Surf Sanctuary. Rejecting monoculture since 2014.
"Surf Sanctuary functions somewhere between a band, a field lab and a quiet act of resistance. They're loosely organised, mildly dissenting, and united by a shared belief that competence, curiosity and time in the water matter more than polish or posturing. They distrust shortcuts, branding exercises and anything that promises transformation without effort. The ocean edits them daily, stripping away ego, trend and theatre, and what remains is skill, judgement and the occasional moment of grace. They’re comfortable with that arrangement". Dr. Lucien Varga, Senior Correspondent, Revue des Marges Atlantiques, 2023
THE TEAM
Bringing several decades of experience (!) to your session...each our our team are qualified to ISA Level 2 surf coach or equivalent, BSUPA Level 2 sup coach and RLSS beach lifeguard or equivalent.
We also conduct regular in-house training sessions and continue to study and train in fields outside of ocean sports to bring fresh ideas and techniques to our coaching.
DOM MOORE
As well as coaching surf, spearfishing and general ocean behaviour, Dom is a BSUPA national trainer, magazine editor and qualified skipper. He enjoys long forest walks with his dog Ishta and an ongoing argument with modern consumer culture.
Tom is one of Europe’s best foil surfers, though mercifully calmer than appearances suggest. He’s collected more five-star reviews than anyone cares to count, surfs exceptionally well and cooks seafood with quiet, unnerving competence.
Kirstin keeps Surf Sanctuary functioning despite entropy. A personal trainer, mountain biker and former groom to an Olympic showjumper, she favours bike degreaser over cosmetics and fixes problems with practical inventiveness.
ELSY WILLIAMS
Elsy arrived as a student and left us no choice but to hire her. The youngest on the team and a reminder that enthusiasm, care and turning up on time are not optional extras but the whole job done properly.
NICK BARTELOT
Multi-discipline, bilingual and quietly unflappable, Nick brings decades of surf experience and a rare ability to make people feel safe mid-chaos. Known for empathetic coaching, backhand tubes and building houses for neighbours after work.
DAVE READ
Dave has been here longer than anyone and appears largely unflappable. Owner of Juno the golden lab and competent across most ocean disciplines, he runs sessions with a steady, low-drama efficiency that suggests he’s already dealt with worse