth and
the help of enthusiastic students. The program proved
popular and successful and now many coastal high schools
fortunately offer it as an alternative to regular PE.
For years Surfing PE has been scheduled for the early
morning. Recently Torrey Pines high school has decided
to reschedule Surfing PE for later in the day and some
parents are upset about it, sighting several reasons
from their viewpoint.
Concerns that the waves are better for surfing in the
early morning do not hold water. Nature fluctuates,
granted some times the waves are better in the morning
but sometimes equally as often they can be better later
in the morning or afternoon. Tides, swell direction,
wind and conditions determine the quality of the waves
more than a specific time. Surfers should be able to
enjoy wave riding in all conditions.
As for concern that students might be tempted not to
come back to class ? surfing PE is for young adults
not adolescence. Part of Surfing PE is for participants
to learn and take responsibility for being on time and
to make it back to class. It is very important for young
adults to practice being dependable and responsible.
At San Dieguito anyone who was tardy or habitually didnft
come back to class was dismissed from Surfing PE. In
a real life job they would be fired.
Parents and students who are concerned about transportation
should look into car-pooling together. It is a privilege
to be in Surfing PE not a requirement. With lunch time
added to the third and fourth periods surfers will have
more than enough time to get back to school.
The real concern shouldnft be the time rescheduling
but rather the Surfing PE program itself. After all
these years there is still no beginning surfing program.
In math one has to learn algebra and geometry before
going on to physics. Students should have a basic beginning
course where they actually learn something before going
into an advanced surfing course.
Currently students in Surfing PE just surf. There is
no curriculum on oceanography, surfing history, surfing
business or safe surfing fundamentals. Participants
do not learn about rip tides, swell forecasting, surfing
etiquette or anything else. They do not utilize surfing
books to study from or have any homework. Perhaps students
should at minimum learn basic CPR as a requirement.
Surfing PE is doing a disservice to participants by
not teaching anything in this course. Kids who attend
will learn no more about surfing than if they just went
on their own.
Finally the city has determined that for maximum safety
private surfing schools need at least a 5-1 ratio of
students to instructor. High school Surfing P.E.is more
like 30-1. Who is really watching out for the safety
of our children? Maybe the time has come to re-think
how Surfing PE can be improved rather than what time
class happens.
After 30+ years of Surfing P.E., improvements are desperately
needed and long over due for all high schools offering
this course. Surfing P.E. needs to become a valid program
that truly benefits students. Parents concern about
rescheduling should be the very last priority. Developing
a first rate, quality, safe surfing program for beginning
to advanced students where they really learn something
should be everyonefs first concern. Students deserve
real education especially when it comes to surfing.
Sea you in the surf.
The Willis Bros. are surfing experts recognized for
surfing the worlds largest waves and teaching thousands
in Hawaii and California to surf.
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