The former professional circuit board rider and Port Macquarie Surf School operator graduated this year after an 11 year educational journey.

The state and national surfing title winner is a prominent fixture at Flynns Beach where he holds daily surfing lessons.

Mr Hudson, who has previously completed Honours in a Bachelor of Environmental Science at the University of Newcastle, said he had to fit the business, coaching, teaching and family around his study.

"About 11 years ago my wife, Amy and myself talked about getting a teaching degree rather than relying on surf school and lifeguarding," he said.

"I was working at the surf school and doing one or two subjects a semester depending on what the work load was. I deferred for two or three years but went back to it again to do an extra four units.

"It was mainly distance education so that I could fit it around surf school, kids and other teaching I was doing.

"I was doing my study in the mornings around 4am before I drop the trailer at the beach around 5am. I'd get up at 4am and study while the kids were sleeping.

"It's like anything in life if you're interested in it, you make time for it."

Mr Hudson said he could not have completed the degree without family support from wife, Amy and children Ollie, Eli and Pippa.

"It's a challenge but my wife and family have been amazing in allowing me to do what I need to do," he said.

"They have been supporting me and that's part of the reason why we got through it.

"I had to do physics and that was not easy. I had previously done physics in high school but university was another level entirely and it was hard to get back into."

The degree is another feather in his cap as a professional lifeguard, bronze medallion holder and level two Surfing Australia Surf Coach with first aid qualifications.

"It was great for coaching because it helped me program and structure things better for the surf school. We could line up surfing with the school curriculum as well," he said.

"I've taught at MacKillop, Newman and St Joseph's Regional College and I'm trained in science so I can get some casual teaching when it's quiet."

Mr Hudson said he would not rule out the opportunity of further study and becoming 'Professor Huddo' in the future.

"I'm really lucky that I do the things I enjoy doing. It depends if something comes up and it's about learning to be a better teacher," he said.

"I can't see myself doing three degrees but you never say never."

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