Founder and head instructor Archie has always been a sports fanatic representing his county at youth level in both football and cricket. At the age of 25 Archie decided to build the business from scratch. Having numerous seasons of surf coaching under his belt he decided to go it alone. Along with his business partner Jamie the business continues to grow and develop year on year providing the highest standard of surf coaching as well as a range of additional services and products. Archie has surfed all over the world and whenever there’s a swell he’ll be there. Archie deals with a lot of the business side of things behind the scenes but his true passion lies in the practical surf coaching and being in the water as much as possible.
Our very own Keanu Reeves from the 90s classic Pointbreak (for those younger generation who might not be so aware). Rhys has recently been promoted to Surf Saunton’s managerial position. Rhys does everything from managing day to day bookings, scheduling instructors, taking surf lessons as well as his very own surf mobility sessions that he runs privately and through the Surf School at Saunton. Commonly referred to as Handsome Rhys he is however a taken man. Rhys works day in day out so you will be sure to meet him down at the beach.
Local legend Damo is probably the biggest frother of them all. Day in day out no matter how good or bad the conditions are he’s in there having a great time. One of the most easy going and stylish longboarders out at Saunton, with an effortless combination of turns and nose riding skills that he pulls together wave after wave.
Kez brings the much needed female touch to the surf school. She’s a super positive person as well as mad keen surfer always trying to sneak sessions between lessons to maximise her time in the water. Kez is a local girl who knows the beaches and the breaks well. She is incredibly friendly and easy to get on with and puts everything into her coaching.
Geordie is our new man originally from the wet and chilly coast of Aberdeen. Growing up he surfed in just about as horrendous conditions as you can get in the UK so it’s seriously impressive how he’s managed to get to the level he is at today. Since those days Geordie has spent a lot of time coaching surfing at inland wave pools and was an influential part of the coaching team during the opening of the wave pool in Bristol in 2019. This year he decided he had enough of the concrete bottom pools and has made the intelligent transition to the sand bank waves we have here at Saunton Sands.
Young Hol is now a very experienced instructor. Started at the Surf School aged 17 she has been here since and is showing the older guys how its done. Holly is a local girl who grew up down the road. She was part of the Surf Life Saving Club for years building loads of confidence and experience in various disciplines in the sea. Holly is now one of the more senior members of the team and will be part of a lot of sessions throughout the summer.
