Surf Coach Courses in Scarborough

Surfing England Training at Cayton Bay

Looking to become a qualified surf coach in the UK? Join our Surfing England Coach Courses at Cayton Bay, Scarborough, and take the next step towards coaching professionally on the Yorkshire Coast and beyond.

Scarborough Surf School is proud to host official Surfing England Surf Coach Courses, delivered by a certified Surfing England Trainer Assessor. Our courses combine structured learning with practical beach and water-based coaching in one of the most consistent surf locations in Northern England.

For full details on the Surfing England coaching pathway, visit their website

This page connects with our wider training and employment pathway

Learn more about our surf lessons in scarborough

See career pathways on our join the team page

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Plan your stay via our Where to Eat & Stay page

About the Surfing England Coaching Pathway

Surfing England is the National Governing Body (NGB) for Surfing in England. Their coaching pathway is designed to:

• Raise national coaching standards
• Ensure safe and professional surf lesson delivery
• Develop technically competent, confident coaches
• Embed safeguarding and risk management best practice
• Support long-term coach development

2026 Surf Coach Course Dates

Cayton Bay, Scarborough

Surf Coach: Recreation Award

10th & 11th April 2026

Location: Cayton Bay, Scarborough

The Surf Coach: Recreation Award is the entry-level qualification within the Surfing England coach pathway. This course prepares competent surfers to coach beginner and early intermediate surfers safely in controlled surf environments.

You will learn:
• Lesson planning and session structure
• Coaching beginner surfers effectively
• Surf hazard awareness and beach safety
• Managing groups in surf environments
• Communication and feedback skills
• Practical risk assessment
• Safeguarding responsibilities within surf coaching

Ideal for aspiring surf instructors, lifeguards expanding qualifications and surfers seeking employment within Surfing England accredited surf schools.

Surf Coach: Progression Award

6th & 7th June 2026

Location: Cayton Bay, Scarborough

The Surf Coach: Progression Award builds upon the Recreation qualification and develops your ability to coach in more dynamic and varied surf conditions.

This course focuses on:
• Coaching intermediate surfers
• Advanced technical feedback and performance analysis
• Session adaptation in changing conditions
• Leadership and decision-making in surf environments
• Risk management in exposed settings
• Professional coaching standards refinement

Entry Requirements & Career Progression

Surfing England Surf Coach Course: Entry Requirements

To attend a Surfing England Surf Coach Course in Scarborough, you should:

  • Be a competent surfer
  • Be confident in open water and surf conditions
  • Be physically capable of assisting participants
  • Meet Surfing England minimum age requirements (typically 16+)

To become fully qualified and insured you will also require:

  • A recognised water safety qualification (e.g. SLSGB Surf Lifesaver Award)
  • Valid safeguarding certification
  • Enhanced DBS clearance

Achieving a Surfing England Surf Coach qualification opens opportunities across the UK:

  • Surf schools nationwide
  • Surf clubs and academies
  • Schools and youth programmes
  • Outdoor activity centres
  • Residential and activity camps

Achieving a Surfing England Surf Coach qualification opens opportunities internationally:

  • Seasonal surf camps abroad
  • Coaching roles in Europe and global surf destinations
  • Resort and surf retreat employment
  • Travel-based coaching work


Many coaches combine seasonal work at Scarborough Surf School with international surf coaching roles.

Further Information

Cayton Bay

Cayton Bay offers:
• Consistent surf suitable for coach training
• Varied wave types for practical coaching scenarios
• Real-world group management environments
• Tidal awareness and dynamic surf conditions
• A professional Surfing England accredited surf school setting

Delivery by a Surfing England Trainer Assessor

All courses are delivered by a certified Surfing England Trainer Assessor, ensuring:
• Accurate delivery of the official syllabus
• National assessment standards
• Up-to-date safeguarding compliance
• Structured and professional training

How to book

To register interest in either course, email: info@scarboroughsurfschool.co.uk

Include:
• Full name
• Surf experience
• Current qualifications
• Course choice (April or June)

Full course fees, preparation guidance and assessment details will be provided upon enquiry.

Become a Surf Coach in Scarborough. Train at Cayton Bay. Build your career on the Yorkshire Coast.

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.