Origins
Sydney Surf School Pty Ltd trading as Manly Surf School, Palm Beach Surf School, Long Reef Surf School and Collaroy Surf School story began in 1982 when Matt Grainger went to the Warringah Council Surf School as a ten year old student with his brother Arnie (both had done a little surfing on a foamie with their brother Tim and their Dad). Two years later Matt got a job as a Junior Instructor and continued instructing through school and University and was eventually promoted to Head Instructor when he was 20 years old.
Matt Grainger
After finishing University studying a Degree in Leisure and Tourism at UTS, Matt worked as Recreation Officer for disadvantaged kids at the Royal Far West Childrens Health Scheme for 4 years. During that time Matt still worked for Warringah Council as the Senior Instructor during School holidays. Matt, Tim and Arnie all competed in events in Australia and a few overseas. All brothers have won a NSW title each, Northern Beaches Titles each, numerous Long Reef titles, with Tim winning an Aussie title. The brothers chased surf in Hawaii, Indonesia, Europe and around Australia in between working.
In 1995 Matt decided to start the Manly Surf School at Manly Beach with Aloha Surf, Tim Hanrahan and former world number 5 Rob Bain. Matt and Damien Warr (current big wave ASL/Oakley 2006 winner) taught all the lessons with only a fleet of 15 surfboards.
In 1997 Matt expanded to Palm Beach and also managed the worlds biggest Wavepool in Sunway Lagoon Malaysia. Matt also became Surfing NSW Coaching Director and Sydney surfing Coach for the NSW Institute of Sport Program, teaching Tom Whittacker (ASP Top 10 2007) and Chelsea Georgeson (2006 World Champ).
Growth
In 2001 Manly Surf School expanded to Collaroy Beach and Long Reef Beach. The school currently has classes everyday at Manly Beach, Palm Beach, Collaroy and Long Reef with up to 30 staff.
In 2004 Matt trained 20 level 2 Coaches for Surfing Brazil. In 2005 Matt was Head Coach for the Mark Richards High Performance Training Camp for Australia’s Best Juniors.
In 2007 Manly Surf School is still one of the top surf schools in Australia due to it’s high staff training, quality equipment (Rip Curl wetsuits, Softboards Australia and Famous Wax products) and choice of excellent surf for learning.
Manly Surf School Today
The school teaches beginners to elite surfers – currently training Australian Champions and World Title finalists such as Laura Enever and Davey Cathals.
The school prides itself on having instructors that love surfing, that have and still do surf in surfing contests, and have a natural enthusiasm whilst teaching surfing. A high percentage of the instructors are current and ex-professional surfers.
Matt and his team love nothing better than surfing big, perfect waves together at home and overseas. So grab that wetsuit, wax up your board and hit the surf with us.
Happy Surfing!
