Surfing subject makes a splash with students

Taking a hands-on approach to studying the business of surfing means hitting the waves and experiencing the sport firsthand.

Zach Holmstrom and Matthew Wright are lucky they’re doing that on the Gold Coast and not back home in Wisconsin.

Sheboygan on Lake Michigan is known as the “Malibu of the Midwest” and the freshwater surfing capital of the world.

But there is a stark contrast when it comes to water temperature.

On the day Mr Holmstrom and Mr Wright took a surfing lesson at Currumbin Beach as part of their Surf Industries Studies subject, the water was 26C. In Sheboygan, Wisconsin it was 3C.

“When I tell everyone that I’m studying abroad in Australia and I’m taking a surfing class, they’re always like, wow, and are pretty jealous,” Mr Wright said.

His mother encouraged the pair to study abroad after missing out on the opportunity while she was at university. 

“There's been a couple of people that we know from our school who have been here at Bond and loved it, and they obviously recommended it,” Mr Wright said.

But when Mr Holmstrom stumbled across the Surf Industry Studies subject at Bond, the best mates were instantly sold. 

“I actually just found the class browsing through class schedules on the website and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh Matthew, we’ve got to try this class’.

“And I mean, we're in Australia, what’s a more fitting class than a surf class? So, we tried it out.”

The pair are both Business majors, so the elective fit perfectly into their study schedules. 

For Dr Craig Sims, Assistant Professor and lead educator of Surf Industry Studies, watching the students stand up on a board for the first time is his favourite part. 

“That to me was one of the most gratifying parts of the entire semester - seeing the look on their faces when they experienced surfing for the first time,” Dr Sims said.

“Everybody remembers the very first time they rode the ocean’s wave.” 

But it's much more than riding the surf. 

Dr Sims said students who take the class come away with a deep understanding of the surfing industry, and the skills were often transferable.

“Some of them might go and apply what they’ve learnt to the snow industry, rock climbing and other lifestyle and action sports because there is significant overlap in these subcultures.”

Mr Holmstrom said.: “In terms of the business aspect, it’s been awesome to learn about how much marketing plays a role in the industry.

“The industry is huge. It's way larger than I'd ever imagined which in turn means we're learning about the other sides of the industry like sustainability problems and how it impacts the environment.” 

Mr Holmstrom said the knowledge and networks he has gained from the class would support his future endeavours. 

“I'm looking at more like a sales route, so if I could get into a company like Rip Curl, Quiksilver or Billabong as a sales rep, helping promote marketing and sales for them, I mean that would be incredible,” he said.  

“We’ve been able to make a ton of connections in this class through guest speakers and even just the connections Craig Sims has in the industry. 

“I have no doubt, if I needed help getting a role, I could lean on one of those.”

Zach and Matthew have embraced the surfing life, even buying their own board for the few months they are on the Gold Coast.

“We love going to the beach, watching the sunset … it’s something we never get to experience in Wisconsin,” Mr Wright said.

“I don't think we could have chosen a better place to study abroad.”

He said their friends back home, who are still trudging to classes through the snow, were envious.