Bede Durbidge, Olympic Australian Surf Team Head Coach
“I have known Dean Brady (NSA Head Coach) for over 20 years. It’s been incredible to watch him go from having a great professional surfing career himself to now helping the next generation chase their dreams. Grass roots surfing is where all Olympians and World Champions start out and what an opportunity for Noosa to have one of their own passing on a wealth of knowledge to the local surfing community.”
Mick Fanning AO, 3x World Surfing Champion (2007, 2009, 2013)
I’ve known Dean Brady for 25 years. He’s a big friendly giant and always a pleasure to be around. Since we first met, I’ve watched him grow into becoming one of the world’s best surfers to now a dedicated family man and businessman. Dean’s knowledge of the ocean is incredible and his patience with people makes him one of the best people to teach surfing to all levels of ability.
Dean shares and ingrains the knowledge he has gained from three plus decades of surfing Noosa and abroad into aspiring surfers as I’ve witnessed him do for Noosa Boardriders Club on many occasions along with helping myself guide some of Rip Curl’s best junior surfers in Hawaii for many years at waves like Pipeline and Sunset Beach. I highly recommend the Noosa Surfing Academy; I know Dean and his team offer a high level of tuition that is not easy to find.
William Alstergren AO, Chief Justice
I first met Dean Brady, Founder and Director of Noosa Surfing Academy in 2013, when my family was seeking a private surf coach at Noosa. At that time my wife, our three sons and I were beginner surfers. Since that time we have been taught by Dean. In 2016 we took Dean with us to Mexico on a surfing trip to coach us. Whilst there, Dean instructed us daily on many different surf breaks and in many varied conditions, teaching us valuable skills which have become a solid foundation for our surf life.
As a family we visit Noosa at least a few times every year to surf with Dean and the Noosa Surfing Academy. Since 2013, Dean has taken two of our boys to an advanced level in surfing and has greatly improved all our surfing. During our visits, we all have daily lessons and enjoy being out in the water improving our surfing each time. We are all constantly learning new skills and building on our experience and awareness in the surf.
Darren Mercer OAM, Head Coach of Noosa Heads SLSC
I have known Dean Brady for over ten years. I knew of Dean before we met through his reputation as a World Class Surfer until I had the privilege of meeting him when he was training for the Molokai 2 Oahu World Paddleboard Championships in 2011. Dean regularly trained with my daughter Jordan, (6 X Molokai Champion) in preparing for the event and we went on to build a great friendship that has a strong connection with the ocean.
Dean has had an extremely long history with the Noosa Heads SLSC. His late Grandfather Philip Cave was a Life Member of Noosa Heads who gave generously of his time to all club members in its early days where he was known by everyone. His Father was Vice-Captain, Boat and IRB Captain for four years in the late 90's.
Dean’s Surf Coaching (Noosa Surfing Academy) and expertise is sought after by all levels of the surfing demographic, from the beginner to the elite. He constantly achieves results at the highest level with his caring guidance and professionalism. He is a positive influence on everyone he meets and is always happy to pass on his valuable knowledge from his years of experience in the surfing world.
Brad Bowen, Deputy Principal St Andrews Anglican College
| have known Dean Brady for six years as not only a provider of surf coaching for the students at St Andrew’s Anglican College but also as a surfing coach for my daughter.
Dean is committed to the growth of surfing from the beginner level to those who wish to excel at a professional level. He has coached many exceptional surfers but has specifically taken two St Andrew’s Students from the beginner level to competing and excelling at the World Qualifying Series level.
Dean has a presence when coaching and can encourage and get the best out of every student who attends his classes. He is patient, vigilant, safety conscience and is very quick to know the capabilities of all his charges. The growth that Dean can attain from each of his students is measurable and the feedback provided always positive.
| have no hesitation in recommending Dean and his staff to you as true Noosa residents who have the best interests of the region and its people firmly at the centre of what they provide.
Brent Ogilvie, Ogilvie Group Noosa
It is with pleasure that I provide a character reference for Dean Brady.
Dean has been known to me personally for the last 10 years and in a professional capacity has provided surfing instruction for each of my children and for numerous friends of our family.
It is rare that one can provide an unreserved and enthusiastic endorsement of someone’s personal and professional reputation. I do this, without reservation for Dean.
Dean is extremely well respected throughout the surfing community, both locally, nationally, and internationally. Whilst he provides an unrivalled level of professional service, he has also undertaken hundreds of hours of community service and I believe has been materially responsible for the incredible take up in surfing by so many boys and girls in our region.
Cori McGuiness, Sunshine Beach
My 10yr old son and I started surf lessons with Noosa Surfing Academy as complete beginners and are now both surfing regularly and loving it.
My son surfs in one of the weekly squads with other kids his age and I can see the constant improvement. For me, as a 40yr old never having been on a board, I can now surf by myself and am officially obsessed. The private & small group lessons are so much fun and you always end up with a great count of quality waves.
Super enthusiastic, Dean really helps build confidence and is so good at correcting technique- breaking everything down into little steps that make it easier to learn. He teaches much more than just board riding, but also how to read the waves and ocean conditions, making you feel comfortable and capable. And it’s always fun. His love of surfing is infectious. Can’t recommend highly enough!!
The Rogers Family, Noosa Heads
We have been under the guidance of Dean Brady since our family moved to Noosa almost 4 years ago. He has helped every one of us to integrate into the local surf life here in Noosa. As a true local he has taught us so much about the area and how the surf works on different parts of the coast. Dean’s innate knowledge of Noosa, the locals, and the landscape ensures a unique experience that few can provide. Dean has provided us with some other great instructors through his program who are experienced and inspiring individuals.
Over the holiday periods, we have recommended the Noosa Surfing Academy to so many of our friends from Melbourne, both children to adults and there have been nothing but great reports on their surfing experiences. Noosa is all about surfing and they feel truly included while they are here taking home with them the true essence of life on the Sunny Coast.
Dean has taught all of us ocean awareness, body awareness and of course, surfing through both private and group sessions. As a natural teacher, his wholistic approach to training makes an incredibly difficult sport both manageable and enjoyable. The progress we have all seen within our family and friends is the true testament to his teaching methods. His infectious passion for surfing though is what truly shines through over all.
We would be more than happy to recommend the Academy to anyone.
Mark and Sally Bain, Sunshine Beach
Both our sons have trained with Dean Brady in 2-3 squads per week, for over 6 years.
Not only do they look up to Dean for his surfing skill and fitness, but they also share a great relationship with lots of laughs and banter.
Dean is enthusiastic, supportive and sets a great example of reaching your fitness and surfing goals.
We should add that Dean has mentored our youngest son to recently achieving 4th in the Australian Surfing Titles, and 2nd in Qld U16s in 2020.
Highly recommended!!
Paul Peterson, President – Noosa Boardriders Club
I have known Dean Brady for many years in both a personal and professional capacity. I have found him to be reliable, professional, trustworthy, highly respected and dependable.
Particularly, in the last seven years I have had dealings with Dean both in his role as a surf coach and in his role as Vice President of the Noosa Boardriders Club (NBC). In Dean’s position as Vice President I have worked with him in developing the local youth NBC membership and in mentoring the open senior surfing squads within the NBC.
As a gold sponsor of the Club he gives his time and knowledge to both junior and senior teams at events and camps throughout the year. Since his retirement as a Pro surfer he has certainly given back his time and knowledge to the whole surfing community locally within the Noosa shire.
Personally, Dean has coached three of my children through both school surfing and as a private coach. My youngest son who is now 12, has been coached by Dean since the age of five and like so many others that he has coached has won a state title and many other local and interstate events.
Dean’s delivery of advice in his surf coaching is second to none, as he treats each child or adult individually and communicates in a way that enables them to understand and put into practice the theory. My three children are of varying levels of ability, and Dean tailors his coaching technique to suit accordingly to ensure they are each improving and learning each and every session.
I would not hesitate to highly recommend Dean and the Noosa Surfing Academy.