Look who we saw out catching a few waves during the week! It's that time of year where presents, lights, Santa, lame christmas cracker jokes, unconcious food grazing & catching up with family become the focus!  Santa, a now enblemic symbol for Christmas, has an inspiring back story source. Nicholas of Myra, hailing from 4th century Turkey, was a follower of Jesus, had a reputation of gift giving, helped the helpless & loved the outcast.  The one person who changed St Nic's life, can also change yours: Jesus.  As we enjoy this time of year, lets not forget what Christmas represents. From the song, 'I Celebrate the day', from Relient K:
"And the first time, that You opened Your eyes did You realise that You would be my Saviour, and the first breath that left Your lips, did You know that it would change this world forever. And I, I celebrate the day, that You were born to die, so I could one day pray for You to save my life."

Lets celebrate, that Jesus came to earth... for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life..... that's worth a solid party!

From Christian Surfers Australia, we would just like to thank everyone for their support, whether you are at the beach sharing Jesus, praying, giving or encouraging CS crew. We say thank you and we pray that everyone has a awesome Christmas & New Year!!

If I had written this 2 weeks ago it would have looked very different. The events of the last few weeks have been bitter sweet, the arrival of Zoe Lowther, such an amazing blessing to her mum and dad and the wider body of CSA.  New life that brings so much joy and happiness to us all. 

The death of Zac Young at Coffs Harbour that has left many of us with lots of why questions for the Lord but also amazed at how the Lord had used such a young man to impact so many and point them to Jesus.  Our national 'New Swell' leadership training we held in Victoria.  I have been home 1 day and am being flooded with amazing recollections of our attendees, their commitment and passion for Christ and their willingness to hear and follow what The Lord has for them. Such a diverse group in age and background but, so unified in wanting to serve God and reach the surfing community with the gospel.

In the National leadership team we have been talking and praying and feeling the Lord is wanting to do a new thing in CSA. Jod’s mentioned while we were at New Swell that the group really was a clear indication of that.  In the past when we have run this, the crew have predominantly been grooms short boarders, absolute frothers where as the diversity in this group I think is a clear indication of CS in the future.

We all love new things, some more than others but, how much greater is it and how much more exciting when it 'is' the Lord doing a new thing.

I am looking forward with more and more anticipation at what God is doing in CSA.  I can't wait to see what unfolds at National Gathering; I wouldn't miss it for anything, so I hope you enjoy the read of Inside and take time to ponder the things the Lord is teaching you in the busy-ness of our lives.  I hope to see you all over here in my backyard, Busselton, WA, next Easter for our CSA National Gathering.

God Bless,
Steve

As everyone would know, we lost a brother in Christ. Zac Young was called home to be with Jesus. CSA would like to thank everyone for their support & prayers during this time, especially for supporting our Northern NSW brothers & sisters, Dave Malvern & his awesome CS crew.
Through this, people have already come to know Christ & many have drawn closer to God.  As we praise God for what he is doing, let us not forget to pray for Zac's family & friends as they journey through this time... You can place your tributes on Zac's tribute FB page, Click Here

CSA launched a competition looking for designers to create CSA logos. After receiving our 5 entries, we took the voting to you via facebook, Instagram and a voting form.... & the people have voted... 

Congratulations to Gracie Wilson whos design - CSA, Rejoice Always won by public choice. Get ready for the CSA leadership tee's to have this awsome design. 

A big thanks to Christine Slabb, Brad Hall, Beth Holland, Grace Wilson & the Qld team (Abe, Rob & Azza) for their entries. We thank them all for taking the time to enter & putting their artistic designs on display for judging... 

Tell us a bit about yourself? 

I’m 29, married to Shell, we are so blessed and stoked to have our 2 boys, Tase n Taj. I grew up in Sydney and have lived on the north coast for the last 5 yrs at an epic little town Bonny Hills.

Ultimate surf session?

So hard to pin one down, might have to be Gas Bay over in WA, it was insane conditions 4-6 ft and absolutely firing.

God touches people’s lives through CS, can you share a recent story that moved you?

Nothing moves me more than seeing people won to Christ.  I was moved at the last Jesus Pro Am where I was able to lead a local photographer to Christ who came along to take pic’s for a clothing company and left in tears with Christ as his saviour. 

Read Davo's whole Q&A, Click Here

The 2014 National Gathering, WA registration is now open. Dont miss out on this awesome event as CSA crew from all around Australia come together for fellowship, surf, good times & get encouraged to continue to stand up for Jesus in their surfing communities.. 

Registration for NG - Here

2013 has been a year of radical growth and radical provision! God has been so faithful in breathing life into our missions and inspiring us on to be passionate and a mobilized. We are so grateful for his hand of provision and his call of purpose on our crew and we just cant wait to see what 2014 brings.

Some highlights:

• Winter Regional camp in Anglesea! We saw over 60 rubber clad warriors take to the frigid points and beachbreaks of Vicco’s wild west coast!
• The Regional Fundraiser, a night of fine music, magic and friends. CS sold over 150 tickets and raised $6000 towards the region.
• New swell” Junior leadership summit that was held in December.
• Regional Summer camp Dec 13-15th on Vicco’s Mornington Penisula.
• Launch of 'Songs for the Sea'.

2013 has been such an amazing year and God has shown up in more ways than I could have imagined! I just cant wait to see what 2014 has in store!

Lucas Bartlett - Regional Coordinator - Victoria/Tasmania 

Above photo - Lucas playing at the regional fundraiser 

Amidst the crew of Christian Surfers Australia are a collective of wonderfully talented musicians! “Songs for the sea” is a compilation of their work that has been woven together to form a beautiful album full of stories of Gods love and faithfulness. 100% of sales from the album go towards Christian Surfers Australia and all of the things that need to happen for this powerful movement to keep moving forward! The album includes music by such artists as: The Merrys, Selahphonic, Mike MacCarthy and Billy Otto. A wonderful additive to anyone’s collection and a great Christmas gift! 

Buy your copy now .... 

The opportunities presented to me via Longboard chaplaincy continue to grow and become more diverse. The Longboard contest scene is so different to the short boards. The tour consists of regional world Longboard Qualifying contests then a single world title contest. The world title contest has been held in very diverse locations, Hawaii, Sri Lanka, Italy and in 2013 China.  The world title involves competitors from every ASP region. This makes it far more culturally diverse. There is also a vast contrast in ages at the world title contest this year in China we will have an 18yr old and a 50 yr old competing.

This diversity is  most evident at the qualifying regional contests. These are coupled with large amateur events. The Noosa festival of Surfing has over 700 entrants. The age variation is from under 14yr div to over 65 yrs, Barry ‘Magoo’ McWiggan is still a keen competitor at 85yrs young. Officially Gayle Renzenbrink (Women’s Longboard Chaplain) and I are there for the ASP professionals but we end up taking on spiritual chaplaincy responsibility for the entire contest. This is a great opportunity but also a very taxing one.

Personally I have performed memorials for surfers at these events. I have married surfers, counseled and prayed with surfers and staff, cared for them during a crisis helped resolve conflict and disappointment and shared in the joys and fun of competition. At many events I am invited to open in prayer for the event and for the surfers. This has seen my chaplaincy role go beyond the ASP boundaries.  I have had opportunity to serve at the Aussie titles and Qld titles, the Snowy Mcallister comp in Many and the Duct tape in Noosa. I have invitations to attend events that I just can’t get to. Andy Pitt was able to serve in Perth at the Whalebone. There are multiple opportunities to get involved with chaplaincy in the Longboard scene.

The calendar for 2014 is not released as yet, but I anticipate a Duct Tape comp in Noosa the ASP Longboard open in Kingscliff NSW, the Whalebone in Perth, the Snowy in Sydney and maybe the Crescent Head contest, to be Australian priorities and opportunities. Internationally there are opportunities at ASP Qualifying events in Peru, Japan, England, Hawaii & mainland USA. Then the ASP World Longboard title will be held again at the end of the season, venue yet to be confirmed. There are unexplored opportunities to serve at state title events and every region would host some larger longboard event as well.

Check out some testimonials and my story here - Click Here If you would like to contact me, please email or check out my FB: andy.longboard@gmail.com / Facebook

Andrew Carruthers - ASP Longboard Chaplain

We are very excited to have launched our new website. Make sure you jump on & have a look around. 

CSA would like to say a huge thanks to Slava for his many years of service with the old site & for guiding CSA into the brave new world of technology!

Also, would like to thank the new CSA communications team for pulling the new site together. This is phase 1, with a lot more to come, stay tuned!  

Is God calling you to something new? Well, CSA has a number of exciting opportunities. CSA is looking for:

• Regional Coordinator for South Australia & Westen Australia
• Jesus Pro Am Contest Director 

For more information, Click here

• Paddle Against Poverty - Sunny Coast - Project complete - Click Here
• CS International Gathering, registration is open, for details - Click Here
• CSA Leadeship forms are up - if you are a Leader in CSA in 2014, make sure you have completed the appropriate forms - Click Here

INSIDE - Spring 2003 - As Nico & V hand over the Northern RC position, lets check out some of his handy work while he was RC in the Southern NSW ... 

We would like everyone to think of one person who isn't connected with the CSA family & if you could be the one to invite them to be a part of CSA, that would be awesome - Forward to a friend.

Finally, we would just like to thank you for your ongoing support, whether you are in a mission, prayer partner, financial partner, young, not so young, or involved in any other way, we say.....

Jesus Pro Am - Cronulla Beach 2011

Photo - Aaron Hughes