By Nick Moase

THE ADVANCE

NovaNewsNow.com

“The surfing around here is great,” and Nova Scotia Health Promotion and Protection is encouraging youth to get active.

“A lot of kids are interested in surfing, but they want to try it without buying all the stuff,” said Jeff Norman, who runs Rossignol Surf Shop.

Surf lessons for youth aged 12 to 18 are taking place through the Rossignol Surf Shop in four, two-week sessions this summer.

Participants will learn proper safety and techniques from Isaac Norman and Taylor Connolly, who are on the Canadian Junior Surf Team. Both instructors are first aid certified and one has lifeguard certification.

Surfing has been growing in popularity these past few years, and has become a year round sport thanks to new wetsuit design.

“You go out to Western Head in the winter time and there are waves happening, and you see people out in the water,” said Norman.

It’s low cost as well, added Norman, saying that once you have the board and suit, all you need is a couple of friends and some waves.

The Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotions and Protection provides grants to promote activities for youth.

One of their grants has made the surf lessons possible.

The first of four sessions started on July 5. Each session runs for two weeks, with 20 hours of supervised instruction for the time period. The other sessions will start on July 19, Aug. 2 and Aug. 16.

Boards, wetsuits and instruction are all provided in the $75 fee, along with a surf pass for White Point Beach.

To register for a surf workshop or for more information, contact the Rossignol Surf Shop at 354-7100.