Searching Availability…
Foundation Surf Training is for everyone over the age of 16 who wants to increase their safety, confidence and knowledge for recreational ocean activities. It will provide you with a vital set of skills that you’ll apply everytime you go into the ocean. If you dream of being equipped and prepared to go open water swimming, surfing, bodyboarding, stand up paddleboarding or kayaking independently, then this course is a great investment for you.
It’s time to boost your water confidence and surf skills
Women and Waves is offering the Foundation Surf Training Course (FST) to those who want to build water confidence, increase their knowledge of the beach environment and improve their abilities within the surf zone. It’s been created based on feedback from our Outdoor Activity, Surf Instructor and Lifeguard students, to provide a head start before the course begins; but is an equally useful and vocational course for recreational water users.
If you dream of feeling confident enough to head out for a surf or a paddleboard 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.
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.
What’s covered in the Foundation Surf training?
Pre-requisites
To supplement our Foundation Surf Training, we have a couple of in-house accommodation options available to add on as 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. Because if this we are unable to guarantee which flat you’ll be in until close to the course start date.
Please note: the cost of accommodation is not included in the course price. Accommodation cost is £250 for the 1-week course and is due 12 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!
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.
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 course 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.
There is also the advantage that we will hold a number of classroom sessions in the large lounge in the apartment as it is a great spot for group discussions, training etc. We also base some of the coaching weekends which you will have the opportunity to work as a shadow instructor on, at the apartment. We will explain to you, during your induction how we manage this to ensure that it doesn’t impact on your living environment.
View our accommodation for more images.
I’m a recreational water user and don’t plan on working as an instructor. Is Foundation Surf Training for me?
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 feeling confident enough to head out for a surf or a paddleboard 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…
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.
I’m thinking about doing the Women and Waves Outdoor Activity Instructor Course. Is Foundation Surf Training for me?
Foundation Surf Training gives the ultimate taster of the outdoor activity industry. If you’re considering signing up to the Outdoor Activity Instructor Course, then Foundation Surf Training will give you an inside track. You’ll gain an insight into life as an instructor, become familiar with the learning environment, and get head start on building your surfing skills. You’ll be able to gauge your physical fitness and capabilities, and come away with a bespoke fitness and surf plan of what to work on in the run up to your course. You’ll get ahead on both the theory and practical skills, and have time to build your confidence and capabilities in the water before your course starts
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.
If you’re considering joining the Outdoor Activity Instructor Academy then you’re someone who presumably would like to use the ocean all year round. At times, you’ll be guaranteed to 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. Foundation Surf Training will equip you to make these decisions, and stay safe as you enjoy the ocean 365 days a year.
I’m booked on to do the Women and Waves Outdoor Activity Instructor Course. Is Foundation Surf Training for me?
Foundation Surf Training 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 course. 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.
Foundation Surf Training has been developed directly from the feedback of previous Outdoor Activity Instructor Academy students, and so we recommend Foundation Surf Training as a bolt-on before your instructor course starts. The Foundation course runs the week before the Outdoor Activity Instructor Course begins, 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 Women and Waves Intensive Surf Instructor Course. Is Foundation Surf Training for me?
Foundation Surf Training 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.
Women and Waves is partnered with Newquay Activity Centre, who’ve been delivering training courses since 2001. Newquay Activity Centre will act as our physical HQ for the course, which is great as they have a wealth of facilities and equipment.
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:
Progression
As the leading training provider of Instructor courses in Cornwall, we offer you a progression pathway on to one of our other courses after Foundation Surf Training ends. This means we can get to know you, build a relationship, and support you as best we can throughout your learning journey.
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.
Where can you go from here?
With Foundation Surf Training under your belt, you’ll be equipped and confident to go open water swimming, surfing, bodyboarding, stand up paddleboarding or kayaking independently. Now that you have the knowledge and skills to go out and enjoy it, the ocean will be your playground, and the world your oyster.
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 ultimate office and classroom – the ocean!
You could also join us on one of our Women and Waves surf coaching weekends, or international trips. If you dream of surfing in Bali, Costa Rica or Barbados… then look no further than a trip of a lifetime with Women and Waves.
AREA
We might be slightly biassed, but we think the landscapes around Cornwall (or ‘Kernow’ to the locals) are some of the most interesting, varied and adventurous landscapes in the whole of the U.K. We have golden beaches, crystal-clear waters, historic fishing towns and rugged coastlines; and that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
Head inland and you will find even more raw beauty with rolling green hills, cavernous mines, ancient stone structures, vast moorlands and granite-topped mountains. And while the landscape holds a picture-perfect gaze in the eye, the undulating lands are also a symbol of the history surrounding Cornwall itself. From gin-smuggling pirates on the coast, to the tin-mining villages in the hills, to the legend of King Arthur in Tintagel; there’s so much to explore and learn.
NEWQUAY
Newquay is our home and we couldn’t be more proud to welcome course students to this relaxed and friendly surf town. It’s a place filled with independent retailers, artisan coffee shops, high-end eateries and epic beaches. There are surf shops to stock supplies and welcoming pubs for well-earned rests; you might end up staying a little longer than you expected!
Grab a coffee and people watch, or wake up early to catch an epic sunrise over Fistral Beach. While you’re in town, be sure to make the most of your 15% discount at Newquay’s Rip Curl store on Bank Street.
WAVES
There’s a reason that Newquay is known as the surf capital of the UK. In part due to the relaxed and easy-going lifestyle, but mostly because of the epic beaches and the consistent Atlantic swell that Newquay benefits from year-round.
Most of our beaches work best with different conditions. This means that no matter the tide, wind or swell direction, you’re always likely to find something worth heading out for. All of our instructors have excellent local knowledge so you needn’t worry about missing out. We’ll visit the best-known breaks, our secret surf spots and also explore a little further off the beaten track.
TOWAN BEACH
This sheltered, sandy bay is the perfect spot when the west-facing beaches are big and blown out. It’s the most friendly break for beginners, and you’ll almost always find a fun, clean wave here.
FISTRAL
Backed by rugged cliffs and sand dunes, Fistral Beach is the jewel in the crown of Cornwall’s surf scene. It delivers waves on every stage of the tide and serves up dreamy conditions on an offshore southeasterly wind. You can almost always find a suitable peak for your ability.
GREAT WESTERN BEACH
Wedged between Towan and Tolcarne, this is one of Newquay’s central beaches. It offers consistent and clean conditions in a southwesterly wind. There are plenty of lefts and rights for everyone.
THE GANNEL ESTUARY
The Gannel is Newquay’s relaxed river alternative to the buzz of the beaches. Turquoise waters sashay their way past golden sand banks, local wildlife and vibrant green hills. Once a prominent passage for schooners and barges, the estuary holds a whole host of historic tales and secrets just waiting to be explored.
THE ‘GAZZLE’
Gazzle is the Cornish word for armpit. Affectionately used to refer to a 2 km-stretch of Atlantic coastline, this area of protected coves, cliffs and caves is a fantastic place for kayaking, coasteering and paddleboarding. The Gazzle has proved to be a firm favourite for customers and instructors alike.
Other great spots nearby include Crantock, Perranporth and Watergate Bay. There are plenty more that offer uncrowded perfection on their day – you just need to know where to look. That’s where we come in.
CLIMATE
Cornwall’s climate is fairly unique and independent from the rest of the UK’s weather patterns. Thanks to the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic ocean and the jet stream in the atmosphere, we enjoy the warmest sea and air temperatures in the country with a relatively mild climate year-round.
Each bay, beach and pocket of adventure seems to have its own microclimate in Cornwall. It’s best to be prepared by always keeping sun cream packed in your bag just in case those rays start to filter through the cloud.
The benefit of this means we are able to deliver our course year-round; spring, summer, autumn or winter. We have many sheltered spots along our stretch of coastline along with all the correct technical equipment for the relevant season. We are well-equipped to deliver practical lessons in all weathers and conditions.
Each day of your course will be broken up with a midday lunch break. This could be at home, in town, in the centre or on the move – we like to keep the adventure alive! Please bring your own lunch and snacks to refuel your body between sessions. The course is physically demanding so energy-rich foods and healthy snacks are recommended. Please also bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. We highly advocate the use of reusable bottles to limit plastic waste and to reduce our carbon footprint as a company.
Newquay town has a vast selection of excellent shops and cafes so if you forget to bring some lunch, you won’t go hungry! As a member of our course, you will also benefit from discounts at local cafes and coffee shops – we will supply you with a discount card on arrival.
If you are booking accommodation through us and staying in either of our apartments, you will have full access to a modern working kitchen. This will give you the opportunity to self-cater and help keep your costs down throughout the course.
ON FOOT
Both our accommodation options are within walking distance to both Fistral Beach and Newquay Bay, the town centre and many local supermarkets.
BY CAR
Newquay is a 15-minute drive from the A30, which links to the M5.
Our main centre is based on Fore Street, near Towan Beach. We’ll send you detailed information before your arrival, including parking instructions and maps.
BY TRAIN
The railway station is in the town centre.
BY AIR
We’re a 20-minute drive from the airport. You can fly into Newquay from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Dublin, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Flights are also available from key European cities.
We Offer 3 Easy Ways To Pay!
We can’t guarantee your place until we have received a payment from you.
Once you have made a payment, you’ll then be sent a confirmation email with all details on.
Due to this course being in high demand, we have very limited availability. However, we can hold your space for 24 hours without payment.
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
As you can imagine you will be learning lots of technical skills from our team. Some are harder than others and we think surfing may be the most difficult to learn from scratch. However, we have proved this to be achievable for first-time surfers during the course.
If you think you may benefit from a few extra sessions before or during the course, check out our surf lessons and get in touch, we will discuss how this works.
You don’t need to be a strong swimmer to enrol on this course but we do recommend that you can swim at least 100m in the pool and sea. During this course we will advise you on what is required for you to achieve the standards for the SLSGB Surf Coach Safety Awad and NVBLQ.
If you’re concerned about your swimming ability we’d recommend enrolling on a course well before your Lifeguarding assessment.
To gain an SLSGB Surf Coach Safety Award, you need to be able to swim 200m in under 5 minutes. This is quite achievable for most standards of swimmers. To gain the NVBLQ BEach Lifeguard you must be able to swim 400m in under 8 minutes.
Start time: 09:00 – Finish time: 16:00. Please note that these times are approximate and will be subject to change. For example, we may need to start earlier to catch a tide or we may finish later due to sessions overrunning. We will inform you about this when possible so you can plan ahead. Please let us know if you won’t be available outside the hours of 09:00- 16:00.
We try our utmost to make our courses enjoyable and informative. We hope that our students want to gain as much knowledge as possible during this time of learning and that hopefully flexibility will come from the passion to learn. You will get out of this course whatever you put into it and we appreciate your enthusiasm for making the most of the available resources.
Due to the nature of the job we can appreciate there’s some pretty specialist equipment that not everybody will own. If you already have some of your own equipment (such as a wetsuit)) we recommend bringing it with you to use on the course. However, don’t worry if this is all totally new to you; you’re more than welcome to borrow kit and equipment during your course. We’ll help you pick out the best equipment if you’re looking to get your own.
We appreciate that costs add up and that you may need to delay investing in your equipment until a little later on. If this is the case, our helpful instructors will be able to sign over Newquay Activity Centre equipment for you to borrow during the course. This is to be kept safe and taken care of until the time comes to return it. Any loss or damage to the kit will be charged accordingly.
Our HQ is situated within walking distance to many of the sites we will be using throughout the course. We are located in Newquay town centre with lots of paid and unpaid parking options close to us. We are also just a short walk to both Towan and Fistral beaches, with many surf shops and cafés nearby.
On some days it will be necessary to venture further afield to make use of the conditions and the environment. On these days we encourage our students to car share as much as possible (please note our Covid guidelines). This helps to lower our carbon footprint and to split the cost of fuel. If you are happy to take fellow students in your vehicle then please let our instructors know. Travelling won’t be necessary every day but widening our activity net on the odd day will help to expose you to new surroundings and landscapes.
Our Newquay Activity Centre van will be fully loaded to supply these trips with the equipment they need. However, if you are struggling for space in your vehicle please let us know and it may be possible to arrange something in advance.
Yes, please see the accommodation tab for more information and pictures of the accommodation.
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.
There will generally be ratios of 1:8 (instructor to pupil) for all activity training. However, theory classes may have larger ratios. You’ll often be broken down into smaller groups and all learning will observe the correct social distancing guidelines.
You must be over 16 to join the course. If you are 65 or over, or under 18 we’d love to chat to you about the course before you book. Please email us to arrange a time and we’ll contact you. Or you can call us on 01637 877 722
If you can’t join the course, please let us know as soon as possible via email. Your cancellation notice will start from the date we receive it.
Cancellation charges for the Outdoor Activity Instructor Academy, courses and modules are payable as follows:
Cancellation may fall under the terms and conditions of your holiday insurance policy and you may be able to claim.
Find out more under our terms and conditions.
We understand that plans change. If you are looking to change courses please speak to one of our team. Depending on how close the course start day is this may incur an admin fee