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 25 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 Surfing England surf instructor courses. Jess is also a fully accredited strength and conditioning coach and works with local teams when she's not at the surf school or her mums farm.
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!
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, as well as helping to run the surf school at Bantham. Kai has graduated from Bath University and is a really talented Triathlete and Ultra Marathon runner.
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 drama and has recently spent his winter searching for waves in Morocco!
Fred is a talented surfer and a fantastic coach, and is into his 4th season with Discovery. Currently at the University of Falmouth and prior to that Fred 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 2025 season. Gwill is a talented Graphic Designer and is studying that at University.
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 has just received a First Class Honours degree in Biochemistry from the university of Bristol.
Naomi is a super organised member of the team, keeping us on our toes and making sure everyone is happy. 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.
Joe has done many seasons coaching with Discovery, and also came up through the ranks of Surf Club. Joe is helping to run operations at Bantham this summer, before heading off to do a Masters at Plymouth University. Prior to that Joe studied Marine Biology at uni in Swansea.
Hattie is an accomplished member of the team, with a couple of seasons under her belt. She is 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.
Harry has just finished his A Levels and can be found surfing in the summer and skiing in the winter! Harry is a very patient and talented instructor and is a great member of the team.
Indie has just finished her A Levels 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.
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 been working as a TA at a local school before she heads off to complete a PGSE.
Lola has been working as an amazing assistant in the shop for the past 4 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 A Levels and she is a very talented artist and engineer.
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 finished studying at Bristol university and on his days off from his other job, he likes to jump back in and help out with lessons.
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!
Frida has come from Surf Club to become one of our very talented young coaches. She is currently studying for her A Levels.
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.
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, passing his knowledge on to the younger ones coming up through Surf Club now.
Freddie has been working as an instructor at Discovery since 2021. He has been at university and also been travelling as well in that time. You will find him down the beach surfing the river with the boys or playing rugby.
Seb has been part of the surf school since he was born - mum and dad run it! Newly qualified as a coach and having just completed his GCSE's, Seb is looking forward to developing his coaching skills. Seb is part of the Surfing England Junior Squad and is a successful competitive surfer.
Alice qualified as an instructor with us 2 years ago and will be teaching again for us this summer. Since finishing her education she has done lots of travelling.
Harry is an established member of the team, and has been part of the Surf School family for many years. Working full time in the solar panels and film industries, Harry will sometimes drop back in and help on his days off!
Eva grew up in Ringmore and has been part of the Discovery family since she was a little grom at Surf Club. Eva recently received a First Class Degree in Biomedical Science at Plymouth university and sometimes works at the surf school on her days off.
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.
