Surf to Skyline

Every beach kid dreams of becoming a nipper.

The values of a nipper were simple, but mastery was a lifelong journey:

• Find a crew that’s willing to save you when you’re knocked out in the water.

• Find joy in what you do, even when the weather isn’t perfect.

• Respect the environment you enter.

• Tackle the hard things to truly appreciate the easy ones.

With that mantra in mind, my mornings followed a familiar rhythm: 5 a.m. wake-up, training until 7:30 a.m., then a bacon-and-egg roll on the go and a short walk to school. Repeat.

Until one day, it all came to an end. The University of Melbourne was the only place offering early admissions into VET studies for Year 11 and 12 students. My last bacon-and-egg roll, my last walk to school, and even my last day living in my hometown on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

Moving to Melbourne came with some challenges, especially for value one—since the bay doesn’t exactly have waves. But finding a crew and support system? That seemed like a good place to start.

Rainy training days back home meant the sand would firm up, making it easier to run. In Melbourne, the concrete makes running easier all the time. You thought I’d say something bad about Melbourne’s weather, didn’t you? Well, that wouldn’t align with value three, now would it?