MEET THE COACHES
Summerland Surf School coaches are fully qualified (Surfing Australia Accredited) and Simon and Brett are also Level 2 Surf Instructors which qualifies them to train aspiring professional surfers at the elite level. All coaches have diverse life skills and professions.
| THE COACHES |
 Simon Freeden began surfing at age 11, after spending years racing in junior yachts on Sydney Harbour. He honed his board-riding skills at Long Reef, Collaroy and Narrabeen – the golden trio of Sydney’s Northern beaches. He made his way to Evans Head in 1980 and spent the next decade or so getting acquainted with the area’s peerless waves and developing a successful organic Tea Tree oil business, before starting Summerland Surf School with his wife Lorraine in 1997. A voracious student of both surfing and coastal conservation, Simon completed courses in surf instruction up to the elite level (where he not only teaches but also judges surf competitions) as well as completing an environmental science degree majoring in environmental & coastal management in 2009. Simon’s passion for surfingon the NSW North Coast is matched by his determination that it be respected and cared for, a philosophy he passes along to his students. Simon’s enthusiasm, energy and love for surfing is passed along to his students during the surf lessons with the main emphasis being to HAVE FUN. After  more than 15 years’ service with Evans Head’s Half Tide Boardriders Club, Simon is now a life member. Simon’s passion for water sports has recently seen him obtain his kayak instructors accreditation and together with his wife have begun another new venture, Evans River Cruises & Kayaks commencing in December 2009. A new purpose built cruise boat offers cruises on the Evans River along with optional kayaking along the way. They also offer guided kayak tours and kayak hire. |
 Brett Singleton is Summerland’s lead instructor up the road from Evans Head at Ballina/Lennox Head. Having moved south from the Northern Territory after leaving school, Brett completed his nursing degree at Southern Cross Uni. While at Uni Brett fell in love with the ocean and surfing, and soon added elite-level surf coaching qualifications to his nursing degree. Brett joined Summerland Surf School in 2006 as a Level 1 coach and quickly upgraded his skills to become a Level 2 coach as well. Brett can be found most mornings driving with one eye on the road and the other at the beach trying to track down the best sand banks for his classes. Brett always has a ready smile and is enthusiastic and encouraging with his students. As with Simon, Brett’s aim is to make sure the students have fun. Brett is also an accredited kayak instructor with Evans River Cruises & Kayaks and has a guiding certificate in tourism. Brett has a love for wildlife and volunteers with Australian Seabird Rescue in Ballina. |