highlights — The SurfSkate Academy

THE RED BULL UCI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: SCOTTISH QUALIFIERS

It was an absolute pleasure to have been invited to be part of the UCI Red Bull Pump Track World Championship Scottish Qualifiers organised by Red Bull. The Surfskate Academy had the Pump Track for one hour just before the finals. The idea was to promote other sports on wheels and with surfskating being on the rise, it was the perfect fit for the event.

It was an express session where anyone was able to join in and have a go with any of the YOW surfskates. If anyone needed some coaching we were there to help out. Such a great event, with good weather and lots of action!

People riding bikes on a dirt trail next to a concrete pump track, with others watching under umbrellas and shaded areas on a sunny day in a wooded park.

Skateboards with yellow wheels in the foreground, a skateboarding event or race in the background with spectators, BMX bikers, and a Red Bull tent, outdoor setting with trees and rocky hills.

People at a Red Bull Pump Track Qualifier event at an outdoor skate park with a blue arch and a Red Bull tent in the background.

A grassy outdoor area with trees, a hill in the background, and a large banner promoting the Red Bull UCI Pump Track Cup at The Skel in Edinburgh, UK, on June 25, 2022.

SCHOOL TO SURF PROGAMME WITH SCOTTISH SURFING & ACTIVE SCHOOLS

A West Lothian school has made waves as one of the first in Scotland to introduce pupils to the dynamic sports of surfing and skateboarding thanks to a ground-breaking pilot programme focusing on the use of SurfSkate.

Twelve pupils from Calderwood Primary School, identified as non-participants in traditional sports, embarked on a transformative 10-week programme to develop SurfSkate skills - a blend of surfing and skateboarding fundamentals, before taking to the waves for the first time.

The innovative 'School to Surf' programme, funded by Scottish Surfing and delivered in partnership with The SurfSkate Academy, Lost Shore Surf Resort and Active Schools, aims to break down barriers to sport participation whilst growing confidence, resilience and a sense of community in young people.

The programme was an exciting milestone, with the pupils' first experience in Europe's largest wave pool which has recently opened in Ratho near Edinburgh. In wetsuits and brimming with anticipation, the children had an hour surf session under the guidance of Lost Shore instructors.

Despite the chilly conditions, the young surfers showed enthusiasm in their newfound sport.

Group of children wearing helmets and skating in an indoor gym, with a man in a white shirt and black cap taking a selfie.

Group of people in blue wetsuits and helmets preparing for paddleboarding on a flooded outdoor area.

People in yellow and blue life jackets riding surfboards in a body of water near a waterfall.

Group of children and adults sitting and standing on wooden stairs inside a modern building, some wearing cowboy hats, with glass railings and an open space behind them.

THE WAVE PROJECT SCOTLAND GROUP SESSIONS

The Wave Project has been running in Scotland since its pilot in 2014 and now delivers our award-winning surf therapy programmes to over 100 young people a year. The Surfskate Academy has been a great option to keep the kids active during the cold winter months and continue to progress in their surfing.

A group of people skateboarding outdoors on a cloudy day, with two individuals in the foreground, including one man wearing black skate shoes and a woman dressed as a penguin with a blue helmet and a red bow tie, walking on a skateboard.

A group of people at a skateboarding event outdoors, includes children wearing helmets and adults, some skateboarding and others observing, with trees, vehicles, and cloudy sky in the background.

The SurfSkate Academy supports Superhero Day with Wave Project Scotland by offering surfskate sessions and coaching to help young people build confidence, wellbeing and friendships. Our fun, accessible workshops teach balance, resilience and connection, skills that link surfskating to Wave Project’s surf therapy. We love spending time raising awareness of the fabulous work they do for young people’s mental health.

Superhero Day celebrates community and they can try surfskating as a step toward surfing.

FRINGE BY THE SEA SURFSKATE EVENTS

FRINGE BY THE SEA is an annual seaside festival celebrating creativity, community and coastal culture. For the past three years SurfSkate has taken part, delivering tailored sessions for both children and adults.

Our kids’ sessions introduce balance, board skills and safe movement in a fun, supportive setting. Adult sessions focus on technique, flow and adapting surf-style turns on concrete.

It’s suitable for beginners through intermediate riders. Across all sessions we prioritise safety, progressive coaching and an inclusive atmosphere so participants leave more confident and ready to translate skills between surf and skate.

Children standing outdoors at a skateboarding event, holding skateboards on a paved surface with a fence in the background.

A man giving skateboarding instructions to a girl on a skateboard at an outdoor skate park with a blue fence and green trees in the background.

A man teaches a young girl how to skateboard at a park. The girl is wearing a blue helmet, a light blue sweater, a skirt with strawberry print, and striped leggings. The man is wearing a black T-shirt, shorts, and a cap. In the background, another child is sitting on the ground near a blue fence with lush green trees.

A coach giving instructions to a group of children wearing helmets during skateboarding practice at an outdoor skate park.

HADDSTOCK FESTIVAL SURFSKATE SESSIONS

The SurfSkate Academy ran four free 30‑minute taster sessions at Haddstock, each tailored to a different age group.

Booking was essential and places filled fast, giving families a safe, fun introduction to surfskating amid the festival buzz.

Haddstock’s weekend of live music, workshops and community events made the perfect backdrop, with kids and adults trying out new moves between sets and workshops.

Poster for Haddstock 2023 music and arts festival on May 27-28. Includes activities like live music, arts trail, heavy sound crib, surf skate academy, art & nature workshops, battle of the bands, and school concerts. Features genres like rock, americana, folk, electro, hip-hop, jazz, choral, buskers, carnival, streetband, loose parts play, workshops, storytellers, food, family events, music quiz. Festivities take place in Haddington's cafes, pubs, halls, streets, and gardens. Website: www.haddstock.co.uk, social media icons visible.

SCOTTISH UNIVERSITIES SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS

For the second year running The Surfskate Academy proudly sponsored the Scottish Universities Surfing Championships in Aberdeen, and what a weekend. Great atmosphere, good swell, and lots of fun.

We have had it all: sunny skies, glassy waves, a spell of onshore wind, a few minutes of hail, then glassy conditions again. Brilliant organisation, great food, superb camaraderie and non‑stop smiles between heats. The Surfskate Academy brought YOW surfskates in a mix of decks, wheelbases and designs, and the stoke was real, with queues to have a go, newbies finding their feet and seasoned riders absolutely killing it.

Huge thanks to everyone involved. Year after year this contest gets better and better , and we’re already excited for next time.

Young girl skateboarding past small blue cones at an outdoor event with tents and people in the background.

Group of people happily waving and smiling inside a vehicle, with some wearing winter clothing.

SCOTTISH UNIVERSITIES SURFSKATE SESSIONS

The SurfSkate Academy has partnered with Universities throughout Scotland, icluding Dundee, Edinburgh and Galsgow for back-to-back group sessions: a first block focused on beginner to intermediate riders, followed by a second block for more advanced students.

These sessions translate surf technique into targeted on-land skateskills, keeping students’ timing, balance and movement patterns sharp even when local breaks are sometimes a 45-minute drive away.

That continuity proved invaluable, delivering strong progress and high engagement across all levels. Our collaboration supports regular, structured development so students can maintain momentum between ocean sessions and return to the water more confident and capable.

A young girl skateboarding on a city sidewalk near building and blue cones, with blue sky above.

Young woman skateboarding outdoors on a city street, smiling and looking directly at the camera.

A group of young people socializing with skateboards outside a historic building with stairs, columns, and decorative architecture.

Young woman skating on a paved outdoor area near a large stone building, with orange and blue cones set up for training or practice.

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS IN COLLABORATION WITH ACTIVE SCHOOLS

We partner with Active Schools to deliver after-school surfskate sessions that get children moving, build confidence and develop board skills in a safe, structured environment. Our coaches are DBS-checked, trained in child safeguarding and first aid, and deliver progressive lessons tailored to age and ability. Sessions focus on balance, coordination, footwork and ocean-awareness, combining fun drills, games and technique coaching to keep pupils engaged and motivated.

We supply equipment, full risk assessments and clear communication with school staff and parents, making set-up and administration straightforward for schools. Programs can run as short-term 4 week blocks or ongoing clubs, with opportunities for beginner pathways and skill progression. Working alongside schools, we support healthy habits, inclusion and active play while giving children a transferable skill that builds confidence on and off the board.

Children in helmets line up with skateboards in a schoolyard.

Children sitting on the gym floor listening to an instructor holding a colorful umbrella.

Group of children and an adult standing in a parking lot, possibly participating in an outdoor activity or class, with parked buses and houses in the background.

Six children skateboarding on a playground with a fire hydrant nearby.