Surfer working to continue legacy of Indigeneous Boardriders club, paving the way for future talent
THREE decades after the La Perouse Indigenous Boardriders first took to the break at Bare Island, a local who grew up as part of the group is working to sustain it for future generations of surfing talent.
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SURFING the Bare Island break is not just a past time for Shaun Longbottom — it’s a legacy.
Three decades after his father and uncle re-established the La Perouse Indigenous Boardriders Club, Mr Longbottom is working to breathe new life into the group, and sustain it for future generations.
That dedication has earned him this week’s Local Sports Star nomination in the Service to Sport category.
“The club has a lot of history behind it — it’s been activated and deactivated on and off for the last 30 or so years,” Mr Longbottom said.
“It started back in 1959 as the La Perouse Surfing Association, they were partnered with the health department and did surf trips and things, but that folded somehow.
“When I was around ten years old, my father and a group of his family and friends started it up again and it was really successful for about five or six years.
“We would travel to surf competitions and do trips away ... but we were never able to get the opportunity to run monthly comps like the Southenders and other local clubs.”
Mr Longbottom is now working to change all of that, with the aim of delivering more opportunities for local youth.
“I’m trying to get these kids back into surfing again and develop new programs and mentor them,” he said.
”Some in the local area are hitting drugs at a young age — they have the potential to do great things, but no-one can harness that.
“If you look at the pro tour there are no indigenous surfers, but there are a lot of free surfers out there who have the ability to probably be up there, that would be pretty cool.
“In the AFL and NRL they have indigenous rounds and do a lot to support those players, but there is nothing like that in surfing, so I’m trying to promote that and build up interest inside our community and others.”
The club currently has six directors and young surfers engaged in activities including surf and culture camps at the Royal National Park, where the kids also learn ocean awareness and go diving and fishing.
“We went down to Bells Beach in Victoria recently and just from that, the interest doubled and we had about 40 members sign up,” Mr Longbottom said.
“I’ve been speaking with Randwick Council about trying to get regular competitions started at Maroubra Beach ... we’re looking at running some test competitions in September and January.
“I’ve also registered us as a small corporation so we can apply for funds and grants from the government.
“It’s pretty intense — we’ve got four kids and a puppy and it’s taking up a lot of my time but I’m really passionate about it, and something I really want to succeed and be sustainable.
“I know we can get there.”
The La Perouse indigenous Boardriders Club has joined with the Australian Sports Foundation to try and raise $50,000 to support junior participation growth programs, athlete and team travel costs, high performance programs and clubhouse facilities upgrades.
If you’d like to help visit asf.org.au/projects/la-perouse-boardriders-indigenous-corporation/
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