7th October, 2003

LLOYD HARKNESS talks to participants on Christian Surfers' (CS) first junior leadership training camp held at Ocean Grove, Victoria, over the last week of September...

Lloyd Gray, 17
Lloyd comes from North Narrabeen, Sydney, and goes to the Narrabeen Baptist Church.

Why did you sign on to the first CS junior leadership camp?
“To gain more knowledge in God and so that I can guide grommies in the right direction: to the Lord.”

Highlight(s) of the camp?
“The people...The church service was sick. Love the food. The talks have been so influential to my life. The Bells Junior Billabong Pro outreach day. The hospitality of the Gray family and Mark and Lena (Johnstone).”

What will you take away from the camp?
“The ability to be an awesome and influential leader and a mentor to not only the grommets of Christian Surfers but other people in my life.”

Elise Cooper, 16
Elise comes from Perth and goes to Kelmscott Christian Surfers. She became a Christian and started surfing when she was 14.

Why did you sign on to the first CS junior leadership camp?
“I wanted to get more involved in Christian ministry and to find out more about what God wants me to do with my life.”

Highlight(s) of the camp?
“The seminars were very helpful and helped me to...understand some of the most important parts of being a Christian and a leader. Plus I caught a great wave on Wednesday arvo. I really enjoyed the fellowship and being with a group of people who were all in the same position as me and had similar dreams of working with Christian Surfers. I had a great time and the gags were heaps of fun.”

What will you take away from the camp?
“I feel more motivated to live for God and to try and get more involved with Christian Surfers in WA and beyond. Also, I have gained new friends and contacts from all over Australia.”

Tom Biasetto, 19
Tom comes from Cronulla, Sydney, and has been a Christian - and involved in Christian Surfers - for around four years.

Why did you sign on to the first CS junior leadership camp?
“I was encouraged by my regional coordinator in southern NSW that it would be a great step to expand my abilities and to fire me up for God. So I signed up and it has been great.”

Highlight(s) of the camp?
“I’ve learned heaps and heard from some really wise speakers. Church on Sunday was definitely a highlight; it was great to be in a church that is stepping out and letting God mould and shape them. The cold water was a shock but an experience. I’ve also made some great friends who are all pushing each other to grow in God.”

What will you take away from the camp?
“Great friendships and a passion to reach the surfing community in Cronulla and to really try and focus on integrating the groms into a local church and getting them planted and growing.”

Paul Bussell, 16
Paul comes from Bussellton, Western Australia, and goes to Pown South Gospel Church. He loves to surf and has been a Christian for about five years.

Why did you sign on to the first CS junior leadership camp?
“Pretty much because my leader gave me the pamphlet and I thougfht this camp looked sweet...Also because God opened the door.”

Highlight(s) of the camp?
“Surfing Bells and having an awesome surf at 13th Beach...and also the sick shopping I did everywhere. Helping out at the Billabong junior comp was great too.”

What will you take away from the camp?
“The awesome challenges...Memories, shopping and new friends made.”