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FAQs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Surf Lessons, Coasteering & SUP in Scarborough

Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions page for Surf Lessons in Scarborough, Coasteering on the Yorkshire Coast and Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) at Cayton Bay.

These FAQs cover everything you need to know before booking surf lessons, surf hire, coasteering, group activities and wetsuit information at Scarborough Surf School.

No experience is required. We welcome complete beginners through to advanced participants. All activities are adapted to suit ability, confidence and sea conditions at Cayton Bay on the day of your session.

We offer:
• Surf lessons in Cayton Bay and Scarborough
• Surf hire at Cayton Bay
• Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
• Super SUP team sessions
• Coasteering on the Yorkshire Coast
• Eco Coasteer experiences
• Yorkshire Coast Challenge
• Multi-activity and multi-day programmes

Yes. Scarborough Surf School is a Surfing England accredited surf school and an AALA licensed activity provider, meaning we operate to the highest safety standards.

All instructors are:
• ISA qualified surf and SUP coaches
• Surfing England qualified coaches
• SLSGB qualified beach lifeguards
• DBS checked
• Hold NSPCC or Surfing England Safeguarding Certificates

Yes. All specialist equipment is included unless otherwise stated, including surfboards, SUP boards, wetsuits, helmets and buoyancy aids where required. Boots and gloves are provided during colder months.

We primarily use 5mm full-length wetsuits, ideal for UK coastal conditions throughout autumn, winter and spring. 

During summer and early autumn (around September), 3mm or 4mm full-length wetsuits are often sufficient. Wetsuit thickness is matched to water temperature and sea conditions at Cayton Bay.

You do not need to know your size in advance. Our team will size you correctly on arrival.

We stock:
• Junior wetsuits (ages 6–16)
• Men’s sizes Small to 3XL (including tall options)
• Women’s sizes UK 8–18

A wetsuit should feel snug but not restrictive. It may feel tight when dry but will loosen slightly once wet.

Please bring:
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Warm clothes for after your session
• Any medication you may need
• Sunscreen
• Drink and snack

We run sessions in the rain. Once in a wetsuit, you will not notice light rain. Sessions are only postponed if conditions are unsafe due to extreme weather or sea state.

Yes. Cayton Bay is seasonally lifeguarded on weekends and during school holidays from May to September.

When lifeguards are on duty:
• Swim and bodyboard between red and yellow flags
• Surf between black and white flags

Yes. We specialise in large group surf lessons and coastal activities in Scarborough for schools, universities, Scouts and corporate groups.

We regularly manage around 30 participants per session and can accommodate much larger numbers using back-to-back sessions.

Both options are available. Individuals and smaller groups can book online or large groups are advised to book over the phone or request an invoice to avoid the online booking fee.

Yes. Many people book a morning surf lesson and keep equipment for the rest of the day for surf hire. This can be easily added during online booking by clicking the surf and session checkbox, or you can decide on the day and pay in store. It’s just £15 to keep your kit for the rest of the day.

Yes. We have a wide range of bodyboards and skimboards available to hire.

Yes. We stock leading surf brands. Visit www.secretspot.co.uk for click & collect or request delivery to Cayton Bay for your arrival. We also have plenty of kit for sale at our Cayton Bay store. Our friendly team are always on hand to offer expert advice and assist you with wetsuit fitting.

Yes. Participants are expected to carry their own equipment. Coaches assist younger children, and we encourage a buddy system for teamwork.

Coasteering is suitable for ages 8+. A parent or guardian must accompany children under 12.

Private surf lessons are available for ages 6+. Children aged 7+ can join Kids Club. Parents must remain nearby for children under 10.

Absolutely not. We just request participants have a reasonable fitness level and are able to swim 25 metres unaided.

Yes. A £20 per person deposit secures most bookings. The remaining balance must be paid at least 48 hours before arrival. Kids Club programmes may be paid in instalments.

  • 72 hours or more – full refund
  • 48 hours – 50% refund
  • Less than 48 hours – no refund


If we cancel due to unsafe sea conditions, a reschedule or full refund will be offered.

 

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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.