26 March 2025
After almost three decades away, Cowaramup Primary School have donned their wet suits and caught some waves in a welcomed return to surfing competition.
The Cowaramup students participated in the 2025 South West Interschool Surfing competition, competing in the event for the first time since the Gracetown cliff tragedy in 1996.
Students hit the waves, returning to the local school competition.
They provided tough competition for surfers from Margaret River Primary School and Dunsborough Primary School.
Cowaramup principal Jamie Adair said it was a great day for all three schools and that it was fabulous to see the students compete again, as surfing is a way of life for many of their students.
“The competition was a blast, it was an amazing day with a solid eight-foot (approximately 2.5m) swell rolling in, providing some rippable walls at Inside Grunters, being the contest site,” Mr Adair said.
“The competition promotes fun and safety with students surfing in mixed teams, gaining points for their school.”
Mr Adair believes surfing is a great sport for students, as they get to challenge themselves, learn confidence, water safety and swimming skills, and form connections with students from other local schools.
Cowaramup Primary School had a great time competing against Margaret River and Dunsborough primary schools.
Year 6 student Oscar Cawley had so much fun competing in sand statue building and surfing. The thing he loves the most about surfing is getting in the water and having fun.
“It was good to come together with all the schools,” he said.
The surfing competition was significant to the local community as it was the first time Cowaramup students have taken part in a surfing competition since the 1996 tragedy.
The event was officially opened by Keeleigh Bremner, son of Ian Bremner, the Cowaramup principal killed at Gracetown along with eight others.
The trophy, designed by local arts Ian Thwaites and Sarah Scheltema, went home with Margaret River after taking out the top spot. Dunsborough came a close second, followed by Cowaramup.
“Fittingly, the inaugural trophy for this event made from local timbers, depicts the iconic surf of Margaret River with nine blue stars etched into the wave to remember our past,” Mr Adair said.