2515 chats to Austinmer local David Hyslop, who coaches talented teens at Thirroul Beach.
How did you come to be a surf coach?
A good friend asked me if I would be interested in coaching his children. Coincidently, this friend is a professional coach in another sport, so I was able to gain some valuable tips. With a lifetime of experience competing in and watching competitive surfing, I found myself in a great position to share what I had learned. I was never the most talented surfer, but I was very driven, tactical and obsessed with the sport of surfing, so much so that I competed on the world qualifying series for a few years back in the early 2000s, getting right around the top 100 level. Mind you it was much less competitive in those days!
While I was competing, I was studying and, among other things, a surf instructor for beginner surfers. So I had some background in coaching
but, overall, I would say it’s my passion to see kids succeed that led me to start kids surf coaching.
Why is it important to give back to the sport?
Surfing is something that has given me so much joy and positive life experience it is only natural to want to share that experience. Giving back adds true meaning to what we do.
How lucky are kids today! Tell us how perspectives on the sport have changed…
It is a reoccurring conversation amongst the parents just how lucky they are. They are so fortunate, and they don’t even realise it! Today the kids have a coach, they get to see themselves on video, their parents are very supportive and overall surfing is seen as a great activity for kids physically and mentally. This definitely wasn’t always the case.
The first wave I ever caught was at South Narrawallee beach, I learnt to surf in the Mollymook area where my grandma lived. My parents thought the waves were too dangerous around Wollongong and they weren’t surfers, so I was only allowed to surf down the coast. Plus, I could walk to the beach, so it was harder to stop me. Back then surfing was still a pastime, rather than a sport or even career choice, this was especially true in my house. It is so nice to see the perception of surfing change in the community.
Have you seen more girls enter the water?
Absolutely! When I began surfing it was nearly 99% males, now we have multiple female divisions in the local boardriders club, there is the Coal Coast mums surfers’ group (it’s quite funny to watch the mums and dads jostle for surfing time) and at the competitive level the top women surfers are earning equal pay to their male counterparts.
Coaching Zahlia and Shyla Short, it is incredible to see the pathways that have been created by Surfing Australia to nurture future talent. The South Coast has always had a strong representation of female surfers, from Sandie Dryden, Kim Wooldrige and Kate Scarrett to Sally Fitzgibbon and Tyler Wright. Competition aside, drive past Sharkeys any given day and female surfers make a high percentage of bodies in the water.
The Illawarra has given rise to great surfers, and also surf photographers. Who’s your favourite?
This is easy – Ray Collins. I love how Ray took a departure from your standard surf/ocean photography and carved a niche for himself.
Who are some of the juniors you coach?
The kids all surf amazingly … It is hard to say without leaving anyone out… In saying that though, three of the kids I coach just recently became Illawarra champions for their respective age groups. Jesse Fitzgibbon U12 Boys, Taj Air U14 Boys and Zahlia Short U16 girls. Then there is Saxon King: that is a name to remember, he is only five years old, surfs Sandon Point regularly and has all the makings of a superstar.
You’re launching a natural ear drop for surfers – what’s inspired this new venture?
After having surfers’ ear for a long time, I came across “Sassall Surfers Ear” created by local naturopath Darren Sassall. I have been using Darren’s drops for over five years and been able to stay surfing and not undergo any surgery.
After mentioning this to a close friend who tried the drops and had the same experience, we gave some drops to a close friend, professional surfer Nathan Hedge. Nathan has been plagued by ear issues his entire career and since using the drops, his ear issues have subsided.
Nathan’s excitement about the product and his reach amongst the best surfers in the world, coupled with my network and experience in the surf industry, has led us to rebrand and relaunch the ear drops as “H20 – Drops” this spring.
There are four of us involved in the company, we all have full-time careers, so the creation of “H20 – Drops” has allowed us to work on a fun project and stay connected in our spare time.
You’re also a fulltime real estate agent. After work, where are your top 3 places to relax?
Garage Jiu Jitsu, Sublime Point Track and Papi Dulce (love those burgers)
