“I was not going to do competitions this year, as I wanted to focus on a greater counselling role for the great crop of young surfers we have coming through on the South Coast,” Mel said.

For someone who has not placed all her energy and time into surfing, Mel has achieved some magnificent results this year.

In May she finished second in the second round of the state titles, won the Memorial Classic and the women’s classic in April and came third in the third round of the state titles in June.

Another highlight for Mel is the South Coast Board Riders Rally held at

Waitpinga last month, where she competed against top young surfers Min Cook and Alice Gilbert.

“It was a really good fun day, which we used as a training day for the girls.

“We encountered trying conditions and president of the South Coast Board Riders Luke Horlin-Smith was on the beach and gave us all positive feedback.

“We need that to keep improving at our sport,” she said.

Mel is very keen to take on a mentoring role and is undergoing a diploma in Counselling with the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors based in Queensland.

“I want to help the girls to have the right attitude to surfing.

“I have had so much enjoyment from surfing and always will do and I really wish to pass on a lot of my enthusiasm and knowledge to the girls.

“That is where I want to take my love of surfing and combine it with my career,” the 26 year old said.

Mel cannot achieve the success she has had and into the future without the support of the Hotel Victor, Paul Benson of Southern Surf, Ryan from O’Neill, Creatures of Leisure and Otis sunglasses.

“They have all been wonderful to me and I sincerely thank the owner and management of the Hotel Victor for their ongoing support,” Mel said.

So as well as surfing the waves of the south coast, Mel will be concentrating not just on her own performance, but having input in the young surfers throughout the Fleurieu Peninsula.