Have we ever had such a corking bodyboard coaching weekend than the one just gone? With some fantastic swell, a variety of breaks, waves and even some sunshine there was something for everyone! We had a perfect group of ranging abilities from seasoned shredders to the newly acquainted and no one could have foreseen the amount of fun and pure “epicness” that was due to unfold.
Final Bodyboard Coaching Weekend of the Summer Takes Off
As ritual dictates our coaching weekend got off to the usual start of welcomes, board waxing and assessing the conditions at our beautiful local breaks. Although the latter didn’t take too long as our first port of call was quite clearly a pumping South Fistral, pretty empty and unspoilt! That first morning session at the sun bathed and wave laden Fistral Beach set the tone for the rest of the weekend where peaky wedges, peeling sets and silky barrels were to become a thing of the norm!
Instead of taking our word for how good it really was why don’t you read what three of our crew thought about the weekend below.
‘We were blessed with ace conditions and everyone got stuck in”
Name: Jakki Magowan – Re-lighting the stoke
Age: 41
Occupation: Freelance Writer
Years bodyboarding: Two years bodyboarding properly but been messing around on cheap boards for much longer than that.
Aims for the coaching weekend: My main aim for the coaching weekend was to familiarise myself with the ocean once again after having a bodyboarding break to have my son. It was also a test to see if I remembered any of the great coaching I received in Morocco with Bodyboard-Holidays back in 2013.
What did you think of the coaching weekend? During the coaching weekend this August, it felt good to be back in the water and regain some confidence. For each session we were taken to three different types of breaks, which was great as it enabled us to use different types of skills and try out varied manoeuvres. From peaky wedges to shorey barrels, we were blessed with ace conditions and everyone got stuck in. I picked up loads of performance enhancing tips and the in-water coaching definitely helped me spot and catch more waves.
What was the most valuable thing that you learned? Picking up different ways to get out back, realising you don’t have to duck dive everything! And discovering that a proper duck dive is actually a pleasant experience.
What was the highlight of the weekend for you? The highlight of the weekend has to be getting my first barrel, seeing the side of the wave start to curl over you is like nothing else, it’s truly a unique way to see the world.
How has the coaching weekend changed your approach to bodyboarding? Whilst continually improving the fundamental basics of bodyboading I’m now also keen to start attempting more manoeuvres in particular spins and barrels.
What would you say to those that haven’t been on a coaching weekend before? For anyone who’s never been on a bodyboarding coaching lesson, weekend or holiday I’d say book one today. You don’t know what your missing!
What is next for you in bodyboarding? I’m off to Portugal on the 9th of September with Bodyboard-Holidaysso I’ll get plenty of opportunity to have a good go, the coaching weekend has been a great refresher before I head off. I absolutely cannot wait!
Name: Keith Still – The Newbie
Age: 27
Occupation: Crane Operator
Years bodyboarding: Trying body boarding for the first time.
What did you think of the coaching weekend? I though the coaching weekend was brilliant. I was new to the sport and they helped me every step of the way.
What was the highlight of the weekend for you? I picked it up fairly quick and even got barrelled on the Sunday, which was epic.
What would you say to those that haven’t been on a coaching weekend before? I would recommend the weekend to anyone no matter how much experience you have.
To sum up the weekend it was full of friendly people, brilliant waves, and a lot of fun. I even left with a board and a goody bag.
What is next for you in bodyboarding? I’m definitely doing a lot more bodyboarding I’m hooked. Many thanks to the whole team for the weekend.
Name: Bruno Sacadura Lopes – The shredder
Age: 37
Occupation: Field service Engineer at MAQUET UK & Ireland
Years bodyboarding: 25
Aims for the coaching weekend: To meet Rob Barber and his team and also the other participants
What did you think of the coaching weekend? I had a great time in Newquay and want to repeat it when I go on the Wales coaching trip in September.
What was the most valuable thing that you learned? Always try to have fun and enjoy the waves.
What was the highlight of the weekend for you? First time catching some wedge waves. It was a bit difficult in the beginning to find the right spot to catch it but I soon got the hang of it.
How has the coaching weekend changed your approach to bodyboarding? It was not my first bodyboard coaching session, but I want to keep learning more and more.
What would you say to those that haven’t been on a coaching weekend before? Coaching is the best way to improve your technique and have contact with different rider levels in the water.
What is next for you in bodyboarding? Start doing reverse spins in different sections of the wave. I would like to go to Australia and meet some of the best riders in the world like: Ryan Hardy, Ben Player, Dave Winchester, Mitch Rawlins or Jake Stone.
Bruno Sacadura Lopes an experienced rider from Portugal had his fair share of epic waves where he demonstrated classy style. It was no surprise to hear he has entered competitions, keep it up Bruno!
We now look ahead to our Indian summer of swell and autumn coaching weekends here in Newquay and website for more information on our coaching weekends and international bodyboard holidays.
Check out some more images and awesome waves from the weekend below.
