Rob Barber’s Bodyboarding School benefited from the best waves of the year in Newquay last weekend. The renowned Fistral Beach served up 3-4ft clean waves, enabling the pupils perfect conditions to develop their bodyboarding skills. Tolcarne Beach, famed for its wedge wave, also provided perfect 2-3ft waves with a quick take off and fun ramps to boost off.

In total 11 bodyboard riders from all over the UK attended the coaching weekend, which ranged from fresh beginners looking to learn the basics, right through to sponsored competitors honing aerial tricks and manoeuvres. The coaching offers a safe introduction to the sport for novice riders, with instruction from British Surfing Association (BSA) certified coaches that also hold lifeguarding qualifications.

The coaching encourages confidence, sea safety, paddling out, wave selection and riding skills. Head coach Rob Barber said: “We aim to offer well-rounded tuition that will help our pupils learn in a couple of days what would have usually taken a couple of years.” Adam Luck, from Guildford, and Fiona Daniel, from Bristol, had never attempted bodyboarding before, but after an initial coaching introduction both learned quickly and saw a large improvement in their riding over the weekend.

Fiona was awarded with a ThreeSixty Bodyboard Magazine T-shirt for putting in the biggest effort of the weekend, demonstrating that the sport is just as fun and exciting for women as it is for men. The group was also joined by Steve Hall, Under-18 British Champion, and Tabby Fox, one of the top ranked girls in the country.

Tabby was awarded a new NMD bodyboard for best improvement over the weekend, which saw her land her first El Rollo - a move she has been trying to master throughout her career so far.Video analysis was taken throughout the sessions by professional surf photographer Matt Hawken, which later enables the riders to see their performance in the water. Head coach Rob Barber reviews the video footage with the class and offers advice and further teachings on each individual’s progress.

Rob Barber said: “Using slow-motion and freeze framing it is way easier to break down paddling techniques, wave selection and specific move coaching. It is the most invaluable coaching tool, and delivers great results every time.” Aidan Salmon, assistant coach, said: “The excellent surf conditions at both beaches allowed the bodyboarders to gain experience in different types of waves and the way they break. It has been great to coach such fun, enthusiastic people, and seeing their overall improvement.”

Every rider received a stuffed goodie bag from event sponsors ThreeSixty Bodyboard Magazine and NMD Bodyboards, a coach’s report of their performance, and DVD footage to take home. At the end of the weekend many of the riders swapped email addresses and were looking forward to bodyboarding again on future trips.

Ben Harris, 21, from Falmouth, said: “I made lots of friends, it was a superb weekend ... I can’t wait to book my Morocco trip with the guys from Rob Barber’s Bodyboard School."There is usually a good mix of ages and abilities as well as individuals, couples, and friends on the course. The nature of the sport helps the group gel, and strong fun camaraderie between everyone soon appears.

The social side of the weekend is always a highlight, and includes a barbecue at sunset on the Saturday evening when tales of waves caught often grow longer as the beers flow...Rob Barber's Bodyboarding School also offers coaching holidays to Morocco, Gran Canaria, Bali, Central America and Ireland.

Wales Coaching Weekend
For the first time ever, Rob Barber’s Bodyboard School will be holding the next coaching weekend on the beautiful Gower Peninsula, home to Llangennith Beach, on September 11th/12th.

Newquay Coaching Weekends
(£119) will take place on the 18th/19th September and 16th/17th October. For all enquiries please contact the school on 01637 879571 or log onto robbarber.com to book your place now.

Rob Barber, 34, from Newquay, and Aidan Salmon, 29, from Geraldton, Western Australia, have both been national bodyboard champions, coached the national team, and hold Level 4 coaching certificates (the highest award attainable). The school, based on Headland Road, Newquay, is the only BSA Centre of Excellence in Newquay. Having coached all the way up to British team level and having taught literally thousands of novices to surf and bodyboard, both Rob and Aidan are capable of coaching every standard of rider.