A New Pathway for Surfing in Britain & Irelaand
After returning from a highly successful two-month coaching trip abroad, it became clear to me that there is incredible potential for a truly world-class surfing pathway in Britain and Ireland. The waves delivered, the athletes were hungry to learn, and the demand for high-quality coaching was stronger than ever.
I’m excited to share this pathway with you — a long-term plan designed to support young surfers from club level all the way through to the WSL Junior Tour (JQS) and eventually the WSL Qualifying Series (WQS).
Building From the Ground Up: Boardriders Training Camps
The heart of this pathway starts with the Boardriders clubs across Ireland and Britain.
During my recent trip, I ran multiple training camps with these clubs, focusing on timing, tides, and the best possible wave windows. The results were exceptional, and the feedback was clear: athletes want structured, progressive coaching that helps them reach the next level.
Starting next year, I’ll be running Boardriders Training Camps every Spring and Autumn, timed for the best conditions.
Two Coaching Streams (Britain & Ireland)
Because both nations have strong young talent coming through and a wide range of ability levels, each region will run two clear coaching streams:
Intermediate / Advanced
Advanced / Elite
This ensures age-appropriate, level-appropriate coaching while allowing athletes to progress smoothly up the pathway.
These camps will also serve as an opportunity for talent identification, with promising surfers invited to join me on the WSL Junior Qualifying Series starting around age 16.
Collaboration With Local Coaches
An important part of this pathway is continuity.
Athletes spend most of the year training at home, so I believe in working together with their local coaches on the ground.
I’m committed to collaborating closely with each surfer’s home coach to ensure:
This unified coaching model ensures that surfers receive the strongest possible support system — both at home and during camps or competitions.
The WSL Junior Tour Pathway (Ages 16–18)
Getting into the WSL JQS is challenging — there are only three real ways:
For most young surfers, the first two years (ages 16–18) are all about:
1.Gaining entry into events
2.Building seeding
3.Learning to compete
4.Climbing the rankings
By the time an athlete reaches 18, the focus shifts to pushing for:
During these later junior years, surfers will also begin entering WSL Regional Qualifying Series events to start establishing a seeding for their transition into full-time WQS competition.
This phase is crucial — and results during this period help us determine whether an athlete is ready to pursue a professional career or whether an alternative path makes more sense.
European & International Training Camps
To support this progression, I will run high-quality training camps throughout Europe and beyond. These camps will also be held in Spring and Autumn, giving us the best chance of scoring excellent waves.
European Locations
Premium International Camps
In addition to the budget-friendly camps, I’ll be offering more exclusive — but still affordable — coaching trips during the southern hemisphere wave season, including:
These trips offer world-class waves and ideal training conditions for accelerated progression.
Introducing the Annual Training Menu
One of the most exciting elements of this pathway is the annual “Training Menu”, which parents and athletes will be able to select from based on:
Everything will be planned around optimal wave seasons, development priorities, and competition calendars.
I also plan to introduce wave pool sessions, especially for Advanced and Elite surfers, to fast-track progressive surfing in a controlled, repeatable environment.
A Sustainable Coaching Rhythm
As many of you know, I work in structured blocks to balance high-quality coaching with valuable time at home. This pathway will follow the same rhythm — ensuring consistent availability without sacrificing sustainability.
A Strong Future Ahead
I’m incredibly excited about building this pathway for England and Ireland. The foundation is strong, the talent is there, and the opportunity has never been better.
Together, we can create a clear, supportive, professional route for young surfers who want to chase their dreams — whether that’s competing internationally or simply becoming the best surfers they can be.
