Uni of Sunshine Coast’s new subject: geography of surfing

The University of the Sunshine Coast has launched a new subject for bachelor degree students, geography of surfing.

Javier Leon, who co-ordinates the new geography of surfing subject at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

In today’s Higher Ed Daily Brief: Uni makes waves, marginal politics

Toe in the water

The University of the Sunshine Coast has bravely launched a new subject, geography of surfing, which it says it believes to be the only one of its kind in Australia. Course co-ordinator Javier Leon says that students will use the Noosa point break, which is conveniently near campus, to study the science of surfing. They will measure wave characteristics using drones and GPS devices.

“By the end of it, we’ll be able to answer questions such as what makes the waves around Noosa so great from a physical perspective,” Dr Leon said.

They will also examine the tourism benefits — “surfonomics” as Dr Leon calls it — including who the surfers are, where they come from and how much money they spend, It will help local businesses better understand surfing’s economic benefits, he says.

Another topic in the course is the impact of climate change on surfing. “For example, southern swells, which push all the sand up the coast, are going to weaken — there’s already scientific studies to show that. We want to understand if there are threats to the wave quality,” Dr Leon says.

Students will also get the change to learn from local legends such as Phil Jarratt, the Noosa Festival of Surfing founder, and Tom Wegener, a surfboard crafter who holds a PhD from the University of the Sunshine Coast in surfboard sustainability. Dr Leon believes the subject will be of interest to students doing degrees in environmental science, management and tourism.

But Dr Leon’s subject is not the only way to get a higher education in surfing. There is Edith Cowan University’s bachelor of science (surf science and technology) located near the waves on the Bunbury campus.

In the money

Bolstered with the extra $41 million in federal funding for courses at its Berwick campus which was announced on Monday, Federation University this morning announced a big redevelopment to accommodate the expected boost to student numbers.

The Berwick campus, which serves low socio-economic areas on Melbourne’s eastern edge, will get added clinical learning space for nurses, a new science lab, an expanded library, more staff work areas and an impressive new front entrance.

Endangered federal Liberal MP Jason Wood, who as the Member for La Trobe represents the area, stood with Fed Uni vice-chancellor Helen Bartlett to make the announcement.

Professor Bartlett thanked Mr Wood, and said he was “instrumental in advocating for the Berwick campus and wholeheartedly supporting the university’s vision”.

La Trobe, in case you haven’t guessed, is a critical marginal seat for Morrison government, won by only 1.5 per cent at the last election.