THE Johnson clan is one family who don't stray too far away from the comforts of the waves of Warrnambool's Lady Bay.
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The only time you see the former Sydney residents, who moved to the south-west town 11 years ago, leave the adopted home they have come to love is when they represent Warrnambool Surf Lifesaving Club at the numerous carnivals every summer.
Ben, 47, and his children Isaac, 21, Alana, 19, and Ellie, 16, are avid surf lifesavers who spend most of their time in one of the most challenging events in the sport - the surf ski.
But paddling comes naturally to the Johnsons, who have kayaking experience from their time in Sydney.
Ben, who moved the family down with his wife Louise to become the minister at Warrnambool Presbyterian Church, said he couldn't see them doing any other sport.
"I think the combination of the waves, the sun and the water and being out in that environment is wonderful," he said.
"We were flat water kayakers before we came here and hadn't done anything in the surf at all so for us it was just picking up surf skills over the time.
"Warrnambool has some beautiful playgrounds so it's wonderful to be able to play with your family and do sport together."
The family were in action on Saturday when Warrnambool hosted the Lifesaving Victoria Open State Championships.
But competing is not the only thing the family does together with the quartet all part of the same surf patrol.
However, the two oldest Johnson children, Isaac and Alana, have had to move away to Melbourne to study.
Isaac is studying science at Melbourne University, while Alana is into her second year studying medicine at Monash.
As for their sister and mother they are both at Brauer College. Ellie is studying year 11, while Louise works as one of the secondary college's english teachers.
Ellie is the only one in the family who moves away from the ski when she jumps into board and iron women events at carnivals.
Alana, who picked up the sport in 2015, enjoys her family's time on the ski but said it gave birth to a a healthy rivalry within the walls of their home.
"It's pretty good doing it as a family but it can get a little bit competitive especially around the dinner table and we have discussions about who is faster," she said.
"But it's nice doing it as a family and sharing the experience. You always have someone on your back knowing what you are doing and training you up."
Ben said Ellie was the one who had benefited most from her time spent on the south-west coastal town.
"She came to Warrnambool a bit younger and grew up in the surf," he said. "So she really is our surf gun."
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
