Posted on: Tuesday, May 10, 2005

School surf clubs tightly regulated

Advertiser Staff

Hawai'i's public high schools are free to create official surfing clubs that can compete with each other, but widespread interscholastic team competitions similar to football and other sports aren't likely in the immediate future, officials said at a Board of Education meeting yesterday.

Concerned about safety and legal liability, the Department of Education has created guidelines to regulate how schools can become involved in surfing.

The requirements for surf clubs are stricter than for other school sports because it is impossible to control the environment in which students surf, officials said.

Among the big concerns are currents and conditions that can change quickly and vary markedly among different surf spots.

The state guidelines require permission from school principals to start surf clubs, and a minimum of three coaches for each club. Each coach must be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid, and must have ocean rescue skills training, officials told the Board of Education.

Coaches must also complete training in legal and cultural issues related to ocean safety.

Students must be certified as junior lifeguards or in equivalent skills in swimming, ocean rescue, ocean safety and CPR.