Meet Cheryl Buck, surf coach and creator of Surfer Girls. Read on, maybe you too maybe inspired to grab a board and learn to surf the waves!

You are the owner and head coach of SA’s original surf school. How long have you been doing this, and what inspired you to head down this path?

I started coaching with Surf Culture Australia in 2004 and bought the business in 2012. I’ve been working in sport, recreation and fitness for most of my working life and when I found there was a surf school, I knew I wanted to get involved. I love teaching and working with people of all ages, I’ve coached in many sports, but this is the absolute best!

Today we wanted to chat to you about the SurferGirls Surf Club. Can you please tell us about the club, why it was started, who it is for?

SurferGirls came about when I was doing some surf lessons and realised that once I’d taught women and girls to surf, they had nowhere really to go with that, no one to surf with and no support. One of the women I taught wanted to join me in setting up a club, so after many meetings and information gathering, plus a couple more helpers, we got SurferGirls up and running in 2009. It has been an amazing journey over the years. So much inspiration and fun from our members. We have all ages, from 6 years to over 60 years. The club is about being inclusive of all abilities, all just wanting to surf with other like-minded surf mad women!

Being a surf coach, you must have seen it all. What’s been your most memorable (good or bad!) experience with beginners.

It’s incredible the amount of joy being a surf coach brings me. I have seen so many variations of surfing! As long as there’s a smile, I’m feeling pretty good. When people get it, they are stoked. That’s the best feeling. A really great moment for me was having a dolphin jump out of a wave right next to one of the women, who had just caught the wave. Huge Stoke! Another highlight was teaching kids from Anglicare. We ran a program for them over summer a few years back, they were so excited, and without Anglicare would not have had the opportunity to surf. And I can’t not mention teaching kids from Royal Society for the Blind. This was truly the most amazing and heart-warming lesson ever. 

We know you are passionate about the Fleurieu region. What is it that makes you proud to live and work here? 

The natural stunning beauty of the region and the feeling of community across various areas. 

Looking back….

Did you grow up on the Fleurieu? If not, how did you end up here?

My parents were among the first 4 or 5 to build a beach house at Silver Sands back in about 1962. We spent every weekend and school holiday at the beach house with our cousins, and families. It was always so much fun. Heaps to do, running amok in the sandhills, building forts, hiking to Sellicks and snorkelling around the reef, big hikes to the scrub, going mushrooming, dragging the net at night, and so much more. So many great memories. I have my own shack at Aldinga, so apart from some time living in Mount Gambier, I never really left the area.

Was there a career before surf coaching?

My first jobs were around office work, accounting, receptionist etc. A timely move to Mount Gambier gave me an opportunity to work in recreation at the YMCA, running camps and recreational sports programs with both kids and adults. I also ran youth leaders programs and started my other passion, fitness. I returned to Adelaide in 1991 to work at Prince Alfred College as the OSHC director, where I stayed for 21 years! I also taught swimming and tennis and worked as an SSO with students with learning difficulties.

On a more personal note, tell us a little about yourself and what you love to do outside of work.

My main sport growing up was tennis. I wanted to play at Wimbledon! Didn’t we all! Tennis took up a lot of time and I played at comp level for about 20 or so years. When my dad died in 1992, I decided to play cricket, in his memory, as he taught me how to play. (He was an A grade player for Prospect Cricket Club). I also started up a new cricket club and was on the board of the SA Women’s Cricket Association at Adelaide Oval. Loved going there for meetings! Three years ago, I started playing tennis again, and I’m loving it. I love to go mountain biking, I play a bit of guitar, read, keep fit, and work at a gym. And I just love to head off in our caravan Wilma, a 1966 classic! She takes us to the Flinders Ranges every year, my other most favourite place in SA.

What is something most people in the region would not know about you?

I’m the state champion in short board and long board surfing! (over 60’s !!!)

YOUR TOP TIPS For our awesome region:

Best place to....

Grab a quick bite… Deep Blue Café, Moana.

Have a more serious feed… Victory Hotel

Get a cuppa… Goodness Coffee Aldinga, Pearl, Zan’s Van Port Willunga

Have a beer (or cold drink)… Victory Hotel or my front deck

Taste some wine (or just enjoy the winery atmosphere)... Angoves, Fox Creek, Maxwells

Go for a dip… Port Willunga, Silver Sands

Explore nature… Aldinga Scrub

When I’m on the Fleurieu and/or KI, I…

feel… at home, at peace, not rushed (unless chasing the tides)

Stock up on… Goodness coffee beans

Best memory of being here: 

Spending my childhood here, with my parents, cousins, aunties and uncles. Had the best times, long lasting memories, so many laughs and adventures.

Most colourful character I’ve run into:

The Barmy Army at Star of Greece Café about 10 years ago! 

My best piece of advice for anyone heading to the region: 

Give yourself time. There’s so much to do and see, you don’t want to rush it.  

Find out more about Surfer Girls HERE

Grab yourself a surf lesson with Surf Culture HERE