Surfing set to make a splash in academia

Posted 27 Feb 2009

Gap year travellers can continue the sun, sea and surf lifestyle on their return to Britain thanks to a new academic course on offer in Bournemouth.

Students can earn a BTec National Certificate in Sport – equivalent to two A-levels – by signing up to the two-year full-time course to be launched at Bournemouth and Poole College in September.

The so-called Surf Academy will allow youngsters to improve their surfing technique on an artificial reef as well as brush up on sports science and competition tactics.

While critics insist a surfing qualification makes a mockery of UK higher education, organisers insist its place in academia is valid.

Surf teacher Gary Hart told the Bournemouth Echo website: "Surfing is a growing industry. Students could go on to be instructors, work in retail or go on to higher education.

"It’s not a Mickey Mouse course, it’s a proper academic qualification," he added.

Upon completing the two years, students could take their new skills all the way to Brazil. Gap year specialist i-to-i offers work experience placements at a surf school in Rio de Janeiro as well as TEFL programmes.

Category: Teaching and Learning