Manly Surf School is an institution, sharing the stoke for over 30 years, Sydney’s top choice for surf lessons since opening in 1995. And this summer, with the rising risk of human-shark interactions an irrefutable fact, Manly Surf School founder Matt Grainger didn’t hesitate – he’s allergic to that trait anyhow – moving fast to update his operations.
“At Manly Surf School, safety has always been the priority,” says Matt. “Families trust us with their kids. That responsibility is something we take seriously. So, we didn’t wait, we went on the front foot with our drone program to help keep our clients, staff, surfers and swimmers safe.”
While broader policy discussions continue, Matt acted decisively. “We’ve implemented our own drone program – flying drones before and during lessons to gain a wider aerial view of sandbanks, rips, bait movement, currents and overall beach activity. From above, you can see patterns and risks that simply aren’t apparent from the shoreline, allowing informed, real-time decisions and adding another layer of confidence for our students and their families.
“This isn’t about fear or overreaction. The ocean is a living ecosystem and always will be. This is about smart, layered risk management, combining experience, technology and coordinated government response to improve safety outcomes while respecting marine life.
“I’m still surfing every day, and I still love it. But we can’t stand still. We need to evolve with the information and tools available, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
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