AIR – ASI Instructor Retreat UK - Cornwall England

SCHEDULE

Saturday 14 November 2026 – AIR Retreat
9am to 1.30pm: Guest speakers
1.30pm to 5pm: Activities: SUP, Surf, Bodyboarding
6.00pm: Meet for drinks.
7.00pm: Guest speaker and dinner.
10.00pm: Finish

Venue: The morning and evening sessions will be held at:
The Old Quay House
Griggs Quay, Lower Lelant, Hayle, Cornwall, TR27 6JG
www.quayhousehayle.co.uk

The Old Quay House in Hayle is a welcoming waterside inn set directly on the edge of the Hayle Estuary Nature Reserve.    Just one mile (1.6 km) from Hayle town—an easy 20-minute walk—it offers a peaceful retreat with sweeping views and abundant birdlife.

The ASI Office is at the Old Foundry, 3-5 Foundry Lane, Cornwall.  About 20 mins walk to the Old Quay House, and a few minutes walk to drinks meet up

Optional
Friday 13 November 2026– Optional Informal Meet Up for Drinks
For those arriving early.
Venue TBA

More speakers TBA

EVENING SPEAKER

Topic: Aquatic Physical Literacy: Building Safer, More Confident Participation in Water Environments

Speaker:  Dora M Carolo

Dora Carolo will be presenting her research on how physical literacy can be applied to watersports to build safer, more confident participants.

Physical literacy helps people become capable and motivated to be active throughout their lives. While aquatic learning has traditionally focused on swimming, watersports offer far greater opportunities to develop these skills. Yet water is dynamic and unpredictable, and many people still feel unsure or unsafe.

The research highlights the need for high‑quality teaching, strong instructor training, and well‑designed programs - by building technical ability, water‑specific knowledge, environmental understanding and confident interaction in shared aquatic spaces.

Instructors are therefore central to developing aquatic physical literacy. By strengthening aquatic physical literacy, instructors can turn hesitation into confidence and help every student experience water environments with greater safety and enjoy staying active.

About Dora M. Carolo
Dora is a researcher at the University of Lisbon’s Faculty of Human Kinetics, working within the Centro de Estudos em Educação and UIDEF at the Institute of Education. She contributes to international aquatic safety and drowning‑prevention research through Surfing Medicine International, the International Drowning Researchers’ Alliance, and collaborates with the EPIUnit ITR at the University of Porto.
She holds postgraduate qualifications in Surf and Performance, a Master’s in Physical Education Teaching, and multiple sports‑instruction certifications. As an ASI Trainer, Dora equips surfing instructors with rescue, first aid and water‑safety skills, strengthening professional standards across the surf industry.

Read Full research article: Integrating Physical Literacy Into Blue Physical Activity Promotion, Drowning Prevention and Aquatic Education

MORNING SPEAKERS

Topic: Building Strong Watersports Communities: Coaching, Culture & Connection

Speaker: Philip Sadler

UK Pembrokeshire based, Phil Sadler, draws on 30+ years in surfing and adventure sports to talk about how instructors can build a thriving watersports community.

Strong communities don’t appear on their own — they grow from intentional coaching, shared values and early investment in young people. The confidence, connection and culture shaped in those first lessons influence the future of every school, club and performance pathway.

Phil offers field tested insights on community centred coaching, instructor development and respect for nature, showing how these foundations strengthen participation at every level, from beginners to club members to elite competitors.

Gain tips to elevate your impact across your students, your school and your wider watersports community.

About Phil Sadler
Phil is an elite advanced surfer, educator and ASI Instructor Trainer with over 30 years in surfing and adventure sports. He holds the ASI Level 4 Master Surfing Coach, a Bachelor of Sport Science (Adventure Sports), and is a lifeguard trainer/assessor.
A full time coach since 2001, Phil has taught surfers from beginners to contest athletes and is currently Head Coach of the Welsh Junior Surfing Team, developing young surfers into national level competitors. He also founded and runs Pembrokeshire Surf School and club, in Wales UK, an ASI accredited school and Instructor Training Centre, and trains ASI instructors across the UK and Europe.

Topic: Wild Water, Real Action: How Watersports Instructors Can Help Protect the Oceans They Love

Speaker:  Clare Osborn

Clare Osborn of Surfers Against Sewage shares how watersports instructors are on the front line of ocean protection whether they know it or not. From the I Am Not A Bather campaign and our fight to protect wild swimming and paddling waters, to paddle-out protests and community-led activism, this session brings you into the heart of what SAS does and why it matters to every instructor in the room.

But this isn't just about the big campaigns. It's about the small, powerful moments… when an instructor helps a student fall in love with the water, and that love becomes the reason they want to protect it.

Clare will share practical, inspiring ways that instructors can get involved personally and with their students, and why your voice and your community matter more than ever right now. Expect honesty, a few things that might make you angry, and a lot of reasons to feel hopeful.

About Clare Osborn
Clare is Senior Communities Officer at Surfers Against Sewage, where she manages a 200-strong national volunteer network and leads community mobilisation around ocean and water protection. She is an ASI paddleboard instructor, Blue Health Coach, nature facilitator and contributing author to Adventures on the Water: The Power of Paddleboarding to Change Lives by Jo Moseley. She has led paddle cleanup expeditions, created a paddle cleanup toolkit adopted by Paddle UK, and is currently training for a sea kayak expedition in Greenland. She brings energy, warmth and a healthy dose of daring to everything she does on and off the water.
Surfers Against Sewerage  

Topic: Adventure with Purpose: Creating Safe & Memorable SUP & Surf Holidays

Speaker: Paul Byrne

Join Paul Byrne for a practical and engaging discussion on creating surf and SUP holidays, for your students, that blend adventure, education, and community. Whether you're planning a weekend escape or a multi-day international trip, this session explores what makes a travel experience truly memorable.

Paul will share examples from past experiences—from the right mix of activities, skills instruction, and downtime to the importance of safety, logistics, local knowledge, and those unexpected moments that make it all worthwhile.

Perfect for instructors and school owners looking to expand their offerings and take their community beyond the local break.

About Paul Byrne
Paul is an ASI Master SUP Trainer from Dublin, Ireland with over 20 years of coaching, racing and surf experience. A qualified physical education teacher and founder of IRISHSUP, he has coached thousands of paddlers, represented Ireland at multiple World Championships and served as Irish Team Manager.
He trains ASI SUP instructors across Ireland and Europe and leads SUP travel holidays that give students real world experience in varied conditions. With a background spanning SUP, surfing, lifeguarding, scuba and international event direction, Paul brings instructors a clear, practical approach to safe, skilled and enjoyable SUP progression.

Optional: Activities available on the Saturday afternoon include:

TBA

The Old Quay House
Griggs Quay, Lower Lelant, Hayle, Cornwall, TR27 6JG
www.quayhousehayle.co.uk
Special accommodation price of GBP 130 per night.

Other Accommodation Options

Hayle
If the Old Quay House is booked out, next option is:
White Hart Hotel, Foundry Square  TR27 4HQ website 
In town only 25 mins walk/ 4 min drive (1.6 miles) to AIR venue (2 mins wals to the Salt Bar)

At other end of town, about 45 mins walk/ 7 min drive (3.4 miles) to AIR venue.
Travelodge, Hayle R27 5DG   website
Premier Inn, Hayle TR27 5DG  website

Gwithian
10 mins drive away (4.6 miles)
Gwithian Holiday Apartments, Gwithian TR27 5BW  website
Red River Inn, Gwithian  TR27 5BW   website

Camping & Cabins
(10-20 mins drive from Hayle)

Hellesveor Holidays Caravan & Camping - TR26 3AD Camping & Cabins website
Polmanter Caravan & Camping - TR26 3LX website
Ayr Holiday Park - TR26 1EJ  Camping & Cabins website

CLOSEST AIRPORTS

Excellent value budget airlines fly to Newquay, an international airport.

Newquay:  Approx. 38 miles, 40 minute drive to training venue

Exeter Airport:   109 miles.  Approx.  1.5 hrs drive 

Bristol Airport:  180 miles.  Approx 2 hrs drive

London Heathrow Airport:   260 miles.  Approx. 4.5 hours drive
You can book a train direct from Heathrow to Hayle. Approx. 5.5 hrs (all one ticket bus to Reading, then train).

Taxi's and car rentals available at airports.

CLOSEST TRAIN STATION: 

Hayle Railway Station.  Right in town.  30 minute walk to AIR venue at The Old Quay House.
There is a direct train from London Paddington or Reading to Hayle.  Approx 5hrs. 

CLOSEST BUS STATION:  

Foundry Square, Hayle. Right in town. 

Hayle is a charming port town in west Cornwall, England, nestled at the mouth of the Hayle River where it flows into the stunning St Ives Bay. It’s a place where golden beaches, rich industrial heritage, and thriving wildlife come together in one coastal package.

Beaches & Coastline

Hayle boasts a three-mile stretch of golden sand, starting from the estuary and running north through Hayle Towans, Gwithian Towans, and Godrevy Beach.   

These beaches are ideal for surfing, paddleboarding, and long scenic walks.

The dunes behind the beaches are a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to rare orchids and wildlife like adders.

Nature & Wildlife

The Hayle Estuary is an internationally recognized bird-watching site and an RSPB Nature Reserve, attracting migratory birds such as curlews, oystercatchers, and teals. Godrevy Point is also known for its seal colonies and dramatic coastal views.

History & Heritage

Hayle’s industrial past is anchored in its role during Cornwall’s mining boom. The Harvey’s Foundry, established in the 18th century, was a major producer of steam engines exported worldwide. The Hayle Heritage Centre and Hayle Viaduct are key landmarks that reflect this legacy.

Shopping & Dining
The town offers a mix of independent shops, cafes, and larger retailers like ASDA and Marks & Spencer.

Surfing  

Gwithian is one of Cornwall’s premier surf destinations.  Only 10 mins drive from Hayle.  It is a relatively exposed beach break that works year round, with left and right hand waves. Best surf is west-northwest swells and offshore winds from the east-southeast, producing clean, surfable waves—especially in winter, with February offering the most consistent conditions.    

The beach is approximately 4 miles long, with white sands, and plenty of space, even on busy days.  It is surrounded by sand dunes and rock pools. It’s part of the St Ives Bay Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering a stunning backdrop for your surf session.

Gwithian Academy of Surfing, an ASI Accredited surf schools, is located at Gwithian Beach, minutes walk to beach.  With onsite changing facilities, rentals and a well stock surf school.  Next to the surf school is Sunset Surf Café,  a laid-back spot with water views and classic British fare.

Stand Up Paddling

Stand up paddling around Hayle can be conducted inland on the Hayle River or along the coast.  A favourite launch point is at Carbis Bay, where you can rent boards from Ocean Sports Centre UK.  Carbis Bay is a sheltered, scenic location, ideal to learn or explore the bay itself.   If you are more experienced, you can explore the other local bays along the coast including the nearby St Ives Bay.  Whether you're a beginner or seasoned paddler, the area offers a variety of SUP experiences that showcase Cornwall’s natural beauty.

Other Local Attractions

Godrevy Beach & National Trust Godrevy: Just north of Hayle, this beach is a surfer’s paradise with dramatic cliffs, coastal trails, and views of the iconic Godrevy Lighthouse. It’s part of a National Trust site with rich wildlife and stunning scenery.

Land’s End: A bit further afield but well worth the trip—Cornwall’s iconic westernmost point with dramatic cliffs, exhibitions, and the famous signpost.

Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens: Near Penzance, this garden blends contemporary art with exotic plants and panoramic views of Mount’s Bay. It’s a serene and inspiring spot.

St Ives: Just a short distance from Hayle, is a vibrant coastal town famed for its golden beaches, thriving art scene, and charming harbour. Visitors can explore world-class galleries like Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden, stroll through cobbled lanes filled with boutiques and cafés, or relax on scenic beaches such as Porthmeor or enjoy breathtaking coastal walks.

The coastal walk from Gwithian to St Ives:  is a breathtaking stretch along the South West Coast Path, offering around 15.9 km of varied terrain, sweeping sea views, and rich natural and historical interest.
Start at Gwithian Beach, crossing the sand dunes of Upton Towans, a wildlife haven with rare butterflies and WW2 pillboxes.
Continue past Godrevy Point, with dramatic cliffs and views of the lighthouse.
Walk along the Hayle Estuary, a prime birdwatching spot
Then follow the coast past Porth Kidney Sands, Carbis Bay, and Porthminster Beach before reaching St Ives Harbour.

Surf photos: Gwithian Academy of Surfing

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