GB Surfing is delighted to announce the appointment of Mick Cain as Head of Performance. A world-leading surf performance coach with a proven record of developing surfers to elite level, Mick will oversee GB Surfing’s performance strategy, working closely with Performance Coach, Luke Dillon, and Team Manager, Gwen Spurlock, to nurture Britain’s most talented young surfers.
Mick’s appointment represents a major step forward in GB Surfing’s ambition to refine its performance vision and achieve long-term goals aligned with the LA28 Olympics and beyond. He brings extensive international experience, having developed and implemented proven timeline strategies with some of the world’s best young surfers. The integration of his online SPI platform will also provide structured, year-round coaching and significantly increase athlete and coach engagement.
Mick’s coaching philosophy centres on raising a surfer’s base level of performance, ensuring consistency so that even an average wave can yield a competitive score. His expertise spans wave usage, technique, and equipment, and his innovative approach to board setups has already helped British athletes maximise their performance.
Luke Dillon will continue to implement GB Surfing’s performance strategy with guidance and support from Mick, who will remain based in Australia. Alongside regular remote interaction with surfers and coaches, Mick will attend major competitions and selected training camps in the UK and overseas, including the GB Cup in Thurso this October.
Speaking about his appointment, Mick Cain, said:
“I am honoured to take on the role of Head of Performance with GB Surfing. Britain has an exciting pool of talent, and I look forward to building on the foundations already in place to ensure our athletes can compete on the world stage. My focus will be on creating an environment where surfers can thrive, coaches can grow, and the system as a whole works together towards excellence.”
GB Surfing’s Chair, added:
“Mick brings a wealth of experience, vision, and leadership to GB Surfing. His track record of working with world-class surfers and building high-performance systems makes him the ideal person to guide our athletes and coaches towards future success. His appointment provides exactly the continuity, expertise, and engagement our programme needs as we look ahead to LA28 and beyond.”
In this role, Mick will lead on GB Surfing’s performance strategy. Alongside overseeing the elite Progression Squad, he will place strong emphasis on strengthening the British pathway and building the foundations for long-term, sustainable success. Working closely with the Home Nations, Mick will help identify and nurture emerging British coaches, providing support and guidance both through his online training platform and in person at camps and key domestic events.
To ensure Mick can dedicate his full attention to performance, wider business functions such as governance, finance, and communications will remain under the remit of the Head of Operations. In addition, GB Surfing will be recruiting a new Director with a background in UK performance sport to strengthen expertise and oversight at Board level.