| Specifications | |
| Location(s) | Beach Rd, Newquay TR8 5RN |
| Key Stages | Upper KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5 |
| Special Schools | No |
| Public Liability | 10,000,000 |
| Enhanced DBS | Yes |
| Fees | Please contact us with details of your requirements |
| Administration Service | Administered by the provider |
| Website | https://www.biggreensurfschool.com/ |
More about this Workshop/Service and the Provider
Who we are?
Big Green Surf School is the sole activity provider on the stunning, National Trust managed, Crantock Beach in Cornwall, providing expert tuition in surfing, bodyboarding and stand-up-paddleboarding to all abilities. With experienced, passionate and fully qualified coaches we enable students of all abilities to experience a host of amazing activities in a safe, enjoyable and rewarding way.
What we offer...
We offer fully customisable activity weeks, day trips and coaching on a private Cornish beach and would love to work with you to create the perfect trip or holiday for your students.
Additionally we provide dedicated, bespoke training and advice on key concepts that promote safety and understanding in the beach environment, as well as promoting environmental and sustainability awareness and how to protect the marine environment. We can introduce students to scientific principles that govern waves, current, sediment, tide and weather, linking in to National Curriculum objectives or lesson content provided by your school.
Who we work with...
We’re proud to work with schools from all over the world, each with different requirements and preferences. From small groups of 10 students for an afternoon away from school, right up to groups of over 200 students on a dedicated adventure week. We’ll customise a package to your requirements, complementing key concepts being taught in the classroom if required, or just ensuring that staff and students alike have an unforgettable trip!
The Big Green Surf School team also has extensive experience working with students with a range of differing needs, including behavioural disorders, learning difficulties and physical disabilities. Our coaches are passionate about ensuring all students have the same opportunity to enjoy the ocean. The nature of the beach environment does mean some adaptations can be a challenge however we are committed to find a solution to overcome any potential obstacles. If you have any specific queries then please get in touch and we’ll be happy to discuss how we can make sure our activities are fully inclusive for all students.
Why choose us?
We have a fantastic reputation for offering personal coaching in small groups to all of our customers and we extend that same principle to our school groups. We prefer to teach students in smaller, personal groups so that their coach can really get to know which techniques work for each student. This also enhances their safety, increases their enjoyment and ultimately fast-tracks their improvement in their chosen activity.
Our surf lessons are suitable for all abilities, from complete beginner up to competition level. Crantock has amazing waves without the crowds of nearby Newquay. This means your students can enjoy surfing safely, with the space to relax and really make the most of the expert tuition they’ll receive from our coaches.
Our stand-up-paddleboarding (SUP) sessions range from enclosed water beginner sessions and technique coaching to coastal exploration or fun and games on our 10-person “Monster SUP”. We have an exclusive launch area onto the Gannel estuary, which is one of the premier SUP locations in Cornwall, offering a safe space for anyone to learn how to paddle.
Alternatively bodyboarding is a great option for younger students, those with different needs or those who are less confident in the water. Bodyboarding can be a first step towards stand-up surfing or an amazing sport in it’s own rite. Additionally it’s a very accessible option for those with different needs, ensuring that every student can enjoy that amazing feeling of catching waves.
What does a trip look like?
All of our school packages are fully customisable and we tailor each visit specifically to your school’s needs. Here’s an example of what a 1 day activity package for a group of 30 students could look like:
09:00 - Arrive at Crantock Beach for welcome and briefing
09:30 - Issuing wetsuits & begin getting changed
10:00 - Head to the water’s edge in 5 groups 6 students, each with their own instructor, safety briefing and basic prone (lying down) surfing tuition.
10:20 - Enter water to practice prone surfing techniques with personal feedback for every student.
10:45 - Return to beach to recap technique and teach students how to go from lying to standing on the board (pop-up).
11:00 - Hit the water again to try standing up on a surfboard for the first time under the supervision of instructors. Feedback on every wave and assistance for everyone.
11:30 - Return to the beach for a tweak up of techniques, covering common mistakes and introducing new challenges where needed.
11:40 - Back into the water for the last spell of surfing including tricks and games.
12:00 - Catch last wave, quick de-brief at the water’s edge then back to base to store equipment and change out of wetsuits.
12:30 - Lunch which can either be brought by the school/students or which we can arrange to provided for you.
13:15 - Land-based tuition covering beach safety, reading waves, environment & sustainability in the beach environment. We do this in a dynamic, interactive way whilst walking around the beach and dunes to show students real examples of what we’re talking about. Can also tie into a beach-clean if the school would like.
13:45 - Start to change into wetsuits again.
14:00 - Head to the water’s edge to begin SUP Lesson. First we start with a safety brief and explanation of what will be happening, what’s expected of the students and what they’ll be doing.
14:20 - Launch the paddleboards onto the estuary, we use the last of the incoming tide to help us progress up the estuary, tour the students around this amazing venue and then use the draining tide to help us on our way back to the exit point. This tour lasts approximately 2 hours in total, during which time the instructors will not only be teaching the students the paddling technique and balance drills, but explaining the amazing bio-diversity and wildlife we have the Gannel, covering the rich mining and maritime history that this stretch of water holds, showing off some of the old ruins and features along the way, as well as playing games and team-work challenges to the students.
16:00 - Return to the beach for a final debrief. Students stow equipment and get changed out of wetsuits.
16:30 - Final de-brief, we give out awards and prizes for achievements throughout the day. Answer any final questions before students depart.
As mentioned above all of our school packages are bespoke and we’ll work with you to ensure that all participants have a rich and fulfilling experience whichever activities you choose to do!
Do you provide materials, resources?
All specialist equipment (wetsuits, boards, safety equipment, accessories) will be provided and is included free of charge in all school bookings. All participants will need to bring their own swimwear, towels and beach footwear (if required).
When explaining key concepts we may use props/examples where appropriate which help to convey the information to the students.
In some circumstances we are also able to visit the school prior to your visit, to meet the students and to bring examples of the equipment they’ll be using or lending equipment to schools so that students can become familiar with it. We’ve found that this is especially useful for students with different needs who may take longer to feel comfortable with new experiences.
What about safety?
Big Green Surf School is a National Trust authorised activity provider, holds Surfing England Surf School accreditation and a licence from AALA for provision of adventure activities.
We hold insurances in excess of standard requirements and all of our risk assessments, EAPs and other policies are available in PDF format to all schools.
All of our coaches hold full Beach Lifeguard qualifications, nationally and internationally recognised coaching qualifications and are DBS checked. Additionally, we conduct regular in-house training and enhanced training with the RNLI/SLSGB to ensure the safety of our clients. We have extensive first-aid equipment at the surf school and there will be an activity specific first-aid bag with the groups whilst participating in any of our activities.
Testimonials
I went for a weeks tuition with a group of pupils with challenging needs. The rapport that the instructors built up with the pupils was fantastic and the fact that the vast majority of the group were able to stand up on their board by the second lesson speaks wonders for their knowledge and ability to impart it.
Hunter's Hill School
The staff at BGSS are amazing, helpful and easy going at the same time. They are set in one of the most amazing beaches in Cornwall, I already miss it!
Millfield School
We visited BGSS with a group of pupils… what made it outstanding was the attitude and knowledge of the coaches. Their enthusiasm was contagious and the speed that everyone’s surfing improved was truly outstanding.
Stephen Bambridge
Availability & How to Book
We are ready to organise your special event for you and answer any queries you may have.
Please complete the enquiry form below and someone will get back to you.
