We have a new blog!

Times are a changing, and we ahve a cool lokoing new blog to go with our new website, check it out here http://blog.errantsurf.com/

See you there!

When can you start learning to surf?

We get asked a lot how young can you start learning to surf.

Well ten years ago, before surf schools the typical start up age was about 16 - 22 years old. As surfers grew older and had children themselves surfing has started to be passed down to the kids. This is becoming quite the norm, since the explosion of surfing in the 60’s and its spread across the world, we are now seeing three generations of surfers in one family in the US, Europe, Australia and NZ.

As such the age of any budding surfer, can be as young at three. As long as the surfing is private, prefable with a parent who understands the basics of surfing, and is not going to push them to hard.

At our surf schools we typically teach as young as seven or eight, again it really depends on the childs confidence in the water. The surf coaching for young people is always done on a private basis, and it knee deep water. We find it is more about building confidence, over actual surfing technique.

SURF YOUR WAY INTO NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Do you know someone who’s a mad surfer and is aged 16-25 and currently out of education, work or training? If they’re looking for a fresh and wave-influenced way to make themselves employable then the perfect opportunity could be just about to take off for them and if they get in now, they could be on their way to earning a range of qualifications, skills and knowledge. That’s because an exciting six week programme called Cross Step is on the hunt for its first 10 Cornish recruits. Those who take the plunge will get to hit the waves and train as surf coaches and beach lifeguards, finding employment in those and other surf-related jobs at the end of the course.

The Entry into Employment Team within the Real Ideas Organisation (RIO) has teamed up with Groundswell (www.ground-swell.co.uk) the new initiative to inspire and educate surfers to create Cross Step. For the right recruits, this new programme is the ideal chance to gain real qualifications and confidence that can translate into a long term career in an area that the young people love. As a result of the six week course, attendees will leave with a NARS Beach Lifeguard Award, British Surfing Association (BSA) Award, work experience and further surf coach training. The course will be led by two highly respected surf coaches who will become the Cross Step in-house project leads. Both are BSA level 3 coaches which means that have already trained beyond the basic requirement for surf school employment or a job with the RNLI, so are more than ready to pass on everything they know to the Cornish crew. There will also be transferrable skills training for the Cross Steppers in making presentations and putting together CVs built into the course, making it flexible and relevant to all participants.

The course will start in late June so the deadline for applications is 15^th June. Anyone who thinks they may be eligible for the first 10 should contact Hannah on 01872 275187 by 29 May or check out the Groundswell young people’s surf website for links.

Surfing Lessons in Newquay

Surfing Lessons in Newquay

Great surfing lessons in Newquay last weekend, sunshine, perfect waves and plenty of chill time after the surfing lessons in Newquay. Fiona and friends joined us for their Hen do in Newquay staying at the surf lodge in Newquay as did Victoria and her Hens who stayed with us at the Trebarwith hotel in Newquay.

The surfing lessons in Newquay took place at Great Western beach, with light winds and fun waves the girls had a blast! If you would like to book some surfing lessons with us in Newquay you can visit either www.errantsurf.com or www.errantsurfschool.co.uk

We cater for small groups, and provide the best possible surf lessons in Newquay from our surf coaches, all of which hold up to a level four British Surfing Association surf coach award, the highest in the UK.

Justin Lee Collins Takes On the Pro Surfers In Croyde

After a month of training with Errant Surf Holidays coach Chris Thomson, British comedian Justin Lee-Collins headed out for his first ever surf contest. The BPSA Saltrock event took place over last weekend, the day started with small, almost flat conditions but as the tide came in through the day the swell increased to head high waves.

JLC found himself up against Europe's best surfer Russel Winter, local surfers Scott Rannochan and Lyden Wake. During the 15 minute heat JLC only managed to score a 0.4 and a 0.3, out of a possible 20.

Errant's Chris Thomson commented "Justin has come from never surfing before, to being able to go out into the Ocean, catch a decent size wave, jump to his feet and surf to the beach in total control is an excellent achievement for the short amount of time he has been surfing."

JLC has been training to surf for a new Sky One series out in July, stay tuned to find out when.

Errant Nominated for 2009 Awards

As a UK registered company based in the Newquay, Cornwall, Errant Surf Holidays and managing director Chris Thomson have been nominated for the short list in the Cornwall's Young Business Person Award 2009. The Grand Dinner and awards take place on the 14th May at St Mellion International Hotel. Good luck!

Great Waves For Easter Weekend

Fun surf is hitting the shores of Newquay this evening and we are expecting more good waves over the weekend, and into the week. Spring is generally one of the best times of the year to surf in Cornwall, due to better weather patterns and an abundance of surf from the Atlantic ocean.

Don't forget we have a massive 50% off surfing lessons in Newquay if you wish to join us next week.

Call now or e-mail us on escape@errantsurf.com

Recession Named The Reason For Worldwide Slump In Shark Attacks!

A recent report from the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida cited the recession as the reason for a decline in shark attacks last year.

“Shark attacks worldwide in 2008 dipped to their lowest level in five years, a sign that Americans may be forgoing vacation trips to the beach,” the report said.

It’s either that, or sharks have hunkered in the depths to weather the recession themselves. But people who are way smarter than me, namely George Burgess, an ichthyologist and director of the International Shark Attack File, thinks the drop in shark attack numbers is directly related to the economic downturn.

“I can’t help but think that contributing to that reduction may have been the reticence of some people to take holidays and go to the beach for economic reasons,” Burgess said. “We noticed similar declines during the recession that followed the events of 2001, despite the fact that human populations continued to rise.”

This may be so. After all, his logic is sound and his use of words such as reticence makes me want to believe him. But so far, the outlook for 2009 doesn’t look as rosy. Especially after numerous shark attacks on surfers around the world, including two fatal attacks in South Africa and an alarming number of incidents in Australia.

Couple this with the fact that the recession itself is freeing up a lot of time for people to go surfing when they would normally be working, it seems that this theory might not hold up in the long run.

Head Surf Coach Teaches JLC to Surf

TV star Justin Lee Collins is took time out of hosting his chat show The Justin Lee Collins Show on ITV2, to learn to surf for a new Sky One series due out in June. Errant's head surf coach Chris Thomson, alongside Watergate Bay's Carl Coombe have been tasked with the mission to take Justin from total new surfer to compete in the May's English Nationals. All the surf coaching is taking place at the stunning Newquay beach of Watergate Bay.

Try Surfing For Less This Easter

Come learn to surf in Newquay this Easter and save 50% on our half day taster surf sessions!
You day will start at 10am, where the team will meet you and equip you with the latest surfing equipment, you will head down to the beach via our private access to Great Western beach. A theory lesson, followed by quality water coaching from some of the best coaches in the UK. All for £15 with surfing equipment!

Check out our Newquay surf school website for the latest deals here.

Head coach Chris Thomson