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 Surf School 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 a fantastic coach and has done many seasons with us. Jess now works as a sports coach at a school up near Brighton, but still comes back to visit us during school holidays!
Eva grew up in Ringmore and has been part of the Discovery family since she was a little grom at Surf Club. She is now one of our main coaches with four years under her belt, and lots of experience in the water. Eva also helps to run the office and shop so will often be found doing a mixture of everything. Eva is now studying biomedical science at university.
Ben is an experienced instructor at Discovery, having got four years of coaching under his belt already. On a busy summer’s day you are likely to find him either helping to run our shop, or taking lessons out in the water. He has grown up close to us and spent lots of time at the beach with his family. Ben is now also studying engineering at university.
Matt is an experienced coach and a talented local surfer. He lives locally with his wife and daughter and will soon be training to become a police officer. Matt is one of the main instructors with Discovery for the 2021 season you'll often see him at the beach teaching beginner lessons and inspiring the Surf Club groms...
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. Having finished A Levels and taken a year out Kai is planning to head to University.
Sophie has lived relatively locally for all of her life and has always loved the beach. A few years ago she qualified as a surf instructor and since then she has worked summers with us coaching here in Bigbury-on-Sea. Sophie is now also studying marine geography at University.
Harry is an established member of the team, and has been part of the Surf School family for many years - before qualifying as a coach he helped out washing wetsuits and surfing with us at the Surf Club. Harry works with us part time doing lessons and Surf Club and is Logistics Manager too! Harry 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.
Barnaby is an accomplished coach and has spent the last few years instructing here. He grew up locally and spent lots of Saturday mornings in the water at surf club with his friends from school. Barnaby is now studying at university and back coaching for the holidays.
Joe is in his sixth season coaching with Discovery, having come up through the ranks of Surf Club and becoming fully qualified in 2014. Joe is an accomplished surfer and comes back to coach with us on visits back home. Joe is currently at university in Swansea, and is a third year student studying marine biology.
Megan is a regular surf coach at Discovery and has a couple of seasons under her belt. She is a stand out local surfer and you'll regularly find her out surfing. She is also currently studying at University.
Grace is an experienced instructor here at Discovery, and has coached with us for a few seasons now. She is really creative and is happiest spending time in the water and at the beach. Grace loves travelling and is currently studying at University.
Kate Lindeque graduated from Surf Club shredder to Discovery Surf Coach and now has done a whole season. Kate has become a very popular and talented instructor, and can often be seen gracefully surfing the superbank. Currently also studying for her A Levels.
Noah has been around the water from a very young age, and started surfing competitively when he was around 10. Since then he has won many events, and last year was crowned the UK Pro Surf Tour U18 champion. A fantastic and inspiring achievement. Noah will be back again coaching this season having spent the winter surfing in Costa Rica.
Cam lives very locally to Discovery, and started his surfing career at Surf Club with a few friends (and now fellow instructors) from primary school. He has spent three seasons coaching with us and is a very popular member of the team.
Matz has been part of Discovery Surf School for many years and is one of our most experienced coaches. As well as being part of the Discovery team, Matz also works as an enabler. Matz is a very talented surfer and has appeared in many surfing magazines over the years.
Raz started his Discovery journey as a grom living in the local area and coming to Surf Club regularly with his friends. Raz has completed three seasons with us so far, and is also setting up a bell tent business locally.
Spike has coached with Discovery for several years and as well as being a great instructor he is also an accomplished water photographer. Spike has grown up locally with a love of the outdoors and being in the sea. Since he left school, Spike has spent the last few winters working as a successful surf photographer in Puerto Rico and Morocco, and summers coaching down at the beach in Bigbury.
Harry has represented GB in swimming and surfing, Harry represented GB again in Feb 2013 at the World Deaf surfing championship in Hawaii, where he placed an outstanding second in the world. A stand out surfer at Bantham. Harry is a natural for our special needs/Autism surf sessions.
