Throughout my travels I’ve also been on the lookout for a job that would allow me to continue on the road and earn a bit of dollar at the same time.

I’m a photographer by trade and that’s been extremely good to me – I can literally base myself anywhere and work isn’t too hard to find. Through my photography I’ve also ventured into the journalism side of things (this blog included!) and it’s great being able to make a bit of cash for bantering about my own experiences.

However it’s still not quite the dream travel job.

I’ve had a bit of time on my hands since being back in the UK saving for my next RTW trip and I’ve decided to use it productively to increase my chances of work abroad and therefore extending my travels. As a keen surfer this was my first port of call so last week I bit the bullet and headed down to Newquay to finally realise a pipedream I’ve had for some time now.

Living the Dream

As part of an article I’m writing for Drift Surf Mag I enrolled myself on a Surf Instructor Course in conjunction with the newly formed Surf GB – the governing body which has replaced the BSA.

The aim of doing so (apart from being able to write an article for Drift) was to live my surfing dream and be able to teach surfing as part of my travels! What better way to fund my travels than to do what I love to do?!

So I headed down to sunny Newquay in Cornwall for the 3 day Level 1 combined course – which would allow me to teach freelance in the UK but more importantly included the International Surf Coach Award which would allow me to coach worldwide – potentially making anywhere with sun and surf into my office!

All Work, But Still Alot of Play

Surf coaching has a massive allure to it – but it’s not all just bumming around in the surf. I was genuinely impressed at the level of training involved. Everything from teaching techniques (something which I have little previous experience in) through to all manner of sport related info and of course a whole heap of surf related safety awareness.

For me the most nerve racking part of the 3 day course was not the written exam or the fact we were continually being assessed but the surf competency test. In fact it was the same across the board. Surfing isn’t something we do to be judged on (unless of course you’re involved in competitions) it’s something we do because we love it.

I’ve never really cared about what level my surfing was at – it was a pretty epic relief to find out that I’m deemed competent enough to pass on the stoke!

Office With a View

I’ve still got two major parts of the course to complete though. The first is a Beach Lifesaving course which The National Training centre have hooked me up with in July and the second being a supervised 30hours worth of practical teaching. Luckily the guys over at Surfing Croyde Bay are taking me on and I’m stoked to be on my way to my dream job – so if you’re down my way over summer and fancy learning to ride the waves let me know!

Hopefully I’ll land a sick surf coaching job on my rtw trip, allowing me to surf, meet heaps of new people and work my way round the coast.

So why not bite the bullet yourself, use your free time whilst saving wisely and pimp out that CV with a few extra qualifications? You don’t want to simply work in another mundane job abroad, why not use it as an excuse to chase your dream job?

Why not teach English as a foreign language?

Become a PADI dive master?

Or even join a volunteer group and do your bit to help?

If you’re interested in a career in surf coaching drop Surf GB a line – 01637 876474 or use this link …and don’t worry I’ll post a link to my Drift article once it’s online!

*Cheers to the guys at Surf GB for hooking me up and their hospitality – I look forward to working with you again in July*