Surf Snowdonia to Establish the Worlds First Inland Surf Club
Surf snowdonia is launching what will be a world-first communit surf club in the heart of conwy valley this weekend. Here at TVSC we have been keeping a keen eye on the introduction of surfing lakes to the UK and what it will mean for the sport here and around the world.
The Dyffryn Conwy Surf Club – Clwb Syrffio Dyffryn Conwy – will offer low-cost surf lessons to young people living in the Conwy Valley area. It will be the first surf club on the planet to be based inland – eight miles from the coast at Surf Snowdonia’s world-first inland surf lagoon in Dolgarrog.
The aim of the club is to make surfing affordable and accessible to youngsters who might otherwise find it difficult to take part in the sport. Sessions will take place every Saturday morning and, after an initial free taster session, will cost just £3 per week.
The club will be operated as an independent organisation in a joint partnership between Conwy Council and The Outdoor Partnership. Surf Snowdonia has donated access to its wave lagoon, equipment and expertise for free.
Andy Ainscough, managing director at Surf Snowdonia said: “This initiative is something we have been working on for a while as we see it as a really meaningful way for us to give something back to the amazing community where we have made our home.
“We’re really excited about the idea of being able to share our world-class facilities and our passion for surfing with young people who might not otherwise have had the confidence or opportunity to try. Surfing is a fantastic sport with so many benefits.
“Conwy Council and The Outdoor Partnership have been fantastic partners for us to work with to get the club off the ground. We wish them and the Dyffryn Conwy Surf Club a very happy and successful future.
Roger Pierce, outdoor activity development officer from Conwy Council was excited to bring surfing to an inland community: “Surfing is a fantastic sport! It already has a large and growing number of participants and its inclusion as a sport in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is sure to see it explode in popularity.
“The Dyffryn Conwy Surf Club will help local residents to access the sport and to learn how to develop their skills. Who knows, perhaps one day we will see an Olympic surfing medal come home to the Conwy Valley!”.
Simon Jones of The Outdoor Partnership explained how the club will grow: “Once club members have learnt to surf we will help them to gain recognised awards such as the NVQ Beach Lifeguard or Surf Instructor Awards. This will enable them to assist in running club sessions and ensure sustainability for the club and hopefully to eventually gain employment working in the outdoor sector – possibly at Surf Snowdonia.”
Demand for membership to the club has been high, and all applicants are asked to write to the organisers confirming their commitment to weekly training and to explain why they think they should be considered for a place.
All surfers must be confident swimmers. Sessions will be offered to ages 8-12 and then age 12+. The first club sessions take place on Saturday October 1st between 8am and 10am.
For more information call the Dyffryn Conwy Surf Club on 01492 574 086. The launch of the Dyffryn Conwy Surf Club at Surf Snowdonia comes just days after the UK Pro Surf Tour announced it had added the inland wave lagoon to its 2016 tour schedule – the first time an inland wave lagoon has ever featured on a Pro Surf Tour schedule - Courtesy of Boardsport Source
