If you take walks on Warrnambool Promenade you would have noticed more surfers hitting the waves since the coronavirus pandemic restrictions began.
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As one of the few physical activities allowed to continue for most of lockdown, many surfers have taken the chance to pull on their wetsuits.
Surfing was taken off the banned activity list in early April and has been allowed with restrictions since then.
With plenty of free time on their hands, Warrnambool's Harry Stinchcombe and Port Campbell's Ned Deppeler have grabbed the opportunity to surf as much as they can.
They each hit the waves about five to seven times a week.
The 16-year-olds, who are part of the South West Academy of Sport (SWAS) surfing program, have also been catching waves together.
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Harry makes trips to Port Campbell because he also has family there.
The teenagers have gained plenty from surfing together recently.
Harry said they had a friendly rivalry and encouraged each other to get better.
Ned agreed and said he had improved his backhand technique.
It's good because he's a good surfer as well and we're at the same skill level. If someone does something bad you can pick it up. So saying things like 'you need to be a bit more back-foot heavy or front-foot heavy.
- Ned Deppeler
"It's good because he's a good surfer as well and we're at the same skill level," he said.
"If someone does something bad you can pick it up.
"So saying things like 'you need to be a bit more back-foot heavy or front-foot heavy."
The pair mostly take on waves at The Point in Port Campbell.
Ned said Gibson Steps and Bowkers were among his other favourite places to go for a paddle.
Logan's Beach, also know as Japs, is one of Harry's go-to spots in Warrnambool.
Both youngsters have noticed more people surfing since the pandemic restrictions started.
Harry said there were many more beginners on the waves.
"People seem to be out there because it's something they can do," he said.
Ned added numbers were booming but had now died down a bit.
"At the start, during the holidays there were heaps (of people)," he said.
"All the locals were back from work in Torquay.
"It's good to catch up with them again but it's a bit of struggle to get waves because they're all really good.
"The more people out, the more waves are getting taken."
Harry hasn't been too bothered by more people being on the surf.
"There's just a few more people so sometimes there's a few less waves (to catch)," he said.
Neither of them think surfing conditions have been better than other years.
Ned and Harry are part of a group of 11 - 10 boys and one girl - in the SWAS surfing program.
Portland's Paul White and Marcus Eldridge mentor the promising youngsters.
The SWAS surfers also get about four sessions a year with former professional surfer and Surfing Victoria chief executive officer Adam Robertson.
Harry, who has been in the program for the past two years, said he had benefited from the extra tuition.
His dad Matt got him into surfing from a young age.
Ned and Harry were also set to get stuck into another Warrnambool and District league junior footy season before their plans got a shake up due to the pandemic.
It's yet to be decided whether a WDFNL season will go ahead.
The final call on the 2020 season will be decided by the 10 clubs on June 24.
Harry, who plays with Merrivale's under 18 side, is "missing it heaps".
He misses playing matches and catching up with friends.
The Tigers under 18s outfit won the premiership in 2019.
Ned, a Timboon Demons under 18s player, also can't wait to get back on the field again.
He won the club's under 15s best and fairest award last year.
"Everyone is missing it because it's that extra bit of fitness," he said.
"Surfing keeps you really paddle fit but not running fit."
Ned would love footy to return, even just training.
"Even at least have training come back, so you don't lose all your skills and fitness and so you can catch up with everyone you haven't seen," he said.
Harry and Ned had been able to hit the surf regularly without footy matches and training.
It's also helped they've been doing online learning and can squeeze in surfs at lunchtime and after school.
They are both set to return to in-person studies from Tuesday.
Ned is in year 10 at Timboon P-12 School while Harry attends Brauer College.
Ned, a regular-footed surfer, would normally surf during footy season.
But he said the difference this year was he could go for multiple surfs in one day because he had more spare time.
Ned is also on the Rip Curl Research and Development Team and tests the brand's prototype wetsuits.
The teenager has to log his surfing and report about wetsuits every 20 hours.
He has racked up 219 hours in his current wetsuit since January 9.
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