Martin Connolly, co-owner of Discovery Surf School is an ASI (Academy of Surf Instructors) master coach. Martin is a top rated British surfer and an English National Masters Champion with over 20 years experience as a coach and a lifeguard, on Australian and local beaches. Martin is from Plymouth and has grown up surfing South Devon and North Cornwall’s coastline as well as travelling around the world. Martin is the producer of the 110% Surfing Techniques franchise, selling coaching DVDs/downloads which have a worldwide audience.
Annika Connolly helps to run the surf school, surf shops and online surf instruction business as well as running around after surf groms Sebastian and Kira. Formerly a successful competitor, Annika is also a coach with much experience.
Jess has been part of the Discovery team for many years - she first started coming along as a pupil when at Holbeton Primary School, and has grown into a talented surfer. Jess is our Full Time manager and runs our ASI surf instructor courses. Jess is also a fully accredited strength and conditioning coach and works with local teams in her spare time.
Harry is an established member of the team, and has been part of the Surf School family for many years - Harry works with us part time as a Manager and doing lessons. He is also one of our specialist Special Needs coaches. When he's not with us at the surf school, Harry spends a lot of time in London, where he has a job in the film industry.
Meg is one of the senior surf coaches at Discovery and has several seasons under her belt. She is a stand out local surfer so you'll regularly see her in the water catching lots of good waves. We are excited to have Meg back for the summer, as she has spent the last few months lifeguarding in New Zealand.
Fred is a talented surfer and a fantastic coach, and is into his third season with Discovery. After finishing his A levels last year, Fred has spent his winter life guarding and chasing waves in New Zealand.
Gwill started surfing with Discovery through South Dartmoor Community College and was always a stand out surfer. As Rookie of the Year 2021, and Instructor of the Year 2022, Gwill has excelled as a coach and we are so glad to have had him back for the 2024 season.
Holly has grown up by the beach and been part of the Discovery team since she was young. You'll find Holly organising hire (and coaches) and getting you checked in for lessons. Holly is currently studying Biochemistry at university in Bristol.
Naomi joined our team last year, you can find her greeting you with a big smile when checking you in for lessons and organising hire! Naomi is currently doing an Open University course in Environmental Science and spends time long boarding on her days off.
Emily grew up locally with a love for the beach and being in the water. She is a friendly face at the surf school and is always stoked to get in the water. When she's not working, Emily is often searching the North coast for waves or getting up for an early surf with the girls!
Dave is an experienced instructor that has been with us at the Surf School for a number of years. He has recently graduated from Falmouth University with a degree in Renewable Energy Engineering and can often be found chasing waves somewhere warmer.
Kai has grown up in South Devon and spent a lot of time in and around the water from a young age, here and around the world. She is passionate about her job and has developed into a great instructor. Kai has just graduated from Bath University and really into cycling in her free time.
Louis has been with us for a few years now, he has really established himself as a fun, enthusiastic coach and a standout surfer. In his time away from the surf school, Louis enjoys skating with his friends and has recently spent his winter searching for waves in Australia!
Barnaby is an accomplished coach and has spent quite a few seasons coaching with us now. He grew up locally and spent lots of Saturday mornings in the water at Surf Club with his friends from school. Barnaby has just finished studying at Bristol university and is back coaching during the holidays before finding some winter waves.
Lola has been working as an amazing assistant in the shop for the past 3 summers. You will find Lola ensuring everything is running smoothly and everyone has what they need for lessons and hire. Lola has just finished her GCSEs and is going on to do her A levels, she is a very talented artist and engineer.
Charlie returned to coaching at Discovery after lots of other adventures around the world. You'll find Charlie lifeguarding the local beaches as well as in the red instructor vest.
Hattie is one of our newest coaches at Discovery, smashing her second season. She is already a super team member and an enthusiastic, helpful instructor. Hattie has grown up locally, spending lots of time in the water as part of our Surf Club and surfing with her friends in her free time.
Louis is a great member of the Discovery team! He is an all-round worker who be mostly found in the shop or on beach hire! A talented surfer, Louis is keen to complete his surf instructor qualification for next season.
Tom has been part of the surf school since he was really young, and has joined us for Surf Club, after school sessions, and activities weeks. We are so happy to have him on our coaching team, passsing his knowledge on to the younger ones coming up through Surf Club now.
Milo joined our surf instructor team this year! He has just finished his A levels and is planning a big trip through America for his gap year to find warmer waves on the central coast. Milo is a talented singer-songwriter and has just released two singles!
Freddie has been working as an instructor at Discovery since 2021. He has just finished his A levels and is currently planning a long trip to surf in some warmer waters! You will find him down the beach surfing the river with the boys or playing rugby.
Eva grew up in Ringmore and has been part of the Discovery family since she was a little grom at Surf Club. Eva helps to run the office so will often be working behind the scenes, as well as taking some keen groms out for their first surf lessons! Eva has just received a first in Biomedical Science at Plymouth university.
Sonny is a super member of our team working both in the shop and as an instructor. Like many of his colleagues, Sonny spent a lot of time in the water while growing up, and came to our Surf Club too! He is a really friendly and popular member of the team, and always on call to help you with hire or checking in for lessons.
Max has been a part of Discovery since he was really little, first coming to Surf Club with his younger bothers while on holiday. Now he is an experienced member of our shop staff, and studying business at uni in Exeter.
Kieron joined the Discovery team this year, he is an English and British junior champion and has surfed in many different countries around the world. Kieron has just finished his A levels and plans on going to find some tropical waves in his year out.
Grace is an experienced instructor here at Discovery, and has coached with us for many seasons now. She is really creative and is happiest spending time in the water and at the beach. Grace is also a keen and talented baker working also to make beautiful pastries!
Matt is an experienced coach and joined us after being in the forces a few years ago. Matt has surfed for many years but has recently taken up foiling as well. You'll often see Matt heading out for a surf or beach day with his family.
Harry joined the Discovery team this year, he has just finished his GCSEs and can be found surfing in the summer and skiing in the winter! Harry is a very patient and talented instructor and is a wonderful addition to the surf school.
Indie joined the Discovery team this year, she has just finished her GCSEs and is enjoying a long summer filled with teaching surf lessons and long boarding. Indie is a very stylish surfer and lives right by the water.
Sennen is a member of our shop staff and also a trainee instructor. Like many of our coaches, he started out as a grom coming to Surf Club but now works during his time off from school.
Alice qualified as an instructor with us last year and has been teaching for us this summer, as well as being a great addition to the shop team!
