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Surfing, Mateship, Romance, Identity & Growth The Adolescent Beach Experience

Since Australia's population is concentrated along the coastal fringes, summer for many adolescents is associated with sun, surf and sand. School leavers flock to Rottnest, Dunsborough, Surfers and Lorne. The beach is where the gang gathers, friendships are made and broken, summer romances bloom, surfing prowess is demonstrated, and where teenagers may experiment with sex, alcohol and drugs.

In many cases the beach is where aspirations, values and identity are formed. It is also a place where those struggling with personal or family problems may find solace and the strength to cope.

Immerse students in oceans of stories that explore the contemporary adolescent beach experience. There are many available ranging from the still confronting Puberty Blues, written by Kathy Lette and Gabrielle Carey in the 1970s, to the works of Tim Winton, which evoke his love of the coastal landscape and ocean.

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Where should I start?

• Select the Overarching Learning Outcomes you want students to work towards.
• Scan Literature-Based Learning Ideas
• Browse the list of Focus Books
• Search the CMIS Resource Bank for a complete list of related stories:
  • Ocean - Fiction
  [Use the Early Adolescence restrictor to just see titles appropriate for this phase. Some titles for Middle Childhood may also be suitable.]
• Investigate the CMIS Ocean Pathfinder to find nonfiction print and digital resources to support the topic
• Develop your literature-based program.

Literature-Based Learning Ideas   Students can: Identify & discuss common elements in the Focus Books. Compare and contrast how beach culture is depicted in two or more novels. Discuss the importance of the beach in their lives. Discuss why both Ian Bone in That Dolphin Thing and Tim Winton in Lockie Leonard Legend use humour in their stories. Consider the effectiveness of this technique when dealing with serious issues such as illness and death. Debate: The beach is the most important influence in shaping the identity of the Australian adolescent. Visit the Maritime Museum in Fremantle and in particular study the section Tin Canoe to Australia II, which explores our recreational use of the ocean over time. Explore the imagery used by different writers in the Focus Books to describe the ocean/coastal environment. Find poems about the beach/ocean and study the imagery used. Write their own poI and/or descriptive prose passage. Read a selection of book reviews from various sources. In groups list the essential elements of effective reviews. Write a review of a favourite ocean novel. Choose an author to research in-depth. Using role play present an interview with the 'author' to the class.

Focus Books [Click on titles for full record & review]

BONE, Ian. That Dolphin Thing
Puffin, 2002

Age 12+ This story is a real gI. Bone offers a very interesting and different perspective of a young boy trying to cope with the pressure and stress caused by a parent's illness.

That Dolphin Thing is the hilarious story of an adolescent boy's journey through a time of tough, emotional experiences. The quirky title and attractive immediately demand attention. Add that to an unusual first paragraph and the reader is hooked.

Bone's sympathetic portrayal of his characters is a highlight. The thematic combination of fear and wit is original and effective. That Dolphin Thing is an entertaining story told with humour and a great deal of adolescent sarcasm. It would make a valuable comparison with other novels dealing with themes of illness and fear on a more serious level. An analysis of how humour is used in our society could also develop from reading this book. I enjoyed reading this novel and recommend it for upper primary and secondary students.

See Penguin for Teachers' Notes, and supplementary material, written by Ian Bone for That Dolphin Thing



BUNNEY, Ron. Sink or Swim
Fremantle Arts Centre Press, 1999

Age 12+ Set in a Western Australian crayfishing settlement this is the story of Bazza, an angry, alienated street kid who escapes the city and finds refuge with Early, a taciturn crayfisherman.

Together, as they confront the dangers of the sea and the vagaries of a crayfishing lifestyle, Bazza and Earl develop a friendship based on respect and trust. Bazza discovers that he is capable of setting goals and working towards their achievement and so learns that he is a person of value.



CAMPBELL, Margaret. Shadow Across the Sun
Lothian, 2001

Age 14+ Sixteen-year-old Lori O'Shanessy arrives on a summer holiday with her family at their loved camping spot of Skenes Creek, longing to spend time at the surf-beach with her old friend and soul mate Mark, who lives at the beach with his grandmother, a painter. However, this summer, things are different. A year older, their relationship has changed into something more intense and physical.

Although the plot is somewhat fantastic, Shadow Across the Sun sensitively handles the issues of teen relationships, family dynamics and the way several characters come to terms with bad news. It also beautifully captures the familiar excitement, anticipation and routines that absorb a typical Australian family going on a camping holiday at the beach. This is very much a girl's book.



CHASE, Diana. Surf's Up
Fremantle Arts Centre Press, 1999

Age 10+. Twelve-year-old Matthew Dyson is not happy about the family move to Margaret River but soon finds his imposed lifestyle change opens up a whole new world of experiences, unusual friendships and self analysis. Despite his weak leg, Matthew learns to surf and has a series of adventures involving surfing competitions, sharks, caring for injured wildlife and a dramatic rescue.

This well-written novel has a glossy, eye-catching cover which is sure to generate interest. A variety of characters are effectively portrayed in believable situations and the author examines many emotive issues while empathising with the dilemmas confronting key characters. The surfing jargon is appropriate and relevant, serving to make the context and setting of the story very real. This high interest novel is loaded with issues worthy of class discussion and debate.



EARLS, Nick. After January
University of Queensland Press, 2000

Age 15+   Originally published in 1996 this novel retains its freshness and remains a fascinating read. Earls has captured the 'nowhere' feeling that exists when people have finished with one part of life but not yet started on the next; the waiting, the reflection, the looking forward, the not knowing.

Alex Delaney has finished his HSC and is waiting for his offer of a place at university. While waiting he spends his January at Caloundra, in Queensland, at the family holiday house; a place where he has spent each summer of his seventeen years. This summer Alex spends his time thinking, swimming, reading, watching television, talking or not talking to his mother - just as he has always done. But this year it is different. Whilst out surfing he meets Fortuna and decides to stay in Caloundra when his mother returns to Brisbane.

The reader then journeys with Alex, from adolescence to young adulthood, in a story that unfolds to reveal interesting characters and, time and again, familiar situations.

The Australian setting and reference to contemporary issues and a familiar lifestyle add to the impact. Many older students will readily identify with Alex and will find reflected in him many of their own longings and confusions.



EATON, Anthony. Nathan Nuttboard Hits the Beach
University of Queensland Press, 2002

Age 11+. Eleven-year-old Nathan lives in a typical family, which includes two sisters and a fairly inept, bumbling father, who takes the family camping by the sea. Despite his initial dread of a family holiday, Nathan finds himself exploring new relationships, questioning and growing, and learning to maintain often-difficult family relationships.

This is an easy-to-read, humorous book that evokes instant memories of family holidays and captures the language of young people. Reluctant male readers will be drawn in by the surfing and motorbike riding.



FORRESTAL, Elaine. Leaving No Footprints
Puffin, 2001

Age 12+   Set at the beach during a family's summer holiday, Leaving No Footprints is a great read for surfing and sailing enthusiasts, with adventure and friendship integrated with serious issues.

It is the story of Henny, the teenage protagonist and her relationship with Kip, a fellow surfer, whom she meets on the beach. To Henny, Kip is a bit of an enigma and she cannot work him out. His dog, Stranger binds them together and a friendship develops as they learn to sail an old surfcat. A visit to a nearby island becomes fraught with danger when the Henny and Kip discover hidden drugs.

Forrestal effectively draws out the complexities of Kip's character using inset flashback sequences. These are particularly colloquial in style and Forrestal echoes the thoughts of an adolescent not only with accuracy but also with compassion. As a result the reader develops a soft spot for Kip and simultaneously feels Henny's frustration with Kip's strange moods.

Despite the brevity of this novel it contains some complex themes such as adult depression, drugs and the difficult home life associated with these issues, which will stimulate thought and discussion. Short chapters, large font, Australian setting and idiom, accessible language and style make this an attractive title for older reluctant readers.



LAY, Graeme The Wave Rider
Penguin, 2000

Age 14+ The change in seasons from summer, with crowds at the beach, to autumn and the quietness of the empty streets of Kaimara, reminds Justine how much she wants to get away from this town. Just ten months till her exams and hopefully her escape to university in the city with her friend Melissa.

Justine lives with her brother, Tim and father. When a young Californian surfer comes to town Justine falls in love and dreams of leaving with Carl when he has surfed enough and moves on. Nan wants Justine to be careful as she does not trust 'surfies' and does not want any boy to hurt her.

Starting with a great cover The Wave Rider has it all to capture adolescent readers: love, sex and betrayal, and the young versus the older generation. As Justine and Carl search to fulfil their goals, readers realise that there is risk in everything, in life, in surfing and in love.

PARRY, Glyn. Sad Boys
Hodder, 1998

Age 14+ Admit it, teacher-librarians. The scenario for Sad Boys is fun.
It is based around the adventures of three girls and three guys, Year 11s let loose at Rotto for a few days. Sharron, Wendy and Donna arrive by plane and stay at the Lodge, while Rabbit, Jacko and Ozone arrive by ferry and camp illegally on the beach.

The sun, sand, cops, rain, bikinis and smatterings of local history might actually make you wistful for the particular Rottnest that belongs to sweet and sad sixteens on their hormonal hols.

PLÜSS, Nicole. Beach Baby
Penguin, 1997

Age 15+ The cover of Beach Baby is arresting. It represents Melissa’s feeling of uncleanliness after she has been raped and symbolises her urge to cleanse herself in the ocean.

This riveting novel does not shy away from telling this episode as it happened. It is all the more readable because fourteen-year-old Rebecca, the younger sister, lightens the situation with her pragmatic and more relaxed approach to life.

The two girls, Melissa and Rebecca go to stay with their dad for the summer holidays. Melissa, nearly sixteen and model material, has agreed to a meeting at the local pub, with a twenty-year-old surfie called ‘Sharky’. She drinks too much, is lured outside by Sharky and is raped. Melissa blames herself for excessive drinking. Shame draws her increasingly into herself and her eating habits become erratic. It is Melissa’s slow and painful journey to a place where she can take control of herself and her life that is the nub of Beach Baby.

However, the novel is much more than this. Nicole Plüss also explores the role of Kimberley, Melissa’s boyfriend (who a year before lost his mother to cancer); her sister Rebecca; her dad Kevin; his brassy wife-to-be, Louise; and their often devastating affect upon each other. This lifts the book from being predictable pop fiction to an intuitive study of how and why things such as rape happen.

Nicole Plüss’s ability to define characters extends to her eye for observing detail. Beach Baby is a movie of the mind, it is visual, dramatic and believable. It is characterised by a B plot, three-dimensional characters and vivid imagery. Although B language is used, it is a great read. Highly recommended for Year 10 and up.

Lefki Kailis, Kwinana SHS



WINTON, Tim. Lockie Leonard, Legend
Pan Macmillan, 1997
Age 12 +   In Lockie Leonard, Legend, Lockie is given a new set of problems to overcome. His mother is in hospital recovering from a nervous breakdown. As a result of this situation Lockie must take on new responsibilities at home. As with all the Lockie Leonard novels, Tim Winton portrays an adolescent boy coping with the problems of puberty. This portrayal is honest and at times very amusing.

Winton’s use of language is wonderful. It is very Australian and youthful, making Lockie Leonard, Legend an easy novel to read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it hard to put down. This novel will appeal to both boys and girls over the age of twelve.

See Lockie Leonard Activities, developed by Barbara Braxton.
[Click on Activities from the top Menu, scroll down to senior activities.]




  The following personal accounts of two young sailors who circumnavigated the globe also provide insight into the adolescent relationship with the sea and demonstrate how battling nature helps some young adults establish their identity.

DICKS, David. Dave the Brave: as Told to Cyril Ayris
Cyril Ayris Freelance, 1997 (Black Swan Series)

Age 13+   Details the 11 month journey of a young Western Australian sailor, who at the age of 17 sailed around the world in his small yacht.

See Transcript of George Negus Interview with David Dicks, Brendan Hutchens and Jon Sanders.
ABC Online. New Dimensions, Episode 13



MARTIN, Jesse. Lionheart: A Journey of the Human Spirit [with Ed Gannon]
Allen & Unwin , 2001

Age 14+   In December 1998, Jesse Martin set off from Sandringham Yacht Club, hoping to become the youngest person ever to circumnavigate the globe solo, non-stop and unassisted. David Dicks, well known in WA, had attempted this feat two years earlier, but his record was invalid due to equipment failure.

Jesse tells his story frankly and with youthful enthusiasm. He says that it is a story of the human spirit…and what it can achieve when put to the test.

His early life and prior adventures are sketched but the bulk of the book is about the journey. Having the dream is not enough, and this is evident in the detail of how Jesse sought sponsorship and acquired funding. The narrative contains ship's log entries and email texts as well, to re-tell the story in an immediate way. Jesse admits his omissions, the largest of which was psychological preparation for the solitude onboard, but this just makes the book more engaging. Male and female students will enjoy it.

Need more titles for wide reading? Search the CMIS Resource Bank Ocean - Fiction [Use the Early Adolescence restrictor to just see titles appropriate for this phase]