Over the course of the last three school years, a group of students at different high schools in St. Johns County, Florida have been working towards creating school-sponsored surf “teams.” The ultimate goal of these teams was to form a network of high school aged surfers in the county, as well as to hold out-of-school team surfing competitions (with no assumed liability for the schools).  We were able to hold three successful contests last year and two more this year before we were told that we could no longer compete. This decision was handed down from the school board to the principal of St. Augustine High and consequently to the St. Augustine surf team. However, I recently emailed the superintendent of the school school board regarding this decision and he stated that the surf teams are purely under the discretion of each school’s principal, athletic director, and team sponsor. (The email is attached in the links section to the left). We feel that as a coastal community it is only fair to allow students to participate in activities that positively impact them and that they enjoy. Californian and Hawaiian schools view the issue in the same manner and many of the coastal high school in those regions compete via the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA); Florida students should be allowed to persue high school surfing as well.   

            Before we approach the aforementioned administration officials we would like to be able to show that we have the support of the community (who are consequently tax payers and voters in the county). As a result, we would greatly appreciate your signature and support on this issue!

Feb 28, 2009 contest #2