| Facts | There are currently 250,000 surfers in the UK. The biggest surf normally occurs on a pushing tide, especially on the Bristol Channel coast. Croyde Bay in North Devon and Fistral Beach in Cornwall are two of the most popular surfing beaches in Britain. The first ever degree in surfing was offered by the University of Plymouth. The record for the most number of surfers on a board was broken in 1989 at Fistral Beach, Newquay. Twelve surfers rode a 37ft longboard shaped by Tim Mellors. |
To celebrate this fantastic achievement, starting on the 18th September, the BSA is launching an initiative to enable more people the chance to experience the wonders of this world-wide loved sport by providing 40 FREE beginner surf lessons a day for 40 days with coaching from GB Team members at the International Surfing Centre, Fistral Beach, Newquay. In addition to the 1,600 free lessons up for grabs in Newquay, the BSA free lesson initiative is also hoped to extend across the 70 BSA approved surf schools nationwide offering a further 40 free lessons locally. If you are interested in booking a free lesson and experiencing the great fun and feeling of catching your first wave, call 01637 850737 and quote BSA 40. The BSA has been at the heart of the British surf scene since 1966 providing grassroots support to its members. The hard work put in from day one, by the BSA and its qualified coaches, is certainly showing dividends not least in the increased awareness of surfing in the UK and the improving standard of British surfing generally but at the sharp end as well. Over the decades the UK has produced some of the World’s most iconic surfing figures, including Rodney Sumpter, famed with winning several British titles in the 60’s; Viscount Ted Deerhurst, Britain's first professional surfer; and most recently Russell Winter, the first British surfer to compete on the World Championship Tour. These iconic figures coupled with the recent outstanding result of the British Junior Team at the World Surfing Games in California, certainly is a testament to the BSA. To further celebrate its 40th year, the BSA is translating the power and magic of the ocean to canvas in a gallery, which captures the soul of British surfing over the past 40 years through 40 iconic photographs. Photography plays a crucial role in surfing, with the most memorable images being the ones that capture the raw moments, showcasing why it is we love the sport so much. In its first ever gallery, the BSA has drawn on the talents of surf and photography legends including, Alex Williams and Paul Gill to ensure an exhibition of unique and inspiring images that capture the imagination and record an iconic moment in the rich and diverse British surf culture from 1966 – 2006. The gallery will open exclusively to the press on Thursday 21st September from 2pm, with Friday and Saturday open to the general public. To complement the magnificent images on show, the gallery will be displayed in the Thomas Neals Centre, in the heart of Seven Dials, Covent Garden, which is possibly London’s best one-stop-shop for street, surf and skate inspired clothing. The gallery will then go on display at the BSA’s official 40th birthday party in Newquay on the 30th September where specially invited guests will celebrate their contributions to the BSA. All 40 images will be auctioned off, using a silent bid process throughout both events, with money raised going towards supporting the GB surf team. The BSA would like to thank its highly supportive sponsors for their continued support over the past 40 years in helping the BSA provide grassroots support to its members, past, present and future, be it through coaching, coach courses, environmental campaigns or the staging/hosting of major surfing events and firmly position the BSA as the voice for surfing in Britain today. | 
