Margaret River Surf School

HISTORY
Started in 1994 by Lindsay Thomson, the Margaret River Surf School is the regions first. It has continued to successfully run for over 20 years with the hard work of Helen Thomson, her family and staff. In 2015, former manager and head coach Jarrad Davies and his wife Domanie Davies (who has also been a coach for the school for many years) bought the business to continue the surf school’s highly respected and well-known reputation.

Now, with owning the surf school, Jarrad and Domanie are living their dream of sharing their passion and love for the sport with people of all ages and abilities. They take great pride in their professionalism, fitness and energy, as well as their highly qualified surfing knowledge.

The Margaret River surf school strives to give everyone the chance to discover the thrill and excitement of catching their first wave while extending their abilities with their coach’s expert advice.

HEAD COACH
Head coach and owner Jarrad Davies is a Margaret River local who lives and breathes everything surfing! Jarrad is an accredited level two surf coach, qualifying him to coach beginners right through to high-performance students. Jarrad was in the water from a young age and destined to be heavily involved in the surf while watching his father, Stan Davies, win 12 Australian and 13 World Surf lifesaving titles. Jarrad has continued the family’s dedication to the industry by surf coaching and being a part of the South-West Surf Lifesaving Helicopter crew as a rescue swimmer.

Jarrad has been sponsor by Rusty, Oakley, Grubb Surf Boards and Odyssey 20/20. He competes locally and nationally mainly as a short board rider but also extends his talents in to single fin, alaia, long boarding and stand up paddle boarding. Jarrad has won state competitions for both Surfing WA and Surf Life Saving.

LESSONS
Margaret River Surf School lessons are mainly run from the pristine Redgate Beach just a 15 minute drive south of Margaret River. However, the swell and wind forecasted for the day is checked before each lesson and locations may vary to ensure lessons are safe and give everyone the very best out of their surfing experience.

The lessons offered can cater for all ages and abilities from beginners to advanced. Lessons begin by meeting coaches at the Margaret River Surf School Van 10 minutes prior to the lesson starting. Participants are then individually sized up with a wetsuit and board.

After walking from the car park to the beach, coaches give a talk on safety and techniques. Participants will get all the information they need to have them feeling assured before even getting in to the water. Coaches teach participants about the waves, rips, any hazards,surfing etiquette and techniques on how to carry their board, attach their leg rope, paddle for a wave and stand up.

Once in the water, coaches assist with wave selection and help participants balance as they get a feel for paddling and standing up on the waves.

After the lesson, coaches are there for a debrief and any further advice or knowledge participants may want on developing their skills or setting them up with their own equipment suited to their needs and abilities.

COACHES
Margaret River Surf School coaches are fully qualified through Surfing Australia’s coaching courses. Their accreditations are recognised by the National Sporting Organisation for coaching and the only courses recognised by the Australian Sports Commission’s National Coaching Accreditation Scheme. Surfing Australia and associated State Branches are recognized by the international Surfing Association as the world leader in the development of coaching and judging programs.

Coaches must renew their Bronze Medallion (or at minimum Surf Rescue Certificate) every year to ensure they are fit and up to date with first aid and surf rescue techniques.

Every coach must also obtain a Working with Children Check which is a comprehensive criminal record check for people in child related work in Western Australia.