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Posted on Monday November 2nd 2009 at 12:27 p.m.
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The group ranges in age from 10 to 18 years and joining the programme was a teenager from New South Wales.
The programme, put together by Surfing Taranaki executive officer Craig Williamson with funding from the Southern Trust, focussed on helping the pupils reach another level in their chosen sport.
"Prospective pupils went through a selection process and were asked to submit a written application stating reasons for wanting to attend the programme," Williamson said. "These are guys that want to improve their surfing and want surfing to be a career for them one day."
An ex-professional surfer who retired in 1990 having won three ASP titles, Cruickshank was "very impressed" with the attitude and raw talent of the pupils.
"There's a lot of skill in the whole group right from the youngest through to the older ones. They've all got the skill to take it as far as they want. It's all up to them to take the information on and apply it to get those results."
Cruickshank said there were great opportunities for surfers who made it as professionals.
"There is more money in surfing than was the case when I was competing. It's probably a little bit harder to get to the top now though because more people are trying (to make it) these days."
Cruickshank said women surfers, such as Oakura's Paige Hareb, who is on the Dream Tour, had an advantage for achieving on the international stage.
"Females have a better chance of accomplishing their goals and getting to the very top. There's so many men trying to get there these days and that makes it tougher for them."
Cruickshank said life as a professional was not always as glamorous as it might seem.
"It can be stressful at times because you're competing for results all the time, but if you've got a good contact structure behind you and you compete well you can make a lot of money."
Accompanying Cruickshank on the trip to Taranaki is Brian Broom, who is the United States agent for Surfing Australia's High Performance Centre, which is based at Kingsgate, a 15-minute drive south of the Gold Coast.
His position involves promoting the facility around the world.
Broom is on his second trip to Taranaki, having been here last year.
He said the passion for surfing in Taranaki was second to none in his experience of travelling the globe from his home in Florida.
"I don't know any place that equals it," he said. "I really mean that.
"The surfing community here is very special."
By TONY BIRD - Taranaki Daily News