When I started Year 7 at Narrabeen High School I became friends with a group of girls from different schools in the area. One of them lived in a house right at North Narrabeen beach and every weekend and holiday we would hang at her house. At nights we slept, three up and two down in her old double bed and during the day we hung out with the people at the beach. These people were all ages and came from different areas and walks of life but the one thing we all had in common was the love of the ocean.
I moved to Australia from England when I was seven and like so many people who move to Australia I had no relatives here except for my immediate family, so my friends were an important part of my life. My friendship with this group of girls has maintained over the years and it was the joy of having such strong friendships that became one of the themes I wanted to convey in the book.
Surfing in the 1970s was a great time for the sport because the world circuit was just kicking off and Narrabeen beach hosted an international surfing competition which brought a lot of surfers from around the world to compete. There were always new faces around, lots of great surfing happening and plenty of parties.
As soon as I finished school I started travelling and ended up living in Paris and London for six years. I didn’t realise how much I’d miss the ocean until I moved to Paris. When I first arrived it was the middle of winter, the sky was always grey and it got dark at about four in the afternoon. Each night I’d dream of walking along one of my favourite beaches near Crescent Head on the mid-north coast of NSW. There were many fantastic things I discovered about living in both cities but I really missed the big blue sky and the open spaces and in particular the sound and smell of the sea.
Writing Surf School was the most fun I've had without getting my feet wet. It combines the years I spent hanging out at the beach when I was a teenager, my love for the beach and ocean, and the fact that so many girls are now taking up surfing as a sport and killing it!
I moved to Australia from England when I was seven and like so many people who move to Australia I had no relatives here except for my immediate family, so my friends were an important part of my life. My friendship with this group of girls has maintained over the years and it was the joy of having such strong friendships that became one of the themes I wanted to convey in the book.
Surfing in the 1970s was a great time for the sport because the world circuit was just kicking off and Narrabeen beach hosted an international surfing competition which brought a lot of surfers from around the world to compete. There were always new faces around, lots of great surfing happening and plenty of parties.
As soon as I finished school I started travelling and ended up living in Paris and London for six years. I didn’t realise how much I’d miss the ocean until I moved to Paris. When I first arrived it was the middle of winter, the sky was always grey and it got dark at about four in the afternoon. Each night I’d dream of walking along one of my favourite beaches near Crescent Head on the mid-north coast of NSW. There were many fantastic things I discovered about living in both cities but I really missed the big blue sky and the open spaces and in particular the sound and smell of the sea.
Writing Surf School was the most fun I've had without getting my feet wet. It combines the years I spent hanging out at the beach when I was a teenager, my love for the beach and ocean, and the fact that so many girls are now taking up surfing as a sport and killing it!
SURF SCHOOL REVIEWS:
I really enjoyed the adventure, seen through the eyes of the young surfer girls whose characters have very similar dreams and aspirations to me. The strength of their friendships really shone through, and they filled each other with great support and determination.
Stephanie Gilmore
World Surfing Champion 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed reading of the mishaps and adventures that the surfer girls got up to. I would recommend anyone of any age to read this book. Be they a girl or a boy, a surfer or not, I can give you my assurance that you will have a good time. The storyline and plot is clear and concise, and once you pick up the book, you will have a hard time putting it down! I would give this book an 8/10.
Darryn, aged 14, Canberra, Australia
The Manly Daily ****
If you are looking for a good read for 12-16 year old girls that don’t like to read fantasy or sci-fi, then here is a new book that may well fit the bill. Surf School is an exciting debut by a local author aimed at the younger teenage market. Laurine Croasdale spent her teenage years hanging out on Sydney’s northern beaches and her local knowledge really shows. Surf School is a well-written and fast paced story of four teenage friends - Tilly, Fran, Marlee and Pink - who are united by their love of surfing but whose friendships are tested by a series of events over the course of the summer. Young surfers will devour this very accessible story, but you do not need to be 15 or a surfer to enjoy this universal tale of mateship and family. What is so refreshing about this book is the way that the characters are so interesting and honest. These girls are very inspiring role models and the strength of their friendships really shines through the book. I would highly recommend Surf School as a summer read for teenage girls.
Coolermag
This book would particularly appeal to girls with a keen interest in surfing, yet boys and non-surfers would undoubtedly enjoy this great read. Once picked up, it’s difficult to put down…
Magpies Magazine
…In fact, on the whole, the relationships portrayed are mostly positive with characters employing constructive but realistic strategies for dealing with problems. This is not to say that all is bliss and Blyton-esque, just that the characters work well through major and minor crises. All of them grow as the summer and the story pass and it will be interesting to see if a sequel is to come. All in all, a most enjoyable book for readers 12 years and up.
I really enjoyed the adventure, seen through the eyes of the young surfer girls whose characters have very similar dreams and aspirations to me. The strength of their friendships really shone through, and they filled each other with great support and determination.
Stephanie Gilmore
World Surfing Champion 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed reading of the mishaps and adventures that the surfer girls got up to. I would recommend anyone of any age to read this book. Be they a girl or a boy, a surfer or not, I can give you my assurance that you will have a good time. The storyline and plot is clear and concise, and once you pick up the book, you will have a hard time putting it down! I would give this book an 8/10.
Darryn, aged 14, Canberra, Australia
The Manly Daily ****
If you are looking for a good read for 12-16 year old girls that don’t like to read fantasy or sci-fi, then here is a new book that may well fit the bill. Surf School is an exciting debut by a local author aimed at the younger teenage market. Laurine Croasdale spent her teenage years hanging out on Sydney’s northern beaches and her local knowledge really shows. Surf School is a well-written and fast paced story of four teenage friends - Tilly, Fran, Marlee and Pink - who are united by their love of surfing but whose friendships are tested by a series of events over the course of the summer. Young surfers will devour this very accessible story, but you do not need to be 15 or a surfer to enjoy this universal tale of mateship and family. What is so refreshing about this book is the way that the characters are so interesting and honest. These girls are very inspiring role models and the strength of their friendships really shines through the book. I would highly recommend Surf School as a summer read for teenage girls.
Coolermag
This book would particularly appeal to girls with a keen interest in surfing, yet boys and non-surfers would undoubtedly enjoy this great read. Once picked up, it’s difficult to put down…
Magpies Magazine
…In fact, on the whole, the relationships portrayed are mostly positive with characters employing constructive but realistic strategies for dealing with problems. This is not to say that all is bliss and Blyton-esque, just that the characters work well through major and minor crises. All of them grow as the summer and the story pass and it will be interesting to see if a sequel is to come. All in all, a most enjoyable book for readers 12 years and up.
Girlfriend Magazine Top Summer Reads ****
Surf School
Four different surfer girls - Tilly, Fran, Marlee and Pink - are doing their best to help Tilly’s dad keep his struggling surf school open for the summer. And considering the girls are fully distracted in their own adventures (you know, like boys and shopping), that’s not going to be as easy as it sounds! Based on the author’s own teen years in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, the novel’s classic Aussie setting is super familiar! A great read.
Reading Time
As the endorsement on the cover from surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore says, ‘Great easy reading for any age, surfer or not.’
SURF SISTER REVIEWS:
The title says it all, Surf Sisters, the characters develop like friends, the dialogue is fun for all ages without seeming contrived and it was just a pleasure to read. Each page kept me guessing and wanting more. Everyone who reads this will feel like they are a part of the surf scene. Surf Sisters is the best girls surf novel I’ve read. I loved it!"
Sally Fitzgibbons
World Junior Surfing Champion 2008
Surf School
Four different surfer girls - Tilly, Fran, Marlee and Pink - are doing their best to help Tilly’s dad keep his struggling surf school open for the summer. And considering the girls are fully distracted in their own adventures (you know, like boys and shopping), that’s not going to be as easy as it sounds! Based on the author’s own teen years in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, the novel’s classic Aussie setting is super familiar! A great read.
Reading Time
As the endorsement on the cover from surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore says, ‘Great easy reading for any age, surfer or not.’
SURF SISTER REVIEWS:
The title says it all, Surf Sisters, the characters develop like friends, the dialogue is fun for all ages without seeming contrived and it was just a pleasure to read. Each page kept me guessing and wanting more. Everyone who reads this will feel like they are a part of the surf scene. Surf Sisters is the best girls surf novel I’ve read. I loved it!"
Sally Fitzgibbons
World Junior Surfing Champion 2008
This website is designed and maintained by Elleldi Studios 2008 www.elleldistudios.com.au
TEACHER'S NOTES
To download the PDF file, please click on the link below:
Surf School Teachers' Notes
To download the PDF file, please click on the link below:
Surf School Teachers' Notes
HOW TO BUY THE BOOKS
Surf School and Surf Sisters are available from bookstores and www.amazon.com
Surf School and Surf Sisters are available from bookstores and www.amazon.com