If your hiring some surfboards and wetsuits, or maybe you've taken the plunge and bought your own surfboard and wetsuit, then you will be facing a critical question that you will need to answer.... How to Choose the Right Surf Spot for a Beginner Surfer. There are a few things that you will need to consider before you suit up and run into the surf so here are some tips on how to make the right … [Read more...]
Simple Ways to Improve Balance for Surfing
Actually a better way to put it would be.... Can I Improve Balance for Surfing. And the answer is yes. Many people think that balance is one of those things that you either have or you don't. How many times have you heard that someone has 'natural balance'? I heard it just this morning and, once upon a time, people might occasionally say it about me, but in reality it all comes down to … [Read more...]
How To Protect Your Head When Surfing
If you've ever come along for a surf lesson with us you'll know we are pretty anal when it comes to safety. We see a lot of people glaze over when we start talking about safety but it's a necessary evil. But you must protect your head when you are surfing. On your first lesson with us you will hear us talk about how to protect your head when you wipeout several times. In fact we mention it … [Read more...]
How to improve your surfing – the easiest way (probably)!
Well, I say 'easiest way'. It kind of is. It just requires hours of time, patience, petrol and cash. Y'see I could give you thousands of tips on how to stand on your surfboard, catch waves and improve your technique and they would all help to a greater or lesser degree. But what's the best way to improve your surfing? In a word - travel. And I write this from the balcony of a rental … [Read more...]
How to Catch a Wave – the double paddle finish
When it comes to catching waves and explaining the technique clearly then we have to tip our hats to Rob Case. Here he provides an excellent tutorial using Nat Young in a World Surfing League heat as an example. This is well worth 10 minutes of your time. He breaks the technique down clearly as well as providing some excellent pointers on how to improve your paddling technique, speed and … [Read more...]
Dr SurfLove (or how I learned to stop complaining and love lousy surf)
One of the all-time funniest things that has ever happened at the surf school occurred two years ago during work experience week. We had a young lad, let's call him Rob, in for a week of work placement from a local school and we were showing him the ropes with regard to dealing with customers and the basics of surf coaching. Rob was a really good worker and he was a delight to have onboard, but … [Read more...]
How to choose your first surfboard and wetsuit .
When you've got a few surfing lessons under your belt and you are hooked then your thoughts will probably start turning towards getting your own surfboard and wetsuit. Head into a surf shop and you will likely be met with a bewildering array of surf gear but if you ask for advice most are willing to oblige. And if they don't head to one that will. If the surf shop has been there for a few … [Read more...]
How to stand up on a surfboard – the easy (ish) way
The best way to stand up on a surfboard, without doubt, is to utilise the 'pop up' method. This is where you catch the wave, perform a press-up and then whip your feet into place in one seamless motion. This is an explosive body movement and understandably not everyone can do this when they first come along for a surfing lesson. It requires a good power to weight ratio, strong shoulders and … [Read more...]
We’re Open – Summer Starts Now!
Another winter draws to a close, spring is here and the surf academy is once again open for the summer season. Our coaches are back from their winter sojourns to sub-tropical paradises and are refreshed, recharged and ready to start the 2015 summer surfing season off with a bang. The shop has been painted, we are buried in new stock from Quiksilver, Gul, Torq surfboards and Ocean & Earth … [Read more...]
How to Paddle Like a World Champion
There is some interesting stuff about paddling technique in this video. The video was put together by a chap called Rob Case and there are loads more on his Youtube channel. It's well worth a look if you feel like you are missing out on too many waves or not getting out quick enough between waves. If you feel you could use a little help with you paddling or any other surfing … [Read more...]
A.S.I Level 1 Surf Instructor Courses in Autumn
We have added some more dates for our Autumn ASI Level 1 Surf Coach Courses. Surf coaching is a great way to meet people, great fun and the first step on a career in surfing. Teaching people how to learn to surf is one of the most rewarding jobs you can do and the ASI Level 1 Surf Coach Award is an international qualification allowing you to work overseas as well as the UK. We are running … [Read more...]
May Bank Holiday & Half Term Opening Times
Spring is nearly behind us and we are surely heading into another, ahem, Barbeque summer at the surf school. Just writing it has almost certainly put a jinx on it but ho, we are tremendously happy here whatever the weather. The surf has been cracking for the last couple of weeks so lets hope this good run will continue. Not that we have been surfing anywhere near as much as usual - our time has … [Read more...]
Train to be a Surf Instructor
So what will you be doing to earn enough money for a surf trip away this winter? What if I said you could earn your money right on the beach while getting a tan and talking about surfing all day? Becoming a surf instructor is relatively straight forward for someone who is motivated, has a decent standard of surfing ability and good at communicating. It's also one of the most enjoyable jobs … [Read more...]
Surf Clinic
At the surf academy we often get asked for surf coaching for intermediate surfers - the type of surfer who has progressed from the whitewater and wants to add some style or power to their turns, get more waves and just get more out of their surfing in general. … [Read more...]
Winter Surfing Starts Now
But I thought it began ages ago! Well, yes and no. While the waves and weather have been absolutely bonkers for the last month the water has still been relatively mild so I never really feel that winter truly begins until January. Certainly the hard months are coming up and the sea is at it's coldest in March so the easy part of the winter surfing season is drawing to a close. Just because … [Read more...]
Surf Tip #8 – How to do a Flowing Lip-Line Re-entry
After the bottom turn the re-entry is one of the first manoeuvres that most surfers attempt. If you see a nice section coming towards you it's hard to resist the temptation to rebound of it and it's a great, dynamic way to finish a wave. Check out the video below and read on. … [Read more...]
Surf Academy Membership
We have always endeavored to give our customers great value for money with our surfing lessons and surf hire. We pride ourselves on employing the best coaches, using the best practices and the best equipment to make sure that our customers have a fantastic time when they come to us. But one mustn't rest on one laurels! Times are hard in the country at the moment and value for money is as … [Read more...]
Surf Tip #7 – Catching Unbroken Waves
Catching un-broken or ‘green waves’ can be the biggest hurdle to overcome for the progressing surfer. It relies on a number of different factors such as fitness, confidence and the surf conditions on the day. The ideal conditions would be a small clean swell with light offshore winds such as in this video clip. … [Read more...]
Surf Tip #6 – Staying Motivated
Summer is screeching into view and hopefully this year is going to be the long overdue perfect one. Waves everyday, light winds and endless sunny days. Utopia. But summers in Cornwall aren't always like that. The weather and conditions change quickly asking a lot of a surfers technique and motivation. If you want to be a good surfer and live in Cornwall then you're going to have to take the … [Read more...]
Surf Tip #5 – Performing a Basic Floater
The floater is a great move to maintain speed and flow while getting around (well, over actually) faster breaking sections of the wave. On a crumbly section they are relatively easy but if performed over the pitching lip then they become harder as they are preformed in the most powerful and critical part of the wave. The video shows a floater being performed by Dan Joel on a small but fast … [Read more...]
Surf Tip #4 – Brush
The cutback should be in every surfers repertoire and when done correctly it's the most functional move there is. If your wave goes slack, you need to get back to the pocket so you've gotta either do a cutback or kick out. Check out this video of Brazilian pro surfer Jadson Andre. … [Read more...]
Surf Tip #3 – Speed Generation
Speed is the most important thing in surfing. If you haven't got it or you can't keep it then manoeuvers become hard or impossible to complete. Now that summer is coming the waves will be smaller and less powerful so you will need to work harder to generate speed in the surf. … [Read more...]
Surf Tip #2 – Touch
Most surfers are aware that the bottom turn is the most important manoeuvre in surfing. It's the foundation of all good surfing and is often the move that gives you the speed and drive for the whole wave. If you get it right then you maximise your chances of having a great wave. Get it wrong and ..... well, you know the rest. So our next drill is to try to get your bottom turns perfect every … [Read more...]
Surf Tip #1 – The Recovery Position
If there is one tip that can apply to all levels of surfer, whether they've just had their first lesson or they're an elite surfer it's to maintain a low centre of gravity in the initial and recovery phase of a manoeuvre. This one simple tip is quite often the difference between success and failure when you are trying to complete a new surfing skill. I've shot some footage … [Read more...]
