It's Who We are
At Perranporth Surf School, our philosophy is straightforward: delivering top-quality surf lessons that are both educational and enjoyable, all at the best possible value. Since our modest beginnings in 2004, we've remained true to this commitment, earning a strong reputation as one of Cornwall’s premier surf schools. It’s this dedication that keeps our customers coming back year after year.
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Perfectly positioned right on the beach during the summer, our base is just a stone’s throw from the waves—literally! As a fully insured surf school, we are regulated by and affiliated with Surfing England, the UK’s national governing body for surfing. Our instructors are highly experienced, fully qualified Surfing England and ISA (International Surfing Association) coaches, as well as certified beach lifeguards, ensuring you’re in safe and capable hands—promise!
The Team
Gav
Owner & Manager
Country of Birth: South Africa
Years Surfing: 38
Years Coaching: 22
Qualifications: Surfing England/ISA Level 2 Instructor; SLSGB Beach Lifeguard
Places Travelled/Surfed: South Africa, UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Mexico
Interesting Fact: Worked as part of the water safety crew on the Robin Hood filmset in 2009
Kate
Owner & Manager
Country of Birth: England
Years Surfing:
Years Coaching:
Qualifications:
Places Travelled/Surfed:
Interesting Fact:
Patch
Instructor
Country of Birth: Jersey, Channel Islands
Years Surfing: 10
Years Coaching: 3
Qualifications: ISA/Surfing England Level 1 Surf Coach Award; SLSGB Beach Lifeguard
Places Travelled/Surfed: Mauritius, UK, Portugal, France, Spain, Canada
Interesting Fact:
Alex
Instructor
Country of Birth: England
Years Surfing:
Years Coaching: 3
Qualifications: ISA/Surfing England Level 1 Surf Coach Award; SLSGB Beach Lifeguard
Places Travelled/Surfed:
Interesting Fact:
Ru
Instructor
Country of Birth: England
Years Surfing: 16
Years Coaching: 5
Qualifications: ISA/Surfing England Level 1 Surf Coach Award; Royal Lifesaving Society NVBLQ Beach Lifeguard
Places Travelled/Surfed: Scotland, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Ecuador, Costa Rica, USA
Interesting Fact:
Tarq
Instructor
Country of Birth: Kuwait
Years Surfing: 31
Years Coaching: 22
Qualifications: ISA/Surfing England Level 2 Surf Coach Award; SLSGB Beach Lifeguard
Places Travelled/Surfed:
UK, South Africa, Philippines, New Zealand, France, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Canary islands.
Favourite waves: Jeffreys bay, SA; Mangamaunu, NZ; Perran Sands, Cornwall
Motto: Dare to dream big, the only limitations are those in your mind.
Luka
Instructor
Country of Birth: England
Years Surfing: 9
Years Coaching: 4
Qualifications: ISA/Surfing England Level 1 Surf Coach; SLSGB Surf Coach Safety Award
Places Travelled/Surfed: Australia, Portugal, Spain, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala
Interesting Fact: I love pizza and boardshorts
Jamie
Instructor
Country of Birth: England
Years Surfing: 35
Years Coaching: 7
Qualifications: ISA/Surfing England Level 1 Surf Coach Award; SLSGB Beach Lifeguard
Places Travelled/Surfed: France, Spain, Dominican Republic, Cape Verde, Bali.
Interesting Fact: Taught ex Gladiator, "Amazon", and multiple Olympic Gold Medallist swimmer, Sharron Davies MBE, to surf.
Seb
Instructor
Country of Birth: England
Years Surfing: 8
Years Coaching: 4
Qualifications: ISA/Surfing England Level 1 Surf Coach Award; SLSGB Beach Lifeguard
Places Travelled/Surfed: Ecuador, Spain, Canary Islands, France, UK and Portugal
Interesting Fact: I grew up in France and Ecuador.
Lily
Instructor
Country of Birth: England
Years Surfing:
Years Coaching:
Qualifications: ISA/Surfing England Level 1 Surf Coach Award; SLSGB Beach Lifeguard
Places Travelled/Surfed:
Interesting Fact:
Joe
Instructor
Country of Birth: England
Years Surfing: 12
Years Coaching: 1st Year
Qualifications: ISA/Surfing England Level 1 Surf Coach Award; SLSGB Coach Rescue Award
Places Travelled/Surfed: Mexico, Portugal, France, UK, Sri Lanka, India, USA
Interesting Fact: I taught myself to play the guitar
Maya
Instructor
Country of Birth: England
Years Surfing:
Years Coaching:
Qualifications: ISA/Surfing England Level 1 Surf Coach Award; SLSGB Beach Lifeguard
Places Travelled/Surfed:
Interesting Fact:
Sam
Assistant Instructor
Country of Birth: England
Years Surfing: 13
Years Coaching: 1
Qualifications: ISA/Surfing England Junior Surf Coach Award; SLSGB Beach Lifeguard
Places Travelled/Surfed: UK, France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Cape Verde, Australia, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Sri Lanka
Interesting Fact: I had the opportunity to meet World Champion surfer Joel Parkinson and Jason Stevenson, the shaper of JS Surfboards.