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WHY CHOOSE POINT BREAKS?
 
John Barber talks to Simon Twitchen about surf lessons with Point Breaks.
John: "Let’s face it, there are so many surf schools to choose from ...why would you want to choose Point Breaks? Point Breaks certainly are not the cheapest and probably never will be, so why part with your hard earned cash knowing full well you can get a cheaper lesson else where?"
Simon: "In 1986 we started Croyde Bays first surf school. There were no surf or hire shops back then and the surf was uncrowded. But surfing seemed to be an ever growing sport so we devised a series of surf lessons for the absolute beginner. Soon a demand for intermediate courses was recognised and later competition level was added too. Some parts of these lessons are still used today... some twenty years later."
Simon Twitchen (Former Surfer of the year) and owner of Point Breaks has been surfing from a tender age of fourteen. He gained a host of competition trophies as his surfing career took off, and in recent years has still managed to get into finals of reputable surf competitions. Born and Bred in Croyde he is a regular face in the line up when ever the surf is pumping. Simon designs the content of the surf courses and does not just rely on the basics of normal surf lessons which are taught by various surfing organisations. Simon draws from his years of coaching experience to consistently design new courses which benefit all levels, whether beginner, intermediate or competition level.
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John:"There are surf instructors and schools everywhere you look now, how do you feel Point Breaks differs from any other school?"
Simon:"Many people seem to think that to be a good surf coach you have to be a good surfer alone. There is no doubt that there are many who feel that just because they can surf well they can also teach well. However, this is not necessarily the case and is clearly seen when people come to our school after attending someone else’s, having felt that have not exactly learnt much. Anybody can put up a sign with the words "professional" or "Experienced" surf instructors, but with a little investigation you can often find that that company has only existed for a season or two. In my view you only become professional or experienced when you have been doing something for a very long time successfully".
Simon also believes in a few other things which are incorporated into a Point Breaks surf lesson. For example he does not feel he can teach someone how to surf in two hours. He says:
"It takes time to issue the correct board sizes, the wetsuits, (there are 150 to choose from) plus boots etc. We then need to go through our safety talk and check out if anybody has any medical conditions etc. We then conduct our coaching on the beach, and after that we hit the surf. So realistically you still get between two and two and half hours actually in the water. As one of my clients pointed out to me just recently, on a two hour lesson she had, (and being part of a large group who she got added to) she only ended up with approximately forty five minutes in the water."
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"I do not feel I can give the clients the attention they need in forty five minutes" Simon said. "For a success rate as high as ours, I need every bit of our time in the water and thats why our surf lessons are three and a half hours long".
John:"Ok so the lessons are longer and the courses are professionally designed, (and that’s twenty years worth of professional) but what else?"
Simon:"I really feel the cold. If I am cold Im not happy. My body starts to seize up and I start to do a great impression of Elvis Presley..that is shaken all over!! That’s why we have quality wetsuits made for us that are great all year round. We use 5/4/3mm wetsuits which are blind stitched and titanium super stretch. The titanium reflects your body heat back onto yourself, while the super stretch material helps the suit to fit snugly around your body. We have a large range to suit pretty much all shapes and sizes. We are always hearing comments on how surprised people are when are actually warm in the water! This is an important part of our investment, because to me it is simple. If you are cold then you are less likely to be having fun, and being cold also affect your likely hood of succeeding."
"The other thing about wetsuits is hygiene. Point breaks have two massive 6,000 litre wash and treatment tanks in which the wetsuits are washed every time they are used. Again this takes substantial investment but we believe that wetsuit hygiene is a must. Many surf schools just hose down wetsuits to get the sand off the outside of the suit, and some do not bother at all with any form of treatment. At least with us you know the suit is clean and safe to wear."
John:"Good to hear. Anything else?"
Simon:"Yes, and this is a big one. It’s all about location. Point Breaks has put considerable investment into vehicles and trailers to transport all the kit down the beaches on any given day. We don’t just go to Croyde because it is closer and easier, we go to where ever it is best for that particular lesson. Therefore if the surf is huge at Croyde with a force 6 south westerly wind blowing, we will literally take all the kit (150 wetsuits) and all the boards round to Putsborough where the surf would be smaller and the wind would be lighter. We do not just go in at Croyde regardless of conditions. We also have a large changing room trailer for those who do not appreciate changing in public or it is a particularly cold day".
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"Its also a fact that as with most surf spots in the world it sometimes goes completely flat at Croyde (especially in summer). Here at Point Breaks you can be confident that if the surf is flat we have a range of other activities to keep you entertained if you wish to participate. Try water ski-ing, wake–boarding, have speed boat rides or try our incredibly fast super screamer. You could have a paddle ski tour with some huge pier jumps to spice things up a little...in other words we don’t take you in when it is flat. Don’t just assume all surf schools are the same, and don’t assume that if you complain there are no waves that you will get your money back. You’ll be lucky...very lucky!!"
"If the surf is flat and we put on an alternative activity which normally costs more money (eg Wake-boarding or water ski-ing) we don’t even charge you the extra! This gives you the confidence that no matter what happens you will have a fun time with Point Breaks."
John:"Anything else to add ? I think the surfs picking up now..."
Simon:"Well basically you get what you pay for, and we offer great value all round. Our lessons are £35 for three and a half hours, we provide all equipment, all tuition and full lifeguard cover as standard. We cater for singles, families, Corporate / Church and Scout Groups, Schools and Colleges. Max numbers, approx forty. For more information, call me direct on 07776148679 or email simon@pointbreaks.com if people are enquiring between 28th of November 06 and the 30th of January 07, please email as I will be in Australia. For more info visit the website and click on surf lessons or surf courses. If you have broadband you can watch video clips of us surfing too!"
John:"Ok thanks Simon. Now lets get in the water !
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