The South Australian Junior State Surf Team came together for a two-day training camp on the South Coast, as preparations continue for the upcoming Australian Junior Surfing Titles at Margaret River in Western Australia later this month.
Led by coaches Christian Lock and Poppy Sweetman, the camp focused on competition preparation, adaptability, heat strategies and developing a better understanding of the four-surfer priority system.
Training sessions were held at Middleton on Saturday and Waitpinga on Sunday, providing two quite different sets of conditions. The changing surf allowed the juniors to work on their wave selection, positioning and decision-making, while learning to adjust their approach to suit the conditions.
The program also covered mental preparation, time management, judging criteria and some key technical aspects of surfing, with an emphasis on making good decisions under pressure and getting the most out of each heat.
One of the most pleasing aspects of the weekend was the attitude and enthusiasm of the junior surfers. They were focused, engaged and particularly receptive to coaching feedback. It was great to see how quickly they were able to take on suggestions and put them into practice in the water, with some noticeable improvements in their surfing throughout the weekend.
The camp provided a valuable opportunity for the team to build on their competitive skills, gain experience in different conditions and continue their preparations for Margaret River.
Coaches Christian Lock and Poppy Sweetman were extremely pleased with the commitment shown by the surfers and the progress made across the two days.
