Surf’s Up!
Hey, little surfers!
Have you ever seen someone glide across the ocean on a surfboard and thought, “Whoa, that looks amazing!”? Well, grab your imaginary surfboard because we’re diving into the science of surfing and how YOU can ride the waves too!
Ready to Learn?
The Science of Surfboards
Surfboards aren’t just cool—they’re super smart! Here’s why:
Shape Matters! Surfboards are long and smooth to help surfers float and move through the water. The bottom is curved just right to make it easier to turn.
Floating Fun! Surfboards are made from light materials (like foam and fiberglass) so they don’t sink. This is called buoyancy—just like when you float in the pool!
Speedy Surfing! The smooth, slippery surface of a surfboard helps it glide across the water. Some boards even have fins underneath to help them stay straight.
Wave Power! Waves push the surfboard forward. When you stand up at just the right time, the wave does all the work, and you ride like a pro!
FUN FACT: The first surfboards were made of solid wood and were super heavy—some weighed as much as 90 kg (that’s like 15 bowling balls)!
Ready to Play?
DESIGN YOUR DREAM SURFBOARD!
Draw and color your very own surfboard. Will it have lightning bolts? Swirly waves? A rainbow? You decide!
MAKE A MINI WAVEMAKER!
Fill a clear bottle halfway with water, add a few drops of blue food coloring, and shake it up. Now, tilt the bottle back and forth and watch the waves roll!
BALANCE CHALLENGE!
Pretend your living room floor is the ocean. Stand on a cushion and see if you can balance like a real surfer! Try bending your knees and stretching out your arms—just like the pros!
Join us at playgroup and give the Sweet Sensory Balance Board a try!
Ready to Explore?
Renovated in 2024, Dunningham Park Playground is the perfect place to play for all ages, complete with a Surf Lifesaver Play Tower and a surfboard balance bridge. Steps away from great cafés, like Next Door, and a fantastic view of real life surfers catching waves at North Cronulla!