The group prepare for the day

Beth Mason - training tips

Rob covers the basics

GIRLS IN ACTION - Surfgirl Summer Surf Weekend 7-8 July!

On 7-8th July, the first of four Gul SurfGirl coaching weekends took place at Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall.

The weekends (which will also run on 9-10th Sept, 23-24th Sept and 7-8th Oct) are aimed at introducing girls to surfing and the surf lifestyle with yoga, health, fitness and socialising as well.

With a less than promising forecast for the conditions, more than 30 girls from all walks of life showed up with true enthusiasm and dedication, including a group from Tennessee U.S. Winds subsided for just long enough and the clouds broke away for some blue bird skies and July sunshine. The conditions were now perfect on Fistral, with cleanish sets of 2-3 ft and plenty of white water for the absolute beginners. Rob Barber from the English Surfing Federation was there as coach, accompanied by Beth Mason (U18 champion) and Lee Ryan (5 Times National Longboard Champion), dishing out lots of helpful advice and giving the girls an insight into the world of surfing.

Gul supplied all the girls with a goody bag containing stickers, sun cream, t-shirts and other ‘must-haves’ in conjunction with SurfGirl magazine. A BBQ was scheduled for the evening and enjoyed by all. In the evening those of the girls with enough energy made it out to Koolas for some après surf drinks and stories.

A well as coverage in local papers and on radio, ITV Westcountry came down and filmed on the Saturday morning, giving some of the girls their first taste of stardom.

Sunday gave way to some more beautiful July sunshine, with the girls showing the coaches what they were made of, in their suits and ready to go. Conditions, however, were too rough for Fistral, and certainly for the coaching. And so the morning’s activities took place in the Harbour, which was welcoming with some really nice waves. After lunch, the winds had calmed and so the girls resumed coaching on Fistral again.

The weekend was finished with a mini prize giving for best wipeout, most improved and best ride. Followed by a relaxing yoga session to stretch out those muscles.

The next Gul / SurfGirl weekend takes place in Newquay on 9-10th September.