Surf Steps - Bournemouth Surf School for surf lessons London, Bournemouth and the South

Andy Joyce

Profile

• Born: New Zealand
• Lives: Bos Vegas (Boscombe)
• Years Surfing: 30
• Likes: Going on Holiday
• Dislikes: The All Blacks failing to win the World Cup, again.

About Andy

Andy, the director and founder of Bournemouth Surf School Ltd, now Surf Steps, originally ran a surf school for Just Add Water, but when they became Freespirit, he was made redundant and Bournemouth Surf School was established. The surf school owes its success to his ever present passion and enthusiasm for the sport of surfing.

Andy, also known as ‘Kiwi Andy’, spent most of his early life in Christchurch, New Zealand. After leaving the Royal New Zealand Air Force, he was able to travel the world as a qualified aircraft engineer; only applying for positions near decent surf breaks of course! Andy has been surfing for almost 30 years now, (you wouldn’t know it to look at him!) and has surfed all around the world, from Israel to Ireland, Bali to Bournemouth!

Andy’s love of surfing encouraged him to take his level one BSA instructors qualification in 2003 and since then every applicable qualification available. He is now a level 3 coach, a trainer / assessor for level one surf coaches and an internationally qualified judge. At present he is studying for a degree in Coach and Athlete Development at Bournemouth University.

Andy says “It’s exciting being at the sharp end of sports development in surfing. It great to be able to pioneer the development of opportunities that were historically unavailable, right from grass roots to elite competitive level.”

Andys Photo's

Mick Thomas

Profile

• Born: Australia
• Lives: Bournemouth
• Years Surfing: 25
• Likes: Tattoos
• Dislikes: The Cold

About Mick

Known as “Aussie Mick” to everyone around the Bournemouth area, Mick has joined us this year after spending the last 8 years selling Billabong, Headworx and Santa Cruz clothing, wetsuits and Surfboards.

His role with Surf Steps Surf School is Sales / Marketing and he is also training up to become a senior coach of the School.

Mick hales from Sydney Australia but lived in Victoria for seven years, living right next to Bells Beach before he left Australia to go surfing around the world. Mick has been surfing for 25 years now so you could say he has excellent knowledge of everything surfing, he was also the chairman for the local board riders club in Bournemouth for a year and a half. Mick also has coaching experience for juniors in Rugby League so get ready for some proper warm ups!

Mick has this to say this about joining Surf Steps, "I’m stoked to be joining the most advanced school on the south coast and I am really looking forward to teaching the dream to the next generation of surfers!"

Micks Photo's

Emma Hedges

Profile

• Born: Poole
• Lives: Bos Vegas (Boscombe)
• Years Surfing: 5
• Likes: Sunshine
• Dislikes: Mushrooms

About Emma

Emma looks after Surf Steps administration; if you call, likely it will be her you will speak too. If there is anything you need to know regarding the school – she is the girl to ask! Previously she worked for a Photographic studio in Christchurch as a studio co-ordinator, but when the surf school became too busy for one man, she stepped up; three years later she is proud to see the business so successful.

Born in Poole, she does not hale from as far as some of the other key members of staff at Surf Steps but loves to travel and in just 4 years has built up a respectable portfolio of breaks surfed all around the world. She learnt to surf just 4 years ago, taught by our director, in the perfect conditions on Kuta Beach, Bali. Renowned as a fair weather surfer she has messed around in the white water ever since, “They make it look easy and I would love to able to surf 4-5 ft barrels but as long as I’m having fun I don’t care!! It will be a while before I’m carving up a wave but I’m in the best place to learn!”

Emma loves her job (most of the time) and considers herself very lucky to be working for such a pioneering yet relaxed and friendly company. With an office literally on the beach and a view from her window that some can only dream of – who could ask for more…? ”well, a beautiful hot summer and consistent, gentle waves would be nice!!”

Vicky Warwick-Evans

Profile

• Born: Southampton
• Lives: Bournemouth
• Years Surfing: 5
• Likes: Snow
• Dislikes: Chick Flicks

About Vicky

Vicky is one of the senior instructors as well as covering the office on Emma’s day off. She graduated in 2006 with a degree in Ecology but wanted a more active and adventurous lifestyle before continuing with her career. She has been working for Bournemouth Surf School for the past year and was previously working the ski seasons as a holiday rep and ski/snowboard guide.

Originally from Southampton she is a local girl but has travelled extensively, sampling worldwide breaks, most recently in Indonesia and Malaysia. She learnt to surf 5 years ago in Cornwall and has spent much of her surfing life on the cold water breaks on the South Coast of England.

Vicky thinks it’s a great opportunity working in an active, fun job on a beautiful beach, with great people to learn new skills from and the satisfaction of teaching such an exciting, addictive sport to anyone keen to learn.

Johny Wade

Profile

• Born: Rehovot, Israel
• Lives: Poole
• Years Surfing: 2
• Likes: The Beach
• Dislikes: Smelly Wetsuit Boots

About Johny

Johny is one of the newest surf coaches on board this year and actually learned to surf at Surf Steps (Bournemouth Surf School) under the excellent tutelage of our fearless leader, Andy Joyce. Johny is also known as Johny “O” because prior to the Surf school he worked as the education officer at the Oceanarium down the beach, teaching kids and adults the value of conserving rare and exotic creatures and respecting the ocean.

Johny graduated in 2004 with a degree in Marine and Freshwater Biology and has always had a passion for all things marine. Johny has only been surfing for a couple of years but in that time has managed to catch waves in Cornwall, Devon, Israel and of course Bournemouth.

Johny “O” has this to say about joining Surf Steps “I’m excited at the prospect of teaching people of all ages and abilities the great thrill of surfing that has now had me hooked for the last couple of years with many more to come!”