Local school helping surfers stay safe in waves
Salt Spray Surf School on Ōhope Beach celebrates its 21st anniversary this summer. For owner Ollie Dobbin, teaching people how to surf and stay safe in the waves is more than a job, it’s a way of life.
Surfing fanatic Ollie Dobbin says there’s no better feeling than teaching someone how to surf.
The 24-year-old instructor, born-and-raised in Whakatāne, runs the popular Salt Spray Surf School on Ōhope Beach.
“There’s a reason why I'm such a happy-go-lucky guy – it’s because I get to see that moment on someone’s face every single day,” he says.
“It’s not just kids but all the way up. The oldest person I’ve taught to surf was 78 and we got her standing up on a surfboard. When people realise they can surf, it’s an amazing moment.”
Ollie says far too many people sit on the beach and watch surfers from a distance. They write themselves off and never give it a go.
“They don’t really understand the feeling a surfer experiences when they catch a wave – it’s incredible. It’s doing something that’s bigger than you.”
Ollie has run the Salt Spray Surf School for seven years. In October last year, Ollie and his partner Rique Brown founded the Takutai Adventure Company, which parents Salt Spray Surf School, Dream Bean Coffee and Takutai Adventure at the Wharf.
Salt Spray has been a permanent fixture on Ōhope Beach for 21 years, which makes it one of the longest-running surf schools in New Zealand. It was established in 2003 by local surf legend Bevan ‘Beaver’ Porter and his partner Yvonne.
Ollie is proud to continue the legacy and contribute to his home community.
“We’ve got a unique community around the surf school in Ōhope Beach. Beaver still lives up the driveway opposite us, so we interact with him every day,” he says.
“The person who owned it after Beaver and before me, Debra Cederman, has moved back, and she’s working for me again.”
Ollie says every instructor at Salt Spray, bar one from England, are all local surfers who’ve grown up in Ōhope Beach.
“It’s a locally-owned, run and operated kind of business and that means a lot.”
‘Surfing isn’t just a sport – it’s a lifestyle’
Ollie has come full circle. He learned how to surf at Salt Spray Surf School when he was nine. He fell in love with the sport and hasn’t looked back.
He’s also carrying on the legacy of his parents, who are both teachers.
“I’ve loved teaching as well and mixing those two passions – being a surfer and loving the ocean, and then being able to pass on some of my experience to other people. Surfing is a sport but it becomes a lifestyle.”
The affable instructor has some simple advice for anyone keen to give surfing a go.
“You don’t want to be one of those guys sitting on the beach, trying desperately to get a tan, and looking at surfers going, ‘Man, I wish I could do that.’ There’s no excuses, give it a go. It will change your life.”
Ollie says there’s so many things he loves about surfing.
“It’s good for your mindset, it’s good for exercise and it’s a sport for life. We also teach people a lot about ocean safety, so they know how to manage the conditions.”
Danger lurking in the waves
In 2023, ACC accepted 5,582 surfing-related injury claims, which came at a cost of $13.3 million to help people recover.
The Bay of Plenty region had the second-highest number of surfing-related injuries in 2023 (764 ACC claims), behind Auckland (1,328). These injuries cost $2.5 million to help people recover.
ACC Injury Prevention Leader James Whitaker has surfed for 30 years. He says anyone who enters the surf needs to respect the ocean.
“The ocean is beautiful and provides a lot of joy – but it’s also bigger and more powerful than any of us and needs to be respected,” he says.
James says it pays to take a moment before you get stuck in.
“Monitor the conditions and risks before you get out there, then take the safest options. If you’re in doubt, finding something else to do might be the best option,” he says.
‘Have a hmmm’ before your surf
Ben Kennings, Chief Executive of Surfing New Zealand, says there are more than 300,000 recreational surfers in Aotearoa.
He says surf schools across Aotearoa play an important role in introducing people to the sport. Ben encourages New Zealanders to give the sport a go but they need to make sure they surf at their skill level.
“Surfing is awesome, but we need to acknowledge our sport does have its dangers. It’s about knowing how to minimise the risks and that comes with experience.”
Ben says people have a world of information on their phones and it’s a good idea to use it.
“Assessing the conditions in front of you is great and understanding forecasts helps you make more informed decisions – be that the predicted wind, swell or tide times,” he says.
“While most people try to avoid crowded line-ups, it’s important to surf with others too. If you get into difficulty or get injured, another surfer can assist you to shore or call for help.”
“Plus, surfing is more fun with mates.”
Surfing by the numbers
- There are more than 300,000 recreational surfers in New Zealand
- In 2023, ACC accepted 5,582 surfing-related injury claims
- In 2023, the Bay of Plenty region had the second-highest number of surfing-related injuries (764 ACC claims), behind Auckland (1,328)
- There are 27 approved surf schools across New Zealand to help people learn to surf
More information is available on the Surfing New Zealand website.
