Boost your water confidence and surf skills
The Foundation Surf Training Course (FST) has been created based on feedback from our Outdoor Activity, Surf Instructor and Lifeguard students. The course has been developed to build water confidence amongst those with less experience in the ocean, or those in need of a refresher.
As a result, the FST course includes:
- Practical skills and knowledge you’ll use every time you go in the ocean
- 5 days of ocean & classroom training. (Monday-Friday ~ 9am – 4pm)
- Tools to build water confidence for those less experienced in the ocean or in need of a refresher
- A supportive introduction to the surfing and water safety
- The chance to learn amongst a co-ed group of like minded individuals
- in association with Newquay Activity Centre and The Outdoor Activity Instructor Academy
- Luxury Accommodation available
Foundation Surf Training is for those looking to do the Intensive Surf Instructor Course who want more water time before starting the course. Or for anyone over the age of 16 who wants to boost their safety, confidence, surfing and swimming ability for recreational ocean activities. It will give you a headstart and a vital set of skills that you’ll apply everytime you go into the ocean. If you dream of being equipped and confident to go open water swimming, surfing, bodyboarding, stand up paddleboarding or kayaking independently, then this course is a great investment for you.
Through a combination of classroom and practical ocean sessions, you’ll develop a solid base of knowledge about surf theory, the beach environment, hazards, and rescue techniques that will help you excel in the ocean, whether you’re there for work or leisure.
About This Course
- Surf coaching sessions
- Video analysis of your surfing
- Designated classroom sessions to develop knowledge of surf theory and the beach environment
- Board paddling techniques and practice
- An introduction to Peterson tube and board rescues in the surf zone
- Bodysurfing training
- Swim coaching in the pool and in open water
- Sea swimming
- Techniques to build water confidence
- An introduction to Basic Life Support and first aid skills. What to do in an emergency situation
- Use of equipment out of hours so that you can train in your free time
- Fitness plan
- Access to our online learning portal
Pre-requisites
- Over 16 years old
- Must be able to swim 100m in a swimming pool or sea
- A good level of fitness (desirable but not essential)
Course Itinerary
Here’s what your days will look like
Below is the course itinerary, showing how each day will be divided into ocean based and classroom based activities. Please note that the activities scheduled below are dependent on conditions and other variables, so should be used only as a guide.
DAY 1
In the ocean:
- Sea swimming techniques
- Introduction to swim fins
- Introduction to Bodysurfing
In the classroom:
- Meet and greet
- Welcome to Newquay Activity Centre and introduction to the course.
- What’s involved in a lifeguarding qualification & the structure of the qualifications
DAY 2
In the ocean:
- Surf coaching with personalised goal setting
In the swimming pool:
- Swim coaching to improve your technique
- Your swim will be timed to gauge your current level
In the classroom:
- Surf Theory
- Basic Life Support
DAY 3
In the classroom:
- Introduction to the Beach Environment
- Video analysis of your surfing
In the ocean:
- Efficiency in the Surf Zone
- Lifeguarding techniques, Board Rescues & Tube Rescues
- Porpoise diving and attacking the water
DAY 4
In the ocean:
- Surf coaching, with focused tuition to help you work towards your goals
In the classroom:
- Surf theory continued
- Video analysis of your surfing
DAY 5
In the ocean:
- Surf coaching, with focused tuition to help you work towards your goals
In the classroom:
- Creating your personal development plans
- Q&A
Who Is It For?
If you’re someone who’d like to use the ocean all year round, then guaranteed you’ll find yourself on un-lifeguarded beaches, and with not many other water users around. This can be a very peaceful, grounding and enjoyable experience, as long as you have the right knowledge and skills in your tool kit.
It’s important to know how to prepare for your water session, forecast conditions, check the tides and the wind, and understand how this information will translate to your experience on the beach and in the water.
If you dream of going surfing, feeling confident and comfortable, and even surfing in international locations in the future, without an instructor by your side, then this course will help you develop a valuable set of skills to apply to everyday life out in the waves. We all love spending time in the ocean, but conditions can change quickly, so it’s important you’re able to make dynamic decisions based on what you see and feel out in the water, and adapt or terminate your activity accordingly. Safety in the water is the number one priority. If you can be safe then there is unlimited fun there for the taking.
Still unsure? Take our 30 second quiz…
- Do you know how to forecast and pick the best time and location for your activity on any given day?
- Would you know what to do if you were caught in a rip?
- Do you feel confident surfing in winter without the lifeguard presence on the beach?
- Are you regularly catching green waves?
- Would you feel comfortable being responsible for someone else’s safety in the water?
If you answered no to any of these questions above, then the Foundation Surf Training is a valuable set of skills you need to develop to stay safer, and have more fun in the ocean.
Why Choose This Course?
Got more questions? Perhaps you’re considering another training course and want to know whether the Foundation Surf Training will benefit you? We’ve answered a few of the commonly asked questions below. And if your question isn’t in here, check out our FAQs section.
I’m booked on to do the full Outdoor Activity Instructor Course. Is Foundation Surf Training for me?
The Outdoor Activity Instructor Academy graduates speak, and we listen; Foundation Surf Training has been developed directly from the feedback from previous students. This course is designed as an initial stage of preparation, to demystify both the surf coach qualification and lifeguarding assessments and explain the essential skills you’ll require for your qualification. It will give you a burst of focused tuition to kickstart your surfing, and help you towards getting your surf footage.
We’ll answer any questions you have about the Outdoor Activity Instructor Academy courses, and give you a training plan to work on so that you’re prepared and confident for your assessments when the time comes.
The Foundation Surf Training is recommended for surfers and bodyboarders of all abilities, but is especially vocational for prospective Outdoor Activity Instructor Academy students who haven’t had much experience in the ocean or surfzone. For those who’ve surfed before, it’s a gentle introduction back into the classroom environment, and will be a pressure free way to get some water time, and refresh your surf skills.
We recommend the Foundation Surf Training as a bolt-on for Outdoor Activity Instructor Academy students. The Foundation course runs the week before the Outdoor Activity Instructor Course starts, so you’ll have time to build your confidence, improve your swim time, progress your surfing and hone your rescue skills before the actual assessments begin.
Lifeguarding and surf rescue expertise are the most vital skills to have if you work or play in the ocean, yet many people show up to the Outdoor Activity Instructor Academy knowing very little about what it takes to get a National Vocational Beach Lifeguard (NVBLQ) or Surf Coach Safety (SCS) qualification. The lifeguarding assessment will evaluate your fitness, swimming ability and surf skills, and put your physical, mental and emotional resilience to the test. There is a lot to learn, and a wide range of skills to perform during the assessment; the consensus amongst our graduates is that the Lifeguard week is the most challenging element of our courses. Foundation Surf Training will take the stress out of lifeguarding week by giving you an introduction to surf lifesaving, and help you prepare for your actual lifeguard assessment week which will come a few weeks later on.
I’m booked on to do the Intensive Surf Instructor Course. Is Foundation Surf Training for me?
The Intensive Surf Instructor Course graduates speak, and we listen; Foundation Surf Training has been developed directly from the feedback from previous students. This course is designed as an initial stage of preparation, to demystify both the surf coach qualification and lifeguarding assessments and explain the essential skills you’ll require for your qualification. It will give you a burst of focused tuition to kickstart your surfing, and help you towards getting your surf footage.
We’ll answer any questions you have about the Intensive Surf Instructor Course, and give you a training plan to work on so that you’re prepared and confident for your assessments when the time comes.
There is nothing worse than feeling unprepared or being caught on the back foot, so if you’re someone who is new to surfing, or perhaps could do with a refresher, then the Foundation Surf Training will help prepare you. You’ll gain the required surf skills to start the course level with your peers, and have forward momentum and confidence so that you’re able to maximise your progression under the tutelage of Alan Stokes.
The surfing and lifeguarding modules are intense, with lots of ground to cover. For some students with little or no previous surfing or lifeguarding experience, the steep learning curve required is overwhelming. This foundation course is designed to give you a mental and physical headstart, providing both the knowledge that you’ll need and a training plan to develop the required practical skills. You’ll spend a lot of time in the surf zone which will help you familiarise with the environment, and give you an insight to what the Intensive Surf Instructor Course will be like.
We offer the Foundation Surf Training as a bolt-on for Intensive Surf Instructor Course students. The Foundation course runs several weeks before the Intensive Surf Instructor Course, so you’ll have time to build your confidence, improve your swim time, progress your surfing and hone your rescue skills before the actual assessments begin.
Lifeguarding and surf rescue expertise are the most vital skills to have if you work or play in the ocean, yet many people show up to the OAIA knowing very little about what it takes to get a National Vocational Beach Lifeguard (NVBLQ) or Surf Coach Safety (SCS) qualification. The lifeguarding assessment will evaluate your fitness, swimming ability and surf skills, and put your physical, mental and emotional resilience to the test. There is a lot to learn, and a wide range of skills to perform during the assessment; the consensus amongst our graduates is that the Lifeguard week is the most challenging element of our courses. Foundation Surf Training will take the stress out of lifeguarding week by giving you an introduction to surf lifesaving, and help you prepare for your actual lifeguard assessment week which will come a few weeks later on.
I’d like to train to be a beach lifeguard. Is Foundation Surf Training for me?
Lifeguarding and surf rescue expertise are the most vital skills to have if you work or play in the ocean, yet many candidates on lifeguarding courses know very little about what it takes to get a National Vocational Beach Lifeguard (NVBLQ) or Surf Coach Safety (SCS) qualification. The lifeguarding assessment will evaluate your fitness, swimming ability and surf skills, and put your physical, mental and emotional resilience to the test. There is a lot to learn, and a wide range of skills to perform during the assessment; it is incredibly demanding, and it’s a competitive field of work.
Foundation Surf Training will give you an introduction to surf lifesaving, and help you prepare for your actual lifeguard assessment week. There is nothing worse than feeling unprepared or being caught on the back foot, so if you’re someone who is new to surfing, or perhaps could do with a refresher, then the Foundation Surf Training will help you. You’ll gain the required surf skills to start the course level with your peers, and have forward momentum and confidence so that you’re able to maximise your progression.
Lifeguarding assessments are intense, with lots of ground to cover. For some students with little or no previous surfing or lifeguarding experience, the steep learning curve required is overwhelming. This foundation course is designed to give you a mental and physical headstart, providing both the knowledge that you’ll need and a training plan to develop the required practical skills. You’ll spend a lot of time in the surf zone which will help you familiarise with the environment, and give you an insight to what life as a beach lifeguard is like.
We recommend Foundation Surf Training as a preparation tool for those taking a stand alone lifeguarding assessment. It will give you time to build your confidence, improve your swim time, progress your surfing and hone your rescue skills before the actual assessments begin.
Foundation Surf Training will help you start the lifeguard course on the front foot, feeling confident, self-assured and positive.
Facilities & Kit
Newquay Activity Centre
Newquay Activity Centre is located within walking distance to Towan Beach, Great Western Beach and Fistral Beach, as well as the bustling town centre itself. Our state-of-the-art HQ, has:
- Toilets
- Heated changing rooms
- Hot outdoor showers
- Lockers for valuables
- Storage for clothes and bags
- Classroom
- Equipment store
Kit
We will provide all of the necessary equipment you’ll need for the course.
If you’d like to purchase your own kit, then our knowledgeable team is always happy to offer advice on equipment before, during and after the course!
Out Of Hours Equipment
During the course we’re keen to support you in upskilling yourself, so we’ll allocate you use of our equipment during your spare time. If you want to improve your surfing,or rescue skills during the mornings or evenings, our equipment is available to be used.
This is an unusual privilege on a training course like this but we feel it will offer you an excellent opportunity to up-skill throughout the course. Please note this will need to be booked in with the centre for your required times.
Accommodation
Luxury accommodation available for your course
To supplement our Foundation Surf Training, we have a couple of in-house accommodation options available to add on as an extra. We have two apartments, both within walking distance to the beach and both stylishly fitted out with all modern luxuries.
You will be in an apartment with fellow students from the course and we will do our best to place you with people of similar ages, backgrounds and interests. This will vary depending on course participants. You will be sharing a same-sex twin room.
Please note: the cost of accommodation is not included in the course price. Accommodation is charged at £250 for the duration of the course and is due 8 weeks prior to the course start date.
There is a £100 Security Deposit, made payable in cash on arrival. This will be held by the landlord until the final inspection, if there is no damage and the property is cleaned to the agreed standard it will be refunded.
There is also the advantage that we’ll hold a number of our classroom sessions in the living area of the Newquay Bay Apartment, as it’s a great spot for group discussions, video analysis and training. This is super handy for those living there; logistics couldn’t be easier, they can leave their laptop and notebooks at home, and it’s the quickest commute on record!
SUNSET VIEWS APARTMENT, PENTIRE, NEWQUAY
Our first apartment overlooks Pentire Headland and benefits from lots of natural light in a spacious living area. This two-bedroom property is perfectly located close to Fistral Beach and Newquay Town Centre; ideal for a post-lesson surf or a bite to eat in the evening. Both the Gannel Estuary and Crantock Beach are within a five-minute walk too, with the coastal path or main road being accessible from the apartment.
Our luxury apartment is located on the third floor with both elevator and staircase access. There is also a spacious, open-plan kitchen diner to enjoy home-made meals after a hard day of training. There is a juliet balcony in the kitchen that enjoys morning sunshine for alfresco breakfasts too. The dining room houses a large dinner table which is a great space for working or eating while enjoying ocean views out across Fistral Beach.
In the large lounge you will find a sofa-bed, flat-screen TV, plenty of space and a private south-facing balcony. This means you will benefit from sunshine all day alongside excellent opportunities to check the surf and catch some epic sunsets.
Each of the two bedrooms have a set of twin beds, a wardrobe, chest of drawers, bedside table and reading light. One has an en-suite with two hand basins, a bath, shower and toilet. There is also a separate bathroom and WC. Both bedrooms have stunning sea views for that ultimate hint of luxury.
NEWQUAY BAY APARTMENT, THE HARBOUR, NEWQUAY
The second choice of accommodation is our Newquay Bay Apartment, a place where you really couldn’t get any closer to the action if you tried. This apartment is ideally located directly above the Newquay Activity Centre HQ, making it the perfect choice for those who like to snooze that alarm clock every once in a while!
Newquay Bay Apartment is a modern, quiet, two-bedroom property that benefits from brand new fixtures and fittings due to a complete refurbishment in 2021. There is a new and modern kitchen as well as a brand new bathroom. The apartment is just a two-minute walk to Newquay Harbour where you will find one of our favourite wild swimming spots and idyllic ocean views. In the opposite direction, but just as close, you’ll find Newquay Town Centre with an abundance of coffee shops, restaurants and surf shops.
Inside the property there is a large and spacious living room/diner, comprising a sofa bed and brand new 52” TV. There is also a sizable dining table that lends itself nicely to group meals. Alternatively, it can double up as a large work or study space to go over your course notes in the evening. During the course we may transform the living room into a lush workspace to deliver some relaxed lessons in a chilled atmosphere.
The two bedrooms are both twin rooms with zip-link beds; these can be connected together if you’re after a private double room or you’re staying with a partner. Both rooms have wardrobes, chests of drawers, bedside tables and reading lights.
The living room space benefits from four large windows that face out across Towan, Great Western and beyond – all the way to Watergate Bay on a clear day! There is also a large south-facing courtyard to the rear of the property, perfect for catching some rays or hanging wetsuits out to dry.
You can view more images of our accommodation.
You will be in an apartment with fellow students from the course and we will do our best to place you with people of similar ages, backgrounds and interests. This will vary depending on course participants. You will be sharing a same-sex twin room.
Payment Plans
SPLIT THE COST OF YOUR COURSE INTO EASY PAYMENTS!
When booking one of our courses the are four easy options for payment:
1. PAY IN FULL – Pay the full amount in one, that’s it, you’re done!
2. 50/50 – Pay 50% deposit and the remaining 50% at an agreed date
3. MONTHLY PAYMENT PLAN – Pay an initial holding fee (of as little as £100 and we can then set up monthly payments to come out on the 1st of each month.
We can’t guarantee your place until we have received a payment from you. To hold the place for more than 24 hours we require a non-returnable holding fee. This can be as little as £100 and will be deducted from your final payment for the course.
Once you have made a payment, you’ll then be sent a confirmation email with booking details on. Full Payment must be received 12 weeks prior to the course start date.
Life After The Course
Where can you go from here?
With Foundation Surf Training under your belt, the world is your oyster. You will be equipped and confident to go open water swimming, surfing, bodyboarding, stand up paddleboarding or kayaking independently. The ocean will be your playground, and you’ll have the knowledge and skills to go out and enjoy it.
Further training is available for those who want to keep building on their ocean skills. If you get a taste for outdoor life, then why not consider a course with the Outdoor Activity Instructor Academy. You can kiss goodbye to your office job and mundane 9-5; and say hello to the ocean. The ultimate office and classroom, it’s got to be the most inspiring and worthwhile environment to invest your time and energy.