Red Beach Surf Club has appointed Jack Gavin to coach the club’s expanding group of surf athletes. He is now working alongside long-serving coach Vaughan Skiffington to implement a far-reaching training programme that will enable the club’s competitors to further develop their surf abilities and hone their skills. The programme covers the disciplines of surf swimming, board & ski paddling and beach events.

Jack (25), a primary school teacher by profession, returned recently from eight months overseas. For several years he coached alongside Gisborne surf coaching identity Matt Sutton.

Jack competed for Gisborne’s Midway Surf Club for 10 years, winning his first Nationals gold medal in the beach relay event. As an under-19 competitor he twice won the NZ run-swim-run title and collected numerous medals in ski, board, relay and Iron Man events. In 2008 he was named as the top overall male competitor at the NZ Championships at Ohope Beach.

A back injury in 2009 led him into coaching and the surf sports manager role with the Midway club. Having been coached by lifesaving legend Cory Hutchings in his younger days, and having a passion for development coaching, he sees plenty of opportunities with the squad of young Red Beach athletes he is currently working with.
“I really enjoy watching the younger age groups improve and nail simple but essential skills,” said Jack.