“As a teacher that is constantly involved in outdoor education and outside instructors, I have never come across an organization as good as yours. Your staff are so passionate, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and helpful. Our students always have a great time, and I have no doubt this is because of the amazing level of professionalism your staff show. As I said, there is no place I would recommend more for an educational experience that Island Surf School.”  

Danny Gwynne - Mt. Waverley Secondary College

"Just wanted to say thanks for the surf lessons last Saturday & Sunday for the Xavier Fathers & Sons. We had a great time & your staff were fantastic. The surf lessons were a highlight of our weekend away."

Damien & Callum Walsh - Xavier College 'Father & Son'

"To the awesome surf instructors at Smith’s beach – a massive thank you from all of us at Girton Grammar school.
The students had a fantastic time surfing in the rain! Thank you for your fabulous enthusiasm, patience and super stylin’ surfing tips!
The student’s highlights were getting to surf beyond the breakers and having ‘cool’ teachers!
We really hope to see you next year!"

Lucy Palmer - Girton Grammar School (Bendigo)

“Taking a group of Karen refugees for a lesson with Island was an amazing experience. These people have known so many horrors in their short lives, and to see them out there with your patient coaches laughing and rolling around in the water was uplifting. The joy and excitement your lesson provided to the children is something I am sure they will never forget, as well as being a great introduction to the compassion, understanding and overall way of life in Australia.”

Suzanne Cooper - Diversitat

"Just a quick email to thank you and your staff for their care, attention, and tuition of our students. Both students and staff said you were very well organised and encouraging. Some students said that ‘standing on the surfboard was the highlight of the camp’ at PIAR. It will be a firm favourite for each subsequent year of our camps at PIAR. I heard that all students achieved some degree of standing on their board, so ‘Well done!’. We really appreciate your efforts on our behalf, thank you."

Lyn McDonald - Warrandyte High School

"This is the most positive, uplifting, inspiring, transformative weekend I have ever attended. I leave much more complete, whole and empowered than when I arrived. My business vision is clear, my personal purpose is even clearer and my belief in myself now ROCKS! Thanks for EVERYTHING Rachel and the team. I just wanted to share this with you because you guys are a huge part of why the participants have all loved this retreat so much. They love going surfing and then they love receiving their certificates afterwards. All five times we have come surfing you have been amazing, so thankyou."  

Rachel Anastasi - Free To Be Me Life Coaching

"Just wanted to thank you all for a fantastic Surf Day that Strathcona girls had on the 8th March. They were talking about it the whole week after, and promoting it to their friends for next year. We look forward to another great day with you next year, and will be sure to book a double session so they can enjoy the surf and your company for even longer! They were stoked with the photos, as was I, and they even tried for an hour on the bus to get on the radio to thank you all for a great day! Great to see Mal in The Age the week after too! A well deserved bit of recognition for the wonderful work and passion you guys all have."

Liesl Woods - Strathcona BGGS

"The kids had an absolutely fabulous time yesterday. Your crew were highly professional and engaging. Talk time and surf time was very appropriate. Brilliant. Will definitely be returning!"

Neil Robinson - Croydon Maroondah College

"To all the staff at Island surf school. Last Thursday my two boys (Geordie (11yrs) and Toby (8 yrs) and nephew and niece participated in a surf lesson at Philip Island. they all had a great time not only on the surf boards but learning about currents and waves. Although I would never take my eyes of the kids whilst in the water I truly believe that you have given them some knowledge that they can use every time the get to the beach. We have been coming to Philip Island now for 6 years with the family and most years someone has had a lesson from the grandpa, parents and now grandkids. Not only do the people having the lesson enjoy themselves but all of us standing in the shallows cheering and taking photos enjoy the experience. I also believe that your staff really do enjoy their job and therefore make the lesson that much more enjoyable. Whilst looking at my photos I noticed the smiles on the faces of the kids and the instructors. It is great to see. Toby was taught by Amber and felt very confident with her instructions and was very excited that she had remembered his name. I will recommend your surf lessons to anyone who goes to Philip Island and I am sure you will see our family again trying their best on the waves. This was money well spent, although we paid for 4 lessons for 4 people, there were smiles on the faces of the entire family."

Emma Hore - Mordialloc

"I would like to thank you all for your care and expert tuition you extended to the boys. They both thoroughly enjoyed their time learning to surf and are still talking about Matt and Sandy. They had to go home for footie training yesterday. They phoned tonight and you can still hear the excitement in their voices when they were talking about their experiences. My sincere thanks for introducing the boys to the magical world of surfing. I am sure at some stage we will be back. I will talk about our experiences at my next Principal’s meeting and will recommend that schools attending a camp on Phillip Island include a couple of sessions in their program."

Kerry Wall

"I wanted to thank the Smiths beach shop people and especially Sandy for the service you gave me and my children during our recent holiday. Sandy was the best-est teacher and we wish you all the best on your career. We had a fantastic time learning how to surf and then practicing what we learnt the following few days. We are very sorry that we don't live closer to the beach as we would love to surf on a regular basis. Keep up the good work."

Steve Sharman

"I had a lesson yesterday and I just wanted to say thank you once again. The guy that served us in the shop was really nice and friendly, and the instructors mad the lesson really enjoyable and fun. They were very professional, easy going and it was easy to feel enthusiastic with their obvious love of the sport and ongoing encouragement. Cheers guys - you all rock!"

Luisa