Well done also to Nigel and the staff of surfside cafe in Caswell bay for getting placed second! Here is the article simply click here: Surfgsd is number 1 surf school
(Article c/o City and County of Swansea)
Surf's Up for Eastside Wave Riders
BONDI Beach could be the next stop for a batch of Bonymaen youngsters taking to the surf off Caswell Bay.
Coaches
in charge of teaching a group of young people aged 11 and over from the
Eastside area how to surf are expecting big things of them in future.
The
youngsters were originally introduced to surfing during Splat and
Skool's Out fun activity sessions run by Swansea Council and its
partners during school holidays but many found it difficult to access
the sport at other times.
This is why Swansea Council has joined
forces with Bonymaen Communities First, The Sports Council of Wales and
local company Gower Surf Development (GSD) to make funding available
for the group to continue surfing.
Lifesaving and water safety
courses were arranged for the children at Cefn Hengoed Leisure Centre
before trips to Gower where they're currently halfway through a
10-lesson programme.
Swansea Council out-of-school hours
learning co-ordinator Mark Gosney said: "The surfing activity offered
during the packed Splat and Skool's Out programmes went down
brilliantly with the youngsters from the Bonymaen area but, due to
circumstances such as transport difficulties and the cost of surfing
equipment, many find it hard to get to Gower to surf during other times.
"This
is why we've worked closely alongside Bonymaen Communities First and
Gower Surf Development to put funding together to ensure they can
access a lifesaving class and professional surfing tuition off Caswell
Bay.
"Areas such as Bonymaen are famous for producing great
footballers but, thanks to a project like this, the Eastside of Swansea
may be producing some great surfers in the future too.
"All the
feedback coming from the coaches suggests some of the youngsters are
extremely talented and, with dedication and hard work, it's hoped they
can reach competition and professional standard in future.
"The staff at Gower Surf Development have been fantastic."
"Many
children who wouldn't normally be able to regularly have a go at
surfing now have the chance to do so thanks to the company's commitment
to local communities."
Details of the Splat and Skool's Out schemes are available online at www.skoolsoutswansea.co.uk and www.splatswansea.co.uk
Take a peek at www.gowersurfing.com for more information on Gower Surf Development (GSD).
I was recently asked if SurfGSD would drop the price of our surfing lesson for a group of Hens on a weekend trip to Swansea by £5 pp. as they had another cheaper quote from someone else.
There are nearly 60 surf schools here in the UK all offering different types of coaching and levels, as with most service sector industries.
My answer was 'No, sorry we are a 4 star BSA surf school that prides itself on quality coaching with smaller group ratios'...'by having more staff on the beach you will get the type of coaching that is necessary to progress your surfing skills and have an enjoyable, safe experience.'
We have been running surfing lessons here in the UK for 10 years with a high repeat customer visit rate; used by most Local Authorities here in South Wales; a member of 'Visit Wales in Style'; chosen by the LC in Swansea to help with the opening ceremony and to provide surfing lessons year round indoor at the flowrider; plus used by Kent County Council, Birmingham City Council, Marlborough College, Clifton College and many more.
The Director of SurfGSD is a Diploma member of the ISRM and previously worked as Leisure centre manager in both the public and private sector around the world- this experience and training reflects in the quality of the staff that SurfGSD attracts.
A fiver saved may ensure you have:
1. Possibly unqualified surf coaches
2. Dangerous ratios of staff to customers
3. Chaotically 'managed' unsafe lessons
4. Late lesson starts due to unpunctual arrival of staff
The bottom line is an extra £5 will buy you better quality coaching, equipment and experience.
I made the point of posting a blog regarding how to spot us on the beach see here, mainly due to the fact that we do not want to be associated with the cheaper 'battery type' of surfing lesson that unfortunately does occur, not only in Swansea but throughout the UK. The British Surfing Association do have inspectors and a grading system that keeps track on the 'Toy Town type of surf school' as seen in the video below.
Please note that the Toy Town Surf School in this video is a 'fiver' cheaper than our surf school. You decide if it's worth it... The video highlights the following issues from a surf coaching point of view:
1) Customers to coach ratio 1:10 plus 2) Customers spread all along the beach due to lack of experienced staff 3) No Control of group,due to poor coaching 4) Due to the spread of group people on hard surfboards and kayaks are in amongst the group which is a recipe for injury 6) Hard to identify group as some have ID vests on, some have none and some have red rash vests on which is Toy Town instructors ID colours 7) The group on beach just left the water and walked up the beach without informing the surf coach. Even worse without the coach noticing 8) The beach and water is busy with all types of activities therefore even more important for good control of group and customer ID
If you look through our surfing pictures you will see that our surfing customers wear bright red rash vests and that our qualified surf coaches wear white rash vests. All have our logo printed on the chest for ID purposes.
GSD surf school staff wear White Rash Vests
Customers wear Red rash vests
Rhossili bay is ideal for surfing due to the soft breaking nature of the waves at the bottom of the cliff, after the long scenic walk to the beach below the surfer is warmed up and ready for the surf session ahead. Rhossili offers easy parking and good bus links from Swansea. The Worms head hotel has awesome views (see Rhossili bay pictures here) and is a great place to stay if you are on a weekend break, alternatively if you fancy camping then there is Pitton Cross about 5 mins drive from this view. Click here for more information on how to visit, surf or stay at Rhossili Bay.
Here is a cool place to refresh after the surfing experience and replace all the energy used walking up the stairs... For more information on our learn to surf beach locations and booking click here.
Ben has been with us a year now and his surfing and coaching has improved substantially, he will be taking his level 2 BSA coaching award after this summer to add to his BA Hons and Outdoor education certs. Here are some nice surf pictures of Ben surfing at home in Caswell beach and on the Algarve last year on our surfing holiday trips.
We offer surfing courses for everyone and provide all the surf equipment that you will need to enjoy the waves and learn how to surf.
Learn to surf Rhossili Beach, Caswell Beach, Aberavon Beach and Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall
How do I book?
1) First decide which location you would like to visit and surf with us. We operate near Swansea which is just off the M4 on the Gower Coast line, in addition we also operate in Newquay at Fistral beach.
2) Simply contact us via the following web pages, 1) Swansea, Gower 2) Fistral beach and let us know what dates you are looking for, how many off you, what type of surfing session (1-2-1, school activity group, stag or hen etc) and any other information you may require such as places to stay, camp sites or price quote we will get back to you within 24 hours by email or phone.
3) Once we have agreed on your surfing day, session type, price we will direct you to the following surf shop site were you may be asked to pay a deposit or the full amount.
4) We will confirm the surf booking and send a PDF with surf course/safety information to you then put you in our surf calender.
5) Four to Five days prior (VIP) simply email or txt us to confirm time and meeting place stating which location you are surfing at: Fistral beach or Gower Coast and we will send you txt/email back with meeting information to you.
6) Bring a towel, warm clothing some money for lunch, any asthma pumps etc that you need (nb, if you are on medication/long term illness you will need to get permission off your GP) and most importantly a sense of humour..
7) You will be met by the GSD hut at Caswell Bay or in the car park opposite the worms head hotel in Rhossili village if surfing on Gower Coast. For surfing in Newquay we meet in the car park at North Fistral beach next to the new surfing centre which hosts showers, cafes and shops. Please see pictures of our vans so that you can find us; GSD surf vehicles
8) You will be handed a wetsuit which may need to be turned the right way around and when slipping into them please make sure the zip is always at the back. Then you will be handed a red GSD identity vest to place over the wetsuit for safety purposes.
9) The surf coaches will go through safety information of specific beach, surf conditions and other important safety tips to enhance your board riding development.
Here are some surf pictures of our customers enjoying the thrill of surfing and here is our surf video page on you tube, for more up to date information on surfing here in the UK why not join us on Facebook see you soon on a surf beach of your choice.
Happy Surfing Simon @ SurfGSD
I have put a collection of pictures together which are a snapshot of what surfgsd can offer here in the UK and on the Algarve, with quick links below for you to explore further.
surfing books for junior surfers
Christmas gift vouchers for learning to surf
Moonbags, keypod, and soft racks for sale on shopgsd
Long weekend surf and stay in yurts, tipis or Celtic roundhouses
Live, surf, travel holidays to the Algarve, Gower or Cornwall
Swansea surf school, gower surfing, gower surf holidays
Think about future beach users, only leave your footprints on the beach...
Surf GSD is a surf school based in Mumbles, Swansea. Learn to Surf classes are held at Caswell Beach, Llangennith Beach, Fistral Beach (Cornwall), Mawgan Porth (Newquay). Also take people to the Algarve between October and end of November. Surf boards and kit are stored either in secure storage. Office activities are undertaken from a single laptop and electronic communications undertaken to reduce paper usage.
The organisation has minimal direct impact on the environment and consciously tries to minimise some of our impacts recognising that a clean environment is critical to the future of our business. The main environmental impact relates to clients travelling to get to the beaches.
The Company recognises its obligation to comply with all relevant environmental legislation and has regard for guidance notes made thereunder. In recognising these impacts, Surf GSD through its commitment to pollution prevention and commitment to environmental improvement will:
*Minimise, recover and recycle waste wherever possible;
*Minimise the amount of and environmental impact of energy used
through the prudent use of resources and through the implementation of
energy saving devices, such as energy efficient lighting, and using
green electricity where possible;
*Encourage visitors to use public transport when coming to surf with Surf SGD;
*Train and continually update all staff in environmental issues.
The Policy will be subject to annual review and will be communicated regularly to all staff and made available to all interested parties.
Approved by:Simon Jayham (Managing Director)
Date Agreed: 11 September 2007S
About Surfing Development all year round with GSD.
SurfGSD is a 4 star approved British Surfing School offering surfing courses for all abilities from absolute beginner to advanced surfer. We provide all the surfing equipment that you require and can offer surf lessons at various surf locations including: Caswell Beach and Llangennith beaches on Gower, Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall and during the Autumn months South West Portugal.
SurfGSD is a member of ROSPA. Approved by the Welsh Tourist Board and has recently signed up for the 'Wales In Style' campaign.
SurfGSD has a surfing for everyone policy and over the last few years has coached several young people to British surfing team standard and seven have made the Welsh surfing team. Surfing is a fantastic medium in which to help young people feel that they are part of a community. GSD hopes to use surfing within the educational field to help with social inclusion policies.
We have a sustainable approach to surfing development and encourage our customers to fulfil their surfing dreams by following a set personal surfing plan.
GSD Surfing Development information for the Press
We welcome journalists from all sectors of the media to come and have a taste of the surfing experience.We hope that like most of our customers you will become a surf addict too and help us spread the 'surfing for everyone 'message and in turn play our part helping young people and others increase their social opportunities.
We have been fortunate enough to have worked with HTV, BBC, LWT, S4C and various cable stations. Recently Jamie Owen from BBC TV Wales took to the water with us and in the same period we organised a surfing experience day for Extreme TV and Boomerang to film. The latter being held in Welsh Medium as we do offer surfing course in Welsh medium too.
We have been featured in all the quality papers including; The Guardian, Telegraph, The Times, The Financial Times, The Observer, The Independant and also the Sunday Mirror.
We offer journalists advice, information and specialist knowledge in surfing related areas including, surf events, big wave riding, water safety, beach management.
Here is a ten minute, surfing information video was produced for Mr.Ian Jenkins, Faculty of Leisure and Tourism based at Swansea Institute of Higher Education. It was used as a promotional tool at the Gower and Swansea Surfing exhibition held for three months at Swansea Museum, South West Wales. Also featured in the video is Gower surf legend PJ (Pete Jones) and Gower Surfing Development (Surf GSD). Click on the surf picture below to view the film or download from google video and watch later.
surf beach management degree, Swansea, Wales, a degree which will help enable sustainable surfing development.
If we can not help we can point you in the right direction as we work closely with Local Authorities, Local Lifesaving clubs and Universities.
GSD is a four star british surfing school below is the structure.
What does it take to be a 4 star B.S.A surf school ?
The British Surfing Associations Approved Surfing Schools Scheme was introduced in 1990 to help the public obtain better value for money and greater safety whilst being taught to surf.
ABOUT THE AWARD LEVELS
Each BSA Surf School is a designated level of qualification depending on
a) The qualifications of the instructors.
b) The coaching resources they offer.
c) The types of surfing courses the school is qualified to offer.
The Levels
BSA 1
- Provide recreational 'starter-beginner' to 'lower improver' surfing courses.
- Coaches are qualified level 1+ at least 1 qualified @ level 2
BSA 2
- Provide Level 1 Programmes.
- Provide recreational Higher ability surfing from 'higher improver' to 'intermediate' level courses.
- Coaches are qualified levels 1-2.
BSA 3
- Provide Level 1-2 Programmes.
- Provide 'contest & competitive surfer training + recriational 'advanced surfer' programmes.
- Coaches are qualified levels 1-3.
BSA 4 (Which surfGSD is)
- Provide Level 1-3 Programmes.
- Provide a local 'community resource' programme ( = 'kids, grommet and cadets' clubs etc).
- Provide an, 'advanced surfing' development programme for elite squad training.
Site maps for Surf GSD the surfing school and surf lesson provider here in the Britain.
Which includes surfing on Gower, Wales. Mawgan Porth and Fistral Beach in Cornwall. Our online surf shop offering surf books, gift vouchers.
Sites of Interest
