The
Catholic Weekly
Online
Sydney
18 January 2004
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Nicola’s search for the perfect wave . . . at Bronte
College put George in volleyball’s courta
Nicola’s search for the perfect wave . . . at Bronte
Nicola Atherton in action – following her dream of riding the perfect wave at Bronte, the Sydney beach which has been “such a big part of my life”
By Damir Govorcin
Like all surfers, 17-year-old Nicola Atherton is searching to ride the perfect wave.
Nicola, who has just completed her HSC at Brigidine College, Randwick, hopes one day to achieve that feat at her home beach at Bronte in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
“
There’s a special atmosphere about Bronte Beach,” she says.
“
It’s home to a close-knit group of surfers and I feel so comfortable
surfing there.
“
Riding the perfect wave at Bronte Beach … that has a nice ring to it.”
Nicola is a self-confessed “water baby”, having spent all her life just a short walk away from Bronte Beach.
“ I have always hung out with friends at the beach which has been such a big part of my life,” she says.
Nicola is a talented surfer in her own right and a recent third place
finish in last year’s national junior titles has qualified her to compete in
the world junior championships in Tahiti this year.
Her dream is to become a professional on the women’s circuit in the next
few years, following in the wake of champions Pam Burridge and Layne Beachley.
Nicola first surfed when she was 13; she has been consumed by the sport ever since.
“ I thought I would give it a go and I was immediately hooked,” she says. “Every day before and after school I would go surfing.”
Nicola was named last year as one of the NSW recipients of the Baron Pierre de Coubertin Award, recognising her participation, leadership and outstanding sportsmanship. (The award, established by the Australian Olympic Committee, is named after the founder of the modern Olympic Games.)
She was also a nominee last year for the Bradley Matthews Memorial Award for sporting excellence.
Nicola, who has competed at four NSW junior surfing titles, was a finalist last year. She also won the NSW All Schools individual title.
She has competed in NSW, WA, Victoria, Queensland and Bali. Her next focus is the world junior titles in Tahiti.
“ I’m excited about visiting a new country and seeing how I compare against the world’s best junior surfers,” she said.
Nicola fulfilled one of her dreams when she met her idol, six-time world champion Lisa Andersen, during a competition at Philip Island last year.
“
I was introduced to Lisa and was completely speechless,” she said. “I
have idolised her and by watching her I hope I can improve my technique.”
Nicola hopes to defer her university studies for
a year so she can concentrate on her surfing.
“
I was well-prepared for the HSC so I have got my fingers crossed that I will
get a place at university,” she said.
“
Although I studied hard, I still found time to go for a surf. Surfing actually
helped with my study because it relaxed me and helped ease my stress.”
Brigidine sports co-ordinator Kate Emerson says Nicola was an inspirational school leader and sports captain.
“ The younger students looked up to Nicola, who encouraged them to achieve their best in the sports arena,” said Kate.
Nicola hopes to be on the women’s world circuit by next year.