Ready to break through that surfing plateau? The Surf Experience is teaming up with professional surf coach Beau Bromham for a series of intensive training weeks in Portugal. Aiming at both female and male surfers the training courses are designed to help experienced surfers improve their technique, build confidence and take their surfing up a notch.

If you've got a few manoeuvres under your belt, but somehow your surfing doesn't seem to be progressing. Sometimes all it takes is a fresh perspective, some expert feedback and a week of great waves to make a real difference.

That's the idea behind The Surf Experience (TSE) bootcamps, which bring professional-level coaching to everyday surfers in a fun, relaxed environment. With limited places on each camp, there's plenty of individual attention and the opportunity to focus on the areas of your surfing that need the most work.

The camps take place in the Algarve, Portugal, with three training weeks scheduled for November, December and March 2027. With its mild climate, consistent Atlantic swells and variety of surf breaks, the region provides an ideal setting for a week dedicated to improving your surfing.

The Surf Experience team will be on hand to find the best waves each day, making the most of the conditions and avoiding the crowds where possible. Add in great Portuguese food, healthy packed lunches and evenings in Lagos, and there's plenty to enjoy out of the water too.

Who are the camps for?

These weeks are aimed at confident, independent surfers who already have a solid foundation and want to refine their technique. Ideally, you'll be comfortable performing bottom turns, top turns, cutbacks, floaters and re-entries, with the coaching focusing on developing greater speed, flow, control and consistency.

The emphasis is on quality coaching, plenty of waves and putting what you've learned straight into practice.

Meet Your Coach: Beau Bromham

Beau brings a wealth of competitive surfing and coaching experience to the camps. Currently Head Coach of the English Junior Surfing Squad, he has coached surfers at every level, from recreational surfers to international competitors, including at ISA World Championships, European Championships and WSL events.

But for Beau, these weeks aren't about turning everyone into competitive surfers. They're about helping people get more out of their surfing.

"Running camps has always been one of my favourite parts of coaching. I love having the time to really get to know someone's surfing, identify a couple of key areas to focus on and work on them throughout the week.

"It's amazing the difference that can make, especially when you're getting plenty of time in the water, while still keeping things fun and enjoying everything that comes with a proper surf trip."

How Does the Training Work?

The approach is straightforward: maximise time in the water, use video analysis to identify areas for improvement, and then head back out the following day to put that feedback into practice.

"The idea behind the bootcamp is simple: maximise time in the water, use video analysis to understand what you need to work on, then get straight back out there the next day to put it into practice," explains Beau.

"No burpees or dune runs here… your arms will be tired enough from all the surfing!"

Each evening, the group gathers back at the main house to review footage from the day's sessions. It's an opportunity to look closely at your technique, understand what's working and learn from the other surfers on the camp.

"At the end of each day, we get together at the main house to watch the footage from our surfs. It's always one of my favourite parts of the day and something everyone gets so much out of, not just from their own feedback but from hearing what everyone else is working on too."

More Than Just a Training Camp

While improving your surfing is the main objective, Beau believes the atmosphere of the week is just as important.

"What I love most is how much they feel like a proper surf trip, with great people, plenty of waves and lots of laughs along the way."

Days are spent exploring the Algarve in search of the best conditions, with nutritious packed lunches to keep everyone fuelled for long sessions in the water. Afterwards, there's time to relax, enjoy a post-surf drink and head into Lagos for dinner.

"By the end of the week, you've hopefully caught some amazing waves, made some real progress and shared plenty of good times with a great bunch of people. It's that whole surf trip atmosphere that makes these weeks so special!"

With small groups, expert coaching and plenty of time in the water, the camps offer a chance to focus entirely on your surfing, pick up some new skills and enjoy a great week away.

Each guest will also receive a 30-minute sports massage as part of the package.

The Surf Experience bootcamps with Beau Bromham will take place in November and December 2026 and March 2027 in the Algarve, Portugal.

This boot camp is for both male and female surfers looking to improve. For dates, availability and booking details, visit TheSurfExperience.com.

The Surf Experience bootcamps with Beau Bromham will take place in November and December 2026 and March 2027 in the Algarve, Portugal.

This boot camp is for both male and female surfers looking to improve. For dates, availability and booking details, visit TheSurfExperience.com.

Photos: Jamie Elliott

Joey Gray caught up with Gee Piper ahead of this year’s Single Fin Shoot Out.

You’ve been part of the Newquay surf scene for so long, what makes the town such a fitting home for the Single Fin Shoot Out?
Newquay is really the home of British surfing for me. It’s got so much history from the early days when the Aussie lifeguards arrived. They passed their boards onto the first locals, which spawned the birth of Bilbo. From that, surfers like the late Chris Jones and Roger Mansfield started surfing and became the best in the water, and that tradition has continued till this day with the likes of Lucas Skinner.

What was it about Single Fins that struck a chord, and what has kept it going?
I learnt to surf on a single fin, but as I got older, I moved through twin fins, quads, and eventually ended up on a thruster for many years. When I spent a year in Australia, I lived with this guy in Manly, and he used to buy boards from the cash converters and the op shops. He would bring all sorts back to the pad, and we would take them out and have a right laugh, and what stuck me was riding these old boards was so much fun. You didn’t care if you were just going straight or not. When I got back to the UK, I started getting my own stash together and visit them whenever I need to reset my surfing or want a different feeling.

So, you’ve ridden a lot of different boards over the years… What is it about a good single fin that still gets you?
For me, it’s the language of the board. They seem to dictate the speed and tightness of arc and are not particularly forgiving. In truth, they are a challenge to ride well, so when you see the good surfers at the event, you have a deeper understanding of just how good these guys and girls are surfing.

When you pick up an old board, what are you looking at? The outline, the rails, the foil, the fin, the craftsmanship?
For me, the first thing that grabs me is the plane shape. I will then pick it up and feel the balance under the arm whilst examining the foil and rocker. If you watch Freeride and the section where Rabbit is in his room in Hawaii, it’s kinda like that. It’s the sum of all the parts that complement each other, but they have to flow into one another.

Are there particular shapes or shapers that have influenced the event / you guys?
We’ve had a few magic boards over the years. I think for me personally, there have been three boards. I have a Nichols Lightning Bolt I brought back from Hawaii, a 5'8" Ken Bradshaw that my mate Simon sold me, and the latest favourite is another 5'8" Local Knowledge I brought back from Aus on my last trip. The best surfing I have seen was Jay Quinn riding a 6'6" Nirvana, which I think he rode to victory twice or three times. That is owned by a local but spends most of the time between events in my loft.

Do you think riding these older boards teaches you something that can get lost on modern equipment?
Definitely. I touched upon it earlier. Modern equipment is very forgiving, which allows a surfer’s ability to progress very quickly but without a solid foundation. A single fin will humble you and make you re-asses the way you surf. You can’t rush them, and you have to feel the board under your feet.

The Shoot Out is so important to Newquay’s surf culture. Tell us why you think that is?
Thats quite a tricky one. I guess it was born through a passion and the determination to do something different. It’s really developed into a grassroots community event, and people often tell us, "This is how a surf contest should be". Nick (Holden) makes most of the trophies, and we spray paint the gazebos; it’s very back yard, but Nick puts a huge amount of effort into every little detail, and it shows. There’s also beer; it’s gentleman’s rules in the water, and we only run it in waves. Newquay can be quite busy most of the time, and it’s one weekend when we can claim back a part of the coast and all come together.

The Single Fin Shoot Out will take place at Little Fistral, Newquay, 26th/27th September.

Follow the Shoot Out on Instagram @single_fin_shootout for updates.