Private Surf Lessons in Scarborough

Personal coaching at Cayton Bay – tailored to you

Our private lessons are the most progressive and personal way to improve your surfing. With your instructor’s full attention, each session is tailored to your ability, learning style and goals — whether you’re catching your first white-water waves or refining technique, flow and confidence in larger surf. Every lesson begins with relaxed beachside theory before two hours of focused coaching in the water.

All equipment is included, with a 5mm full-length wetsuit and first pick of our surfboards. Led by ISA-qualified coaches and SLSGB beach lifeguards, sessions take place at beautiful Cayton Bay, Scarborough — the perfect setting to build skills, confidence and a genuine love for surfing.

One to one – Beginner

Our one-to-one lessons are the most progressive and personal route available. Not only will you have our surf instructor’s undivided attention, but they will also carefully plan and adapt the surf lessons to your learning style and personal objectives. You’ll be progressing faster than you ever thought possible.

These intensive sessions begin with some dry-side surf theory and discussion about what you want to achieve, followed by two hours of expert coaching in the water.

You will be provided with a 5mm full length wetsuit and can take first pick from our excellent range of surfboards.

All our coaches are knowledgeable and experienced surfers, qualified ISA Surf coaches and SLSGB beach lifeguards.

Your lesson will be held at Cayton bay, Scarborough’s most beautiful and unspoilt beach! Our Facilities include Parking, Changing rooms, Free Hot showers, picnic area and hot drinks.

Here's what to expect from a beginner lesson:

Private Beginner surf lesson format:

• Beach environment, local information, surf theory
• Warm up
• Water safety, Equipment talk
• Paddling Technique, Board position.
• Water entry and Catching white-water.
• Halfway Beach Assessment.
• Pop-Up technique.
• Back in the water to practice Pop-Up
• End of lesson De-brief

Our passionate coaches have the best local knowledge and can guide you through all your surf queries, whether its simple technique or theory such as; how to read forecast sites, where to find the best conditions or how to achieve the perfect pop up. They have it covered!

Surfing can be the most frustrating lifestyle out there so let us help you make the most of your time in the water.

One to one – Intermediate / Advanced

If you have been surfing a while and you feel like your progress has slowed or come to a stop?

Our intermediate/advanced sessions will give you a push in the right direction. All our sessions are tailor made and focus on your goals.

We will begin with some dry-side surf theory and discussion about what areas you want to work on. This will be followed by 2 hours of expert in water coaching. We also have optional video analysis available upon request. We find video coaching is an invaluable tool to dissect and in turn boost your surfing ability.

We will help you iron out any bad habits and encourage you to push boundaries.

Just one session will fast track your progression and ultimately set you on the right pathway to gaining higher self-awareness and confidence in the water as well as improving your performance, technique and style.

We will structure our lesson process to suit your way of learning. Everyone is different and we pride ourselves in providing an encouraging and supportive experience, seeking to bring out the best in everyone with a positive and down to earth attitude.

Here's what to expect from an intermediate/advanced lesson:

Here’s a few example goals that many people come to us with:
• Moving to shorter boards
• Improving your pop up to a smooth swift pop.
• Catching unbroken waves
• Trimming left and right
• Progressing to larger surf
• Confidence building
• Wave selection
• Consistency and Fitness
• Completing a manoeuvre
• Improving flow and style

Our passionate coaches have the best local knowledge and can guide you through all your surf queries, whether its simple technique or theory such as; how to read forecast sites, where to find the best conditions or how to achieve the perfect pop up. They have it covered!

Surfing can be the most frustrating lifestyle out there so let us help you make the most of your time in the water.

Two to One – Available in Beginner or Advanced formats

What better way is there to progress through your surfing journey than with a buddy by your side! Bounce off each others energy, catch lots of waves and witness each others new acclaimed surf skills! Lets face it everyone likes to show off now and again!

With our private lessons you can push your boundaries without being held back by a large group. Not only will you have our surf instructor’s undivided attention, but they will also carefully plan and adapt the surf lessons to your learning style and personal objectives. You’ll be progressing faster than you ever thought possible.

Our lesson begins with some dry-side theory and discussion about your goals followed by 2 hours of expert coaching in the water and debrief.

Our lessons are suitable for all abilities from complete beginners to advanced. You will be provided with a 5mm full length wetsuit and can take first pick from our excellent range of surfboards.

Book your session now

One to One Lesson – beginner

Details

Duration: 2 hours

Ages: 8+

Prices includes all kit

Our one-to-one lessons are the most progressive and personal route available. Not only will you have our surf instructor’s undivided attention, but they will also carefully plan and adapt the surf lessons to your learning style and personal objectives. 

£80pp

One to One Lesson – Advanced

Details

Duration: 2 hours

Ages: 8+

Prices includes all kit

Have been surfing a while and you feel like your progress has slowed or come to a stop? Our intermediate/advanced sessions will give you a push in the right direction. All our sessions are tailor made and focus on your goals.

£80pp

Two to One Lesson – beginner

Details

Duration: 2 hours

Ages: 8+

Prices includes all kit

What better way is there to progress through your surfing journey than with a buddy by your side! Bounce off each others energy, catch lots of waves and witness each others new acclaimed surf skills! Lets face it everyone likes to show off now and again!

£70pp

Two to One Lesson – Advanced

Details

Duration: 2 hours

Ages: 8+

Prices includes all kit

Ready for the next level? Our ISA Level 2 coach can tailor your lesson to you to help excel you to the next level whether its paddling out the back for the first time or perfecting more advanced manueveurs.

£70pp

Three-to-one lesson – Beginner

Details

Duration: 2 hours

Ages: 8+

Prices includes all kit

Our accredited surf school is located at the stunning Cayton bay, with our beautiful unspoilt beach and enviable reputation there’s no better place to hit the surf! Whether your a complete beginner or want to refresh your surf skills our group lessons are a fun and affordable pathway to get you up and riding waves.

£60pp

Groups of 4+

Details

Duration: 2 hours

Ages: 8+

Prices includes all kit

Our accredited surf school is located at the stunning Cayton bay, with our beautiful unspoilt beach and enviable reputation there’s no better place to hit the surf! Whether your a complete beginner or want to refresh your surf skills our group lessons are a fun and affordable pathway to get you up and riding waves.

4-6 People – £50pp
6+ People – £40pp

Contact us today

Get in touch with us to discuss activities and book your session today

Tori

Manager & Head Surf Coach

Known as Secretspot’s “Mother Hen,” Tori truly lives and breathes surfing. With over 20 years of surf experience, 16 years coaching, and 12 years as part of the Secretspot family, she plays a central role in everything we do. Tori manages all activities across the surf school and leads our coaching programme as Head Surf Coach, with a particular passion for junior development and performance surfing.

She created and leads our SuperGroms junior progression programme, helping young surfers build strong foundations and progress with confidence. Tori also delivers our advanced lessons, using video analysis, performance drills, and tailored coaching to support surfers looking to take their skills to the next level. Alongside this, she works as a Surfing England Coach Trainer Assessor, delivering coach courses here at Cayton Bay, and volunteers as a Team England Junior Squad Coach, supporting the next generation of competitive surfers.

You’ll probably recognise Tori from our socials, where she provides daily video surf reports, keeping the local community up to date with conditions and surf forecasts. Away from the water, she’s deeply involved in the local surf scene as the founder and chair of Scarborough Boardriders Club CIC and is often behind the scenes organising local surf contests, events, and socials.

During the busy summer months, Tori can be found at Cayton Bay day in, day out, making sure the surf school runs smoothly. When winter rolls around, she heads off to enjoy some free surfing at favourite destinations such as El Salvador, Bali and Ireland, before returning refreshed and ready for another season.

Paul "Tomo"

Owner

The backbone of our business, Tomo has grown up surfing Scarborough and has dedicated his life to the surf industry in the North East. With deep local knowledge and decades of experience in the water, he represents everything our surf school stands for: authenticity, expertise, and a genuine passion for the coastline we call home.

In 2008, Tomo took over the surf school from Ross and brought it together with Secretspot Surf Shop, established in 1989. As one of the oldest surf shops in the UK—and the largest in the North East—Secretspot has long been at the heart of the local surf community. Combining the two businesses was a natural progression, allowing Tomo to carry forward a shared ethos built on local knowledge, surf culture, and a lifelong love of Cayton Bay.

The philosophy has always been simple: run by surfers, for surfers. That means providing the best possible equipment, honest advice, and coaching rooted in real experience—whether you’re standing on a board for the first time or looking to progress your skills.

Known affectionately as our “Chief of Coasteering,” Tomo grew up exploring every nook and cranny of the East Coast. That lifelong familiarity with the coastline led him to become a trained coasteering instructor and to introduce coasteering to the Yorkshire Coast. Over the years, he has personally developed and led thousands of coasteering sessions, continually refining them to create the safe, professional, and unforgettable experiences we offer today.

Tomo’s depth of experience, commitment to safety, and passion for sharing the coastline are the foundation of everything we do.