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Our Story

Scarborough Surf School was originally established at Cayton Bay in 1985 by Ros and family, formerly known as Cayton Bay Surf Shop. Having operated from the same bay ever since, it is now one of the longest-running surf schools on the Yorkshire coast and in the UK. Decades spent teaching, surfing and working in these waters have shaped everything we do — from how we read the conditions to how we coach people in the water.

In 2008, the surf school was taken over and combined with Secret Spot, bringing together two strands of Scarborough’s surf heritage. This partnership strengthened both the coaching and equipment side of the operation while keeping Cayton Bay firmly at the heart of everything.

Secret Spot was founded in Scarborough in 1989 by Roger Povey, originally hiring boards from a trailer on the North and South Bays before growing into a permanent surf shop. Since moving to Pavilion Terrace in 1992, the shop has remained under the ownership of Tomo, continuing to support the local surf scene with expert advice and quality equipment.

Today, that combined experience underpins Scarborough Surf School. We deliver professional surf lessons, equipment hire and coastal adventure experiences with a strong emphasis on safety, progression and getting the most out of each session. We are the only AALA-licensed activity centre in the area and are fully accredited by Surfing England and the National Coasteering Charter, with sessions led by some of the most experienced and highly qualified surf and adventure coaches in the country.

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Why Cayton Bay?

Located just three miles south of Scarborough, Cayton Bay is widely regarded as the best surf spot in Scarborough. Its sweeping horseshoe-shaped bay, dramatic cliffs, woodland backdrop and nearby point break make it one of the most scenic and versatile surfing beaches in Yorkshire.

Cayton Bay is unique in that it can be surfed through all stages of the tide, unlike many local beaches. This means reliable wave options throughout the day for all abilities.

At the north end of the beach, Pumphouse provides reliable, punchy waves from low to mid tide, offering conditions suitable for beginner through to advanced surfers. As the tide fills in, Bunkers begins to work, producing higher-tide peaks favoured by more experienced surfers. When the sea is calm, Cayton Bay also offers excellent conditions for stand-up paddleboarding, with sheltered water framed by dramatic coastal scenery.

In addition to surfing, we also run coasteering sessions at Thornwick Bay on the Flamborough Headland. This dramatic location features sea cliffs, caves, gullies and deep-water jumps, making it one of the best coasteering venues in the region and a popular alternative when surf conditions are flat.

Between Cayton Bay and Thornwick Bay, Scarborough Surf School offers a complete range of surf and coastal adventure experiences – all delivered by experienced local coaches in some of Yorkshire’s most spectacular coastal locations.

What else makes Cayton Bay so great?

Very consistent surf

If it’s flat here its flat everywhere, and if it is flat then you can explore the bay on a paddle-board!

Clean and safe

Clean water rating of Excellent and the Keep Britain Tidy “Seaside Award”. RNLI lifeguards on duty May to September.

Fossils and wildlife

Quality Coast Award from the MCS, hunt for Fossils, spot Seals, Puffins and lots more wildlife.

Facilities

Toilet facilities down on the beach as well as at the Surf centre.

Great for kids

Great for kids to explore, no busy roads or arcades to get lost in and some of the best fossil hunting areas on the east coast.

Dog friendly

The only 100% dog-friendly beach in the area!

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Click below to explore activities and book your session today.

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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.