The 2023 Think Mental Health WA School Surfing Titles are preparing to come to a crescendo this Friday along Perth’s metropolitan beaches, with the State Final set to decide who is the best surfing school in Western Australia.
After ten regional and metro qualifying events held throughout Western Australia over the past month, the state final will bring together 26 high schools’ from Geraldton in the north to Albany in the south, and everywhere in between for what will be an action packed day of surfing and bodyboarding.
Over 60 teams will compete in a safe, relaxed and fun environment, which aims to promote surfing and bodyboarding as part of the modern school curriculum.
The Think Mental Health WA School Surfing Titles is Surfing WA’s largest participation-based events of the year, with close to 400 teams of secondary students pulling their wetsuits and taking part in the state-wide event series.
The Think Mental Health WA School Surfing Titles also provide a unique steppingstone for students to reach higher levels of competition, with qualification for the Australian Junior Surfing Titles awaiting the winning surfing teams.
The top placed surfing teams from Friday’s state final will qualify to represent WA and their school at the Woolworths Australian Junior Surfing Titles on Philip Island, Victoria later this year where they’ll face off against the best surfing schools’ from across the country.
“Over 50 regional and metropolitan high schools have nominated a total of 388 teams this year and we’ve seen some new schools’ taking part and unearthed some exciting new talent in the process,” said Surfing WA Events Manger Justin Majeks. “Most events have enjoyed some great winter conditions, with fun waves and good vibes on offer for the students.”
Margaret River Senior High School has dominated the WA School Surfing Titles in the past and will once again be the team to beat on Friday. Boasting a team dripping in talent and hungry for success, Margaret River Senior High School will be out for a record 18th consecutive Champion School Title when competition gets underway at Trigg Beach on Friday.
Despite Margaret River’s dominance, there are plenty of regional and metro schools tipped to challenge them this year, as schools’ throughout WA have developed strong surf programs through their physical and outdoor education departments.
Surfing WA is thrilled to again join forces with long-term partner Healthway, to deliver the Think Mental Health message to a key target demographic throughout Western Australia. It is through initiatives such as this that aim to educate our members and the community of the importance of both physical and mental wellbeing through activities such as surfing.
Friday’s State Final will commence at 8am with competition set to conclude by 3:30pm, when WA’s Champion Surfing School will be decided for 2023.
For more information on the SunSmart WA School Surfing Titles best sure to check out www.surfingwa.com.au and www.schoolsportwa.com.au. Competitors are encouraged to interact via Instagram: Follow @surfing_wa and use the hashtags #ThinkMentalHealthWA
Regional Qualification Dates:
Great Southern: Tuesday 23rd May – Denmark
Mid West: Monday 24th July – Geraldton
Peel: Wednesday 9th August – Avalon
Bunbury: Thursday 10th August – Bunbury Back Beach
South-West: Friday 11th August – Yallingup
Metropolitan Qualification Dates:
Metro: Monday 14th – Friday 18th August – Trigg Beach
State Final:
Friday 25th August – Trigg Beach
State Final Qualifying Schools:
Albany Senior High School
Bunbury Catholic College
Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School
Bunbury Senior High School
Cape Naturaliste College
Carine Senior High School
CBC Fremantle
Christ Church Grammar School
Comet Bay College
Denmark Senior High School
Duncraig Senior High School
Frederick Irwin Anglican School
John XXIII College
Mandurah Catholic College
Margaret River Senior High School
Nagle Catholic College
North Albany Senior High School
Perth Waldorf School
Prendiville Catholic College
Sacred Heart College
Scotch College
Shenton College
St Hilda’s A School For Girls
St Joseph’s College Albany
St Mary’s Anglican School For Girls
St Stephen’s Duncraig
About Think Mental Health:
The ‘Think Mental Health’ education campaign is part of a comprehensive approach in Western Australia, that aims to build mental health and wellbeing, and reduce mental health issues, with a view to reducing Western Australia’s suicide rate. Surfing WA will collaborate with professional mental health organisations, local authorities and community leaders to develop and implement comprehensive strategies for mental health promotion, awareness, and support within the surfing community. Visit www.thinkmentalhealthwa.com.au for more information about the campaign.
