The surf is looking up for stoked wave rider 12-year-old Cameron Johnston and his fellow Big Rock Primary School pupils. The youngsters, who were at Brighton Beach last week, will soon be taking lessons on 12 new soft-top surfboards.
School principal David Grant said the surfboards would be used by about 20 pupils in the school's aquatic programme. The 2.7m ''floaty'' boards were made of fibreglass and foam.
The school receives about $8000 a year for its aquatic programme providing swimming, surfing and water-safety lessons and operating the swimming pool.
The programme was part of the curriculum.
Pupils are taught how to swim, surf and boogie board and to use Brighton Beach safely and respectfully.
This month, Saddle Hill Community Board agreed to give $1000 to the programme.
Board member Keith McFadyen agreed with giving the money but said any school curriculum programme should be funded by the Government, not community boards and pupils' parents.
