Ready to hit the water - youngsters on the surfing course
Pembrokeshire youngsters took to their surfboards this summer thanks to a new
initiative from Pembrokeshire Leisure.
The leisure arm of Pembrokeshire County Council teamed up with OuterReef
Surf School to provide free surfing lessons for children as a development of the
Welsh Assembly Government’s (WAG) free swimming scheme.
Each Wednesday for five weeks groups of young people from across the County
enjoyed a day’s fun and learning in the pool and on the beach.
The youngsters spent the mornings in their local swimming pool learning the
basics and getting used to surfing equipment.
Buses were then on hand to take them to a suitable beach after lunch to try their
hand at the real thing.
After an introductory talk on water safety, catching waves and controlling the
board from Dean Gough owner of OuterReef Surf School
- the youngsters took to the water.
Dean has been teaching surfing for the past 15 years and
has surfed in many competitions. He and his team of instructors are all fully
qualified BSA surf coaches and beach lifeguards.
Councillor Rob Lewis, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said the youngsters had
thoroughly enjoyed the sessions.
“They have been a wonderful introduction to a sport, which is both fun and which
plays an increasingly important role in the local economy,” he said.
“Pembrokeshire Leisure is to be applauded for developing such an innovative
scheme.”
Dean Gough said the surf school was delighted to have been part of the
scheme.
“ it was even more popular than we hoped,” he said.
Pembrokeshire youngsters took to their surfboards this summer thanks to a new
initiative from Pembrokeshire Leisure.
The leisure arm of Pembrokeshire County Council teamed up with OuterReef
Surf School to provide free surfing lessons for children as a development of the
Welsh Assembly Government’s (WAG) free swimming scheme.
Each Wednesday for five weeks groups of young people from across the County
enjoyed a day’s fun and learning in the pool and on the beach.
The youngsters spent the mornings in their local swimming pool learning the
basics and getting used to surfing equipment.
Buses were then on hand to take them to a suitable beach after lunch to try their
hand at the real thing.
After an introductory talk on water safety, catching waves and controlling the
board from Dean Gough owner of OuterReef Surf School
- the youngsters took to the water.
Dean has been teaching surfing for the past 15 years and
has surfed in many competitions. He and his team of instructors are all fully
qualified BSA surf coaches and beach lifeguards.
Councillor Rob Lewis, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said the youngsters had
thoroughly enjoyed the sessions.
“They have been a wonderful introduction to a sport, which is both fun and which
plays an increasingly important role in the local economy,” he said.
“Pembrokeshire Leisure is to be applauded for developing such an innovative
scheme.”
Dean Gough said the surf school was delighted to have been part of the
scheme.
“ it was even more popular than we hoped,” he said.
