GB Surfing will pilot a female coaching development initiative at the squad’s November training camp in Viana do Castelo and the December training camp in Peniche.
GB Surfing fly out to Portugal tomorrow for their first winter training camp at Viana do Castelo. The camp, which is for the GB Progression Squad, will be an opportunity for the team to spend time on high quality waves and work on various technical elements for their development.
Head coach, Luke Dillon, will lead the performance side of the camp with support from Emily Currie. Emily, who is the current European Longboard Champion, as well as having an impressive shortboard career, will assist Luke and use the experience for her own coaching development.
GB Surfing will also take another female coach to the Peniche training camp in December, and both opportunities will act as pilots for a coaching development initiative. Through a recent coach hiring process in the Home Nations, it has become apparent that there is a need to invest in developing more women who have the potential and desire to be surf coaches at all levels. The aim of the pilot is therefore to give Emily exposure to the running and coaching of an elite training camp, integrate her with the athletes and help develop her technical coaching ability.
Talking about the pilot, GB Surfing’s Executive Performance Director, Dan Hunt, said: “We have looked carefully at what we need to change and implement in order to achieve our Olympic ambitions, and it has become clear that there is a gap regarding female coaches.
“To produce and develop the best surfers, we need to ensure they are receiving quality coaching, so we are delighted to be piloting a female coach development initiative. The opportunity will give female coaches increased exposure to elite coaching and camps and will provide them with the resource and experience to learn and develop.
“This begins with our two training camps before Christmas which we will then look to build into a wider programme designed to support and encourage more female coaches in the UK.”
Commenting on the opportunity, Emily Currie, added: “I am very excited to be involved with the GB Surfing Progression Squad, to be able to work alongside and support the best surfers of the next generation is a real honour!
“I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to develop my own coaching abilities, and learning from the other professionals on the trip, as well as the athletes. There aren’t many female coaches working in elite surfing, so the fact that GB Surfing are looking to develop this gap and give opportunities to women in a very male dominated area, is awesome and a huge step forward.
“I’m currently studying Sport & Exercise Science at Marjon university, so it will be great to put my knowledge from my degree into practice. I have been working alongside elite athletes whilst at university, but being able to work in the sport you love is something really special!
“I am very grateful for this opportunity!”
GB Surfing Board member, Arlene Maltman, added: “I am proud to be on the board of GB Surfing and to share with you the launch of theGB Surfing Female Coaching Development Initiative.
“From my own experience, of participating in the sport for the past 45 years both on the competitive and administrative side, I have been keenly aware of the lack of opportunities for women. This pilot scheme is an important step in opening up surfing for women. It’s a move in the right direction, it opens the door for more role models and far more equality in what has been historically a male dominated sport.
“My hope is that in the future such roles will become part of the norm and women will naturally fill and lead the sport.”
If you would like to be considered for the Peniche pilot in December, please email [email protected] with your surfing CV and a short cover letter.