ABOUT SAFARI SURF ADVENTURES
ABOUT US
Safari Surf Adventures is an intensive, hands on coaching tutorial program dedicated to “intermediate” skill level surfers. Our surf camps take surfers to remote locations with high quality point break surf options which are optimum for enhancing one’s surf level.
There is a time in every surfer’s learning curve, when they get to a point where the need for actual “experience” in certain waves types, conditions, and situations is the only way to not only comprehend those various situations but learn how to act and react to those situations. SSA’s goal is to expedite the learning curve of these surfers through real time surf experiences with high end surf coaches on hand to guide them.
THE TRAINERS
Your Safari Surf Adventures surf camps will be led by our experienced and passionate trainers. Our trainers will guide you to level appropriate waves and employ the unique SSA training curriculum in and out of the water.
A key component of our surf camps’ teaching philosophy is video and photo reviews, helping to track your progress and giving you focussed goals to work on throughout the program. All progress tracking, photos and videos we take of you are yours to take home at the end of your SSA adventure, giving you a great reference for continued progression whenever and wherever you surf.
Serena ‘Sauce’ Brooke Trainer / Coach ~ Indonesia & AustraliaSerena is a professional surfer, surf coach, charity worker and mother based in Queensland, Australia. Serena enjoyed a 14-year competitive surf career with the World Surf League where she picked up the nickname ‘sauce’ from putting tomato sauce on almost everything she ate! Among her notable accomplishments was winning the Billabong Pro Australia title and achieving a temporary #1 overall ranking in 2001. Serena has finished with #2 ranking twice on the World Championship Tour. Serena has watched the sport grow exponentially as a key part of the evolution of women’s surfing and will remain an icon of the sport indefinitely. Besides Serena’s passion for surfing she enjoys fitness, snowboarding, coaching and family time, being one of 6 sisters! Serena’s curious nature has fostered a great love of travelling to new places and experiencing new things, particularly high energy locations where she can learn more about herself and evolve on her spiritual journey. Philosophically, Serena prefers not to conform to the socially conditioned rollercoaster of modern life, nor buy into society’s fear based perceptions. As an individual, she strives to do what makes her happy – without fear or guilt, while embracing love and respect for herself and others. Serena’s favourite animals are rabbits – which also happen to be her Chinese sign.
- Alonso Aragon Trainer / Coach ~ Costa Rica / Nicaragua
Alonso has been surfing for well over 20+ years and has been working with Safari Surf School as an instructor for over 12 years. Alonso is the “style master”… his style on land translates to the ocean and to his surfboard. A polished surfer with style… that’s what he is and we all want to be. He is an ISA (International Surfing Association) Level 2 Surf Coach as well as a certified Water Rescue / Lifeguard.
Alonso embodies the “pura vida” spirit as he is native of Costa Rica. His smile and booming laugh are unmistakable. His love for the ocean and passion for surf instruction is second to none. You will want Alonso in the water with you at all times… either instructing you or making you laugh with his witty sense of humor!
- Helberth Ruiz Trainer / Coach ~ Costa Rica / Nicaragua
Helberth is the quite assassin! He’s a red-hot surfer, family man, and quintessential surf instructor. Helberth is not an overly loud person, but don’t let that fool you… he is an amazing surf instructor with a sincere passion to instruct. He’s been with Safari Surf School for well over 10 years and counting.
He loves what he does and it shows. To help guests get that perfect ride or to help a guest work out issues in their techniques… it just makes him smile from ear to ear. He doesn’t have to say much to know he’s a happy human being and he loves teaching.
- Miguel Fortess TRAINER / COACH ~ Portugal
Miguel Fortes is one of the best surfers in Ericeira, and knows better than anyone the barrels of Coxos. With a perfecf technique, Miguel is one of the surfers with the most beautiful style and surf line of Ericeira. Respected surfer, Billabong rider, recognized Surf instructor and coach surfer by the Portuguese Surfing Federation.
- Javier Larco TRAINER / COACH ~ Peru
My name is Javier Larco and I am born and raised in Huanchaco / Trujillo / Peru. The birthplace of (Peruvian – or any?) surfing.
I teach surfing since more than 16 years – for example as a coach of the junior national team from 2016–2018. Always I update my training curriculum and improve my teaching level in order of being able to transmit my own surfing experiences to my clients. Being a Surf Coach is about being patient and to be understood, be prepared and able to teach with the best training techniques and safety in the ocean possible. My vision to coach is about respect for everyone and the ocean so unpredictable, to get the best performance in surfing for my students.
- Nico Almeida TRAINER / COACH ~ Panama
Nico has been surfing for 15+ years and worked in the hospitality and surf tourism industry for over 11 years. Working and Surfing in the best surfing spots around the world. Places like Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Australia, and Panama. His calmness in the water translates to his students and keeps them comfortable and having a good time surfing.
Nico has a great knowledge of different surf breaks and reading the best waves for different surfers. Being able to surf all around the world and with all different types of surfers has given Nico a well-rounded surf style. His attention to detail and love of surfing gives students a renewed outlook on surfing and keeps everyone stoked in the water.
MISSION STATEMENT
Our coaching program is aimed at the intermediate level surfer. To us, ‘intermediate’ level means; a solid general grasp of your equipment, relatively strong paddling skills, enough wave knowledge to put yourself in position to and actually catch an open faced wave, basic bottom and top turns are easy for this surfer to achieve.
We run performance camps to relatively remote locations with world class surf ~ focussing on point breaks – rock, reef, sand. We aim to help our clients experience real surf progression under the watchful eyes and tutelage of our high end surf coaches (ISA — International Surf Association — Level 2 or equivalent & Lifeguard as well as first aid). We also ensure our clients quality, established accommodation at ever location allowing guests to relax and enjoy their vacation and surroundings.
ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY
The ocean is our playground. As surfers, we are exposed to the frontline between a diverse, clean and thriving aquatic world, and the increasing impact that our species is having on the environmental balance.
The last few decades alone have seen huge increases in marine pollution, floating marine plastics and a correlated decrease in biodiversity and healthy marine life. Safari Surf Adventures was founded with an absolute commitment to being part of the solution as opposed to being part of the problem.
THE TEAM
- Tim Marsh Co-founder
United StatesTim grew up on the South shore of the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Started surfing when he was 9 years old and started to surf competitively when he was in his early teens. It a mecca for the surf world, and for Tim, it was his back yard growing up. Needless to say over the years surfing both the North and South shores of the island, Tim’s wave knowledge and waterman skills developed significantly during this period of his life. After high school Tim moved to California and continued his competitive surfing in amateur events and eventually is some pro events on the Bud Pro Tour at the time.
In 1995 Tim landed in Costa Rica and immediately fell in love with everything about it. In 1999 he started his own surf school called Safari Surf School in Costa Rica. Since that day he and his staff have been teaching the art or waves riding to well over 20,000 guests and continue to this day.
Now Tim and his partners developed the Safari Surf Adventures program to help surfers continue their surf skill development while traveling the globe surfing the best waves. The journey continues!
- Dirk Teckenburg Co-founder
GermanyDirk braved Northern Europen waters as a windsurfer in his early days and gradually moved into Surfing. He has worked in the Sports and Surf Industry for many years due to his love and passion for the Oceans, nature and an active yet sustainable lifestyle. In previous years he has been responsible for the sales & marketing operations of a famous brand and has lived in various locations in Europe and Asia. Dirk is primarily looking after our Marketing and Business Development as well as the European side of Safari Surf Adventures.
- Jeremy Johnson Co-founder
United KingdomJeremy, our British Earth Scientist, joined Safari Surf Adventures after 7 years working across Europe and Africa as a business development project manager in and Geologist for some of the biggest Energy companies in the world. Jeremy’s major passions have always been adventure sports and travel, bringing a wealth of different experience to the team. Jeremy will be focused on ensuring the environmental sustainability and community outreach of SSA as well as pioneering SSA’s Surf Science workshop program.
TESTIMONIALS
"Andrew and I are so grateful we had the opportunity to experience Rote with SSA. I thought the accommodation was amazing. The SSA coach's professionalism, organizational skills, surfing ability, creative and therapeutic yoga skills and local knowledge was what made our surf trip so successful." ROTE ISLAND, INDONESIA ~ 2017
"The trip was super great. The adventure I had hoped for. I went in with no expectations so everything was a delightful surprise. The staff are exceptional in every way. I loved the SSA coach so much! Our pro mentor was fun to be around and inspirational." ROTE ISLAND, INDONESIA ~ 2017
"SSA's help with flights and logistics was great. Overall it was one of the best surf trips I have done the people and the place were amazing." ROTE ISLAND, INDONESIA ~ 2017
"The coaches were truly excellent, as was the hotel and the hotel staff. The coaches truly helped me to understand wave selection and direction better than I had ever before. I am very happy that you put this trip together and that I went with you. I was considering taking the trip on my own, but believe I could not have overcome the language barrier nor understood the wave nearly as well on my own." CHICAMA, PERU ~ 2017
"It was a really great week – the organisation was great, the small size of the group worked really well, the surf instruction was really helpful and very tailored to each of our needs and the resort was comfortable, laid back and very enjoyable. I had a great week and would definitely consider going on another SSA adventure (and have already started looking!)." CHICAMA, PERU ~ 2019
"Dirk and gang. Thanks for sending the pictures and videos. It made me very "homesick" for our time in Chicama. We had a great time and what made it extra special was getting to know each of you and spending quality time together. Hope to see all of you sometime soon." CHICAMA, PERU ~ 2019
Indeed it was a brilliant surfing and human experience! It has been hard to shake the memories and return to the much less thrilling everyday… Thanks so much to you Dirk for a seamless organisation, Dani, for yoga and support in and outside the water, and Javier for top notch surfing instructions. And for everyone for the camaraderie and the fun! PERU, CHICAMA ~ 2019
