Wadandi Surf

The Wadandi Surf Academy aims to bring South-West Indigenous students together to promote the healthy lifestyle and enjoyment of surfing amongst our first nations people.

Following the vision of Wadandi elders, the late George Webb and Vilma Webb, who strongly believed that Aboriginal communities gained strength through the sharing of culture between themselves and the wider non-Indigenous community, the Wadandi Surf Academy aims to create and develop a pathway program for Indigenous surfers in Western Australia by connecting them with the ocean and their culture.

This new and exciting program has been made possible thanks to a successful partnership Surfing WA, The Department of Local Government, Sport & Cultural Industries, the Undalup Association, Southern Ports & Josh Palmateer’s Surf Academy.

This all-inclusive program will introduce young Aboriginal’s to the benefits of surfing and at the same time reconnecting them with their culture.

Starting with learn to surf lessons and a cultural induction program, led by local custodian Iszaac Webb, the Wadandi Surf Academy’s long term goals to create a sustainable Aboriginal Surfing Academy which hold regular events, delivers dedicated surf coaching programs for Aboriginal people and train Aboriginal judges and officials.

Margaret River’s Josh Palmateer is managing the surfing component of the program and as a former professional on the World Tour from 1988 – 1994 and achieving a career high ranking of 45 in the world. Palmateer hopes to pass some of his surfing knowledge and experience onto this new generation coming through the ranks.

Surfing Western Australia has a long and rich history in providing opportunity for Aboriginal surfers and the Wadandi Surf Academy is a positive step in the right direction for this tradition to continue.

Students from Busselton Senior High School and Margaret River Senior High have been invited to take part in the Wadandi Surf Academy with an overwhelming response to the opening day of the program.

The Wadandi people have a very strong connection to family, sand and the sea. The spiritual bond they have with the land and everything on it is one that is symbiotic. The Wadandi’s knowledge and understanding of their country reflect the deep spiritual and physical connection to country and to places of significance.

The Wadandi Surf Academy is proudly supported by Surfing WA, The Department of Local Government, Sport & Cultural Industries, the Undalup Association, Southern Ports & Josh Palmateer’s Surf Academy. For more information on the Wadandi Surf Academy be sure to contact either Surfing WA or the Undalup Association who will be able to assist.