Junior surfing contest features stars of the future to Swansea surf school owner

Am just about to go up to Sunset beach on the north shore to watch the final rounds of the surf contest, yesterday I watched this 11 year old Benji Brand rip sunset point apart and post a second place in his heat which is awesome...11 years old out at sunset beach one of the heaviest waves in the world!

I spoke to Benji after his heat and he told me that he had been surfing for six years.... Just think how good he is going to be when he is say, 16 !!!!!

I am looking forward to the day when ex surf academy surfer girls Beth mason and Gwen spurlock start mixing it up in the water out here, do no forget our junior surfing academy and after school surf squads re-start Easter Holidays

Click here to book junior surf lessons or here for more info click on swanseasurfschools junior surfing academy

Junior surfing development

Have been amazed at the level of surfing among the younger surfers here in hawaii, I guess that if you are surrounded by the best surfers, latest and greatest equipment and then throw in the warm water and powerful surf then you have a cocktail for surf success.

swansea surf school junior surfing academy starts again Easter Holidays

Junior surfing lessons this Easter onwards all are welcome.

Here is Izzy, my surfer girl who at the time this surfing video was taken had just turned 5. Click on the surf picture to watch her enjoying last summers surfing academy with the rest of the young surfers with SurfGSD down at caswell beach on Gower. She was lucky enough to have spent time listening, watching and taking in the surfing thing by osmosis via Tracy Boxall, Gwen spurlock, Bethan Mason and Rebecca 'cheeky' templeton. Junior surfing classes with us restart in April, these are based around ocean safety, ocean awareness, ocean environment and of course surfing development. Our surf courses aim to give more information which will progress surf skills for the future. We are now taking bookings. Let us hope that this year will lead to another crop of excellent young water people enjoying the ocean. To book your budding junior on one of our surf development courses click here. Please note that surfers must be able to swim 50 meters and if under the age of 8 have a guardian/parent at the beach with them, for more info simply email surfgsd or call us on 01792-360-370

Junior surfing at Caswell beach on Gower

Junior surfing development with GSD the only 4 star BSA surf school in Swansea

The junior surfing holiday camp is open down at Caswell beach Monday - Friday times are 09.30 - 15.30 all surfing equipment is provided a days surfing costs £30 and a week surfing £130 book your surfing lessons now click here

Also we run an after skool surf club which starts at 16.30 until 18.00 this costs £30 and is for Swansea residents. The sessions run mon - friday and you come along the same night every week. We start the club after the Easter holiday surf camp and run the academy up until end of October and then at weekends in November and December.

GSD -School & College programmes, Outdoor Activities and Residential courses

GSD is ….committed to…safety, breaking down barriers and the 'D' in GSD stands for 'Development' for all those that attend our course

(as recommended by Clifton & Marlborough colleges, City & County of Swansea, Kent & Birmingham County Council and many more….)

Examples of programmes available for Schools*:

• School residential course for Year 5 through to Year 11 (includes surfing and Ocean water skills training with SurfGSD on Gower peninsular or Fistral beach, Newquay
  

• Leadership & Group Dynamics - working together effectively, providing skills for life

• Key Stage 3 & 4 Outdoor Activities

• GCSE Courses linked to National Curriculum, such as Physical Education
  Coastal environment based work plans

(*all courses can be undertaken through the medium of Welsh)

Examples of Further education/ College Courses suitable for our residential courses:
* 'A' Level course work
* Outdoor Recreation
* Leisure & Tourism
* Public Services

Further Education
* HND Water Sports & Adventure Management
* BA Leisure Management modules
* Key skills such as problem solving, confidence building and working in a team

Courses

One to six day courses cover all aspects of outdoor leisure and activity management, personal development & key skills, tourist site visits & talks by professional providers. We can target specific modules within your course syllabus. Evidence can be collected throughout the course in several ways via photo, video, written, self assessment, discussion groups & staff observation.


A Typical Itinerary for a School Residential course
Day one - command tasks, surf survival/incident training then surfing
Day two - surf day- lessons and supervised practice
Day three - horse riding/gorge walk
Day four - surf day- lessons and supervised practice
Day five - further command tasks, team challenges & games, supervised free surf

Evening activities can also be arranged to entertain the participants. This is an example of one itinerary but we can tailor a programme to suit your requirements. You may wish to visit on a weekend or for a shorter duration.

Evidence for Course Work

We can design activities and worksheets to ensure students record learning outcomes and produce a portfolio of evidence gathered during the week. Lecturer course notes can be provided to help fully prepare college staff before the residential.

Youth Groups
SurfGSD also have a wealth of experience in catering for youth groups whether it be the Scouts, Guides, Duke of Edinburgh Award Schemes or Charitable Organisations.

Why SurfGSD?
* Personal growth through adventure
* Your safety and enjoyment is our priority – BSA Level 4, Approved by Restormel Borough Council and City and County of Swansea
* Accessible - No excessive journeys being just 20 minutes off the M4
* Natural locations – Gower the first designated area of outstanding natural beauty in the UK
* All inclusive packages available

Return visitors

GSD provides residential and day courses each year for Clifton College, Bristol; Marlborough College, Wiltshire; Local Authorities including City and County of Swansea, Newport, Blaenea Gwent; Kent County Council, Birmingham City Council and Duke of Edinburgh Award Schemes.

Children's University, Youth University modules available via our swansea surf school-SurfGSD

Children's University, Youth University core modules and credits now achieved by learning the skill of surfing, surfing development, learn to surf, beach environment and ocean safety through SurfGSD

We are now registered and able to send your details to the relevant accreditation agency so that all the credits gained whilst surfing with us can be used towards gaining certification. Below is more info on the scheme courtesy of the City and County of Swansea.

The Children's University Swansea, which started as a pilot scheme over a year ago, has seen a massive increase in the number of courses and modules it offers. Over 1,000 students are now getting credits for a huge range of activities including, culture, sport and conservation. Almost any out of school hours activity can be accredited. Please see the article courtesy of C and C of Swansea regarding the Children's University.

The purpose of the Children's University is to encourage involvement in a wide range of activities outside of the school day. Children gain credits for attending a wide range of clubs and classes including, dance, singing, computer clubs, arts and sport. Each credit goes towards achieving a bronze, silver or gold award in a graduation ceremony later in the year.

There are three age groups within Children's University Swansea: 5-9 Kid's College, 9-13 Children's University & 14-19 Youth University.

The Children's University in Swansea is co-ordinated by a partnership including, City & County of Swansea, Swansea Community Farm, Egypt Centre, Cornerstone church, schools, University of Wales Swansea, Swansea Institute of Higher Education, Gorseinon and Swansea Colleges, Swansea Council for Voluntary Service, as well as community groups, charities and clubs in Swansea.

Joan Peters, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Community Regeneration said, "While the National Curriculum rewards academic prowess, there are different kinds of intelligence and the Children's University scheme is about recognising this.

"Every hour of participation equals one credit. Once they have accumulated a certain number of points, children are awarded bronze, silver or gold certificates."

Mike Day, Cabinet Member for Education in Swansea Council said, "Learning is not something that only takes place in classrooms.

"It's great to recognise the learning that children do in a wide variety of out of school activities.

"The Children's University aims to encourage youngsters to be involved not only in their own learning but also in their communities."

The above is available via: swansea surf school and newquay surf school

Surfing academy for young people at Caswell Bay-Swansea

HOME JUNIOR ACADEMY

After school surfing academy and the school holiday surf club:

All welcome, for ages six upwards and surfboards and wetsuits provided.

After school surfing academy at Caswell beach, Gower has been running for seven years and has helped create many of the top Welsh and British Junior surfers doing so well today such as Beth mason and Gwen Spurlock. The after school surf club runs monday to friday during school term and starts at 16.30 - 18.00 and 18.00 - 19.30 (during October - December we run on Saturday mornings only) the cost is the same as it has always been £30 for four sessions, with the option to stay on the course for as long as you want. The course aims to create a ' confident water person' which of course will enable them to take their chosen path in surfing by themselves, safely and educated. Many of our original members now help us during school holidays or work as surf coaches and we hope this will continue. To pay for after school swansea surfing sessions please click here

School holiday surf club at Caswell beach. During most school holidays the next being Easter 2008 onwards, surfGSD operates the Junior Surfing Academy meeting at 09.30 at Caswell Beach near Mumbles. Pick up time is 15.30. Monday to Friday only, all those 8 and under must have parental/guardians present at the beach. All under 18's must have parental consent. All surfers must be able to swim 50 meters in a swimming pool. There are two options one day rate is £30 and then there is 5 day (week package) which costs £130. If you have more than one in your family or would like to send a group of friends along with your own child simply contact me and let me know the numbers I will then give you a group booking discount. Please note that all our surfing course costs include the use of surfing equipment. To book your surfing holiday sessions here on Gower please click here 'surf swansea'

Here is a link to one of our blog surf pictures of young people having fun at caswell beach click here swansea surf school

Information for group leaders;

Surfing for young people and junior surfing academy here at Caswell beach, Swansea. We also run surfing sessions for all and offer good rates for Council groups in particular those that are targeted at specific areas within the community first, 5 times 60 etc. Over the last few years we have worked in partnership with Councils throughout Wales and as far a field as Kent County Council whom spent a weeks surfing on Gower with us and then a weeks surfing on the Algarve. We can provide contacts for references if you wish and have all the necessary paper work to make your school/youth group activity trip easy

Please contact us for further information on booking your young people in to our surfing sessions.

Join GSD Surfer, Taylor Asplan seen below in action, showing good style ripping off the top of a wave at Caswell beach, Gower in early March or future female surfing talent Ffion Chambers seen here focused on executing a bottom turn.