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Become a Surf Coach in 2026 (and Get Paid to Do What You Love)

If you’ve ever finished a surf at Cayton and thought, “I’d love to do this every day,” this is your sign.

For 2026 we’re continuing to run official Surfing England Surf Coach Courses at Cayton Bay, Scarborough — and we’re actively recruiting new coaches for the 2026 season. So if you’re looking for a genuine pathway from qualification to paid coaching work on the Yorkshire Coast, you’re in the right place.

This isn’t just a course. It’s a career opportunity.

Why Become a Surf Coach?

Surf coaching is one of the most rewarding jobs you can do. You’re not just standing on a beach — you’re building confidence, teaching ocean awareness, and helping people catch waves they’ll remember forever.

You’ll develop real leadership skills, learn how to manage groups safely in dynamic coastal environments, and become part of a tight-knit surf community here in Scarborough.

Whether you’re planning a long-term career in the industry or looking for seasonal work that fits around travel, surf coaching opens serious doors.

For more information on Surfing England coach courses visit: Become a surf instructor – Surfing England

2026 Surf Coach Course Dates – Cayton Bay, Scarborough

All courses are delivered by a certified Surfing England Trainer Assessor and follow the official national syllabus.

Surf Coach: Recreation Award

10th–11th April 2026
Location: Cayton Bay, Scarborough

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

You’ll cover:

  • Lesson planning and session structure
  • Coaching beginner surfers effectively
  • Surf hazard awareness and beach safety
  • Managing groups in surf conditions
  • Clear communication and feedback
  • Practical risk assessment
  • Safeguarding responsibilities in surf coaching

This course is ideal for aspiring instructors, lifeguards expanding their qualifications, gap-year students, and surfers wanting to step into professional coaching.

Surf Coach: Progression Award

6th–7th June 2026
Location: Cayton Bay, Scarborough

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

You’ll focus on:

  • Coaching intermediate surfers
  • Advanced technical feedback and performance analysis
  • Adapting sessions to changing conditions
  • Leadership and decision-making
  • Risk management in more exposed environments
  • Refining professional coaching standards

Entry Requirements

To attend a Surfing England Surf Coach Course 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’ll also require:

  • A recognised water safety qualification (such as the SLSGB Surf Lifesaver Award)
  • Valid safeguarding certification
  • Enhanced DBS clearance

Why Train at Cayton Bay?

Cayton Bay is one of the most consistent surf locations on the Yorkshire Coast, making it ideal for coach training.

You’ll experience:

  • Reliable surf suitable for structured training scenarios
  • Varied peaks and tidal movement
  • Real-world group management practice
  • Dynamic decision-making in changing conditions
  • A fully operational, professional surf school environment

You’re not learning in theory. You’re learning in the exact kind of environment you’ll coach in once qualified.

Career Opportunities – UK & International

A Surfing England qualification can lead to opportunities across:

The UK

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

Internationally

  • Seasonal surf camps abroad
  • European and global surf destinations
  • Resort and retreat coaching roles
  • Travel-based seasonal work

Many coaches combine a Yorkshire Coast season with winter work overseas.

We’re Hiring for 2026

We are currently recruiting full-time and part-time seasonal surf coaches for 2026.

If you qualify with us — or are already Surfing England or ISA qualified — you’ll be in a strong position to join our team.

We’re looking for coaches who are:

  • Professional and reliable
  • Passionate about surfing and the outdoors
  • Confident in the ocean
  • Strong communicators
  • Committed to high safety and coaching standards

Scarborough Surf School operates year-round from Cayton Bay and delivers surf lessons, school programmes, corporate groups and community sessions. We pride ourselves on high standards, strong mentorship and creating genuine career progression opportunities.

Train with us. Work with us. Build your coaching career on the Yorkshire Coast.

Ready to Apply or Book a Course?

To register interest in either course or enquire about coaching positions for 2026, email:

info@scarboroughsurfschool.co.uk

Include:

  • Your full name
  • Your surf experience
  • Current qualifications
  • Which course you’re interested in (April or June)

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

Become a Surf Coach in Scarborough.
Train at Cayton Bay.
Join the Team for 2026. 🌊

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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.