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Meet the Team of coaches here at The O'Neill Surf Academy, Watergate Bay

We take huge pride in the quality of instruction at our Academy. When it comes to coaches only the best will do.  All our instructors have extensive surfing, coaching and travel experience and are respected local surfers.  This variety of qualifications and experience makes for an interesting and dedicated team who have the very highest standards in our industry.

All O'Neill Surf Academy coaches hold a Surfing GB/Academy of Surfing Instructors cert, NARS Beach Lifeguard/NARS Surf Coach Lifesaver awards and have cleared all relevant working with children checks. 

Ashleigh Bennetts

Ashleigh Bennetts O'Neill Surf Academy
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Academy Owner, Head Coach

Ashleigh owns and runs the O'Neill Surf Academy and West Coast Surfari.  She's taught surfing since leaving school and has been teaching all levels of surfer for 9 years!  Qualified to the highest industry standards in surf coaching and lifesaving, she's travelled the world teaching everyone from beginners to elite surfers.

Her talents also extend to her own surfing. You'll see her competing on both the UK and worldwide longboarding stage.  This year Ashleigh ranked 6th in the ASP European Tour for women's longboarding, and has claimed a few great results in our national events.

You can keep up to date with Ashleigh on her Facebook Page and Blog - Don't forget to click the 'Like' button! 

 

Luke Hopper

luke hopper surf
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Academy Level 1 Coach

Luke joined our team of coaches in 2011. An experienced local surfer and amazing coach Luke brings a lot to our team. Luke is also a qualified teacher and top rugby coach - all these amazing skills and experience really show through in his coaching. He's travelled the world and surfed some of the best waves on the planet. He's also pretty talented on the flowrider! 

 

Victoria Johnson

Victoria Johnson
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Vicki is the newest member of our team joining us for 2012. We've very excited to have Vicki onboard - her enthusiam when it comes to coaching and surfing is highly contagious. She's an amazing longboarder (ranked 3rd in Europe 2011) and has visited some of the worlds very best surf spots! 
 

'Curly Steve' Patterson

Curly Steve Patterson

Academy Level 2 Coach

We're proud to have curly Steve back with us for 2012. Curly Steve will be making a regular appearance with us down at the bay during the summer months! Surf coaching is just one of Steve's many talents. An excellent longboarder, Steve is right at home at Watergate Bay!

 

 

Dom Clarke

Dom Clarke Surf
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Occasionally you'll see Dom coaching with us at here The Academy. He enjoys coaching alongside running his own business - Explore The Shore. Dom is an exceptional surfer who just loves the ocean. He's traveled the world and surfed some amazing places. Dom rides a shortboard with flare and style. He's an amazing coach and has an absolute passion for the ocean!
 

Loric Stroud

Loric is the youngest member of our team. He's been an assistant coach at the academy for a couple of years now, and is looking forward to completing his surf coach and lifeguard awards this year now that he's turning 16. Loric will be back with us during his school holidays this year, and hopefully taking his own sessions real soon! A great longboarder and shortboarder, Loric is extremely talented at surfing and can ride any type of surfboard with style!