Introducing Sally McGee, ASI L2 Surfing Instructor, Tynemouth, England UK

With a background in community support work, Sally realized that surfing offered a kind of healing that traditional support systems often couldn’t. The ocean doesn’t judge, and the act of riding waves forces you to live in the moment—free from the weight of everyday struggles. Surfing calms the mind, reconnects you with nature, and strips away life’s stresses, even just for a little while.

What is your background?

I live in Tynemouth,  a coastal town in Tyne and Wear, northeast England—with sandy beaches and a thriving surf community.

The sea has shaped my life in ways I never imagined, and I’ve built my career around it, sharing my passion by teaching others to embrace the waves.

Since 2015, I’ve been instructing surfing, and in 2018, I took the leap and founded Yonder, my own surf school.

But before stepping into surf coaching, my work looked quite different. I spent years mentoring young people in schools and leading destitution projects across Yorkshire with the British Red Cross.

My time with the Refugee Council and the British Red Cross was deeply rewarding. I worked with individuals and families seeking sanctuary in the UK—some of the most marginalized and socially excluded people in our society. The intensity of this role, supporting those facing extreme poverty and discrimination, inevitably led to burnout. That’s when surfing became my sanctuary, offering solace and renewal.

In 2016, I left my job.  My husband and I set off on an epic 16,000-mile journey from Chile to San Francisco on Honda XR150 motorcycles, with our surfboards strapped to the sides. We chased waves, camped in breathtaking locations, and embraced a lifestyle where surfing was at the heart of our daily routine.

That adventure solidified what I already knew  — surfing has always been a great way for me to take my mind away from the day to day, it's integral to everything I do but was especially so after a tough day working in a stressful role.

What got you involved in the sport? 

I've always been active and loved being in the water. Surfing to me just made sense.  In the UK we live on an island that is susceptible to rain and when you're in the sea it doesn't matter if it's raining, either way, you're still going to get wet. Surfing meant I was outside no matter what and that is important to me.

Living so close to the sea means that you develop a relationship with it and surfing introduces you to places you might never visit otherwise and puts you in situations you would never experience otherwise. I couldn't count the amazing sunrises and sunsets I've seen or explain the thrill of being in the water with huge grey seals staring at you or dolphins surrounding you.

I love the fact that you are always trying to progress, improve and you can never 'complete' surfing. The fact that it is so dependent on nature means that each experience spent in the water is totally different. 

I've surfed on the East Coast and North East, Engalnd  for nearly 20 years now, exploring our coastline and getting to know and love how it works.  

Why did you become an ASI instructor?

I became a surfing instructor as I love working outdoors and enjoy teaching people new skills.

I enjoy working with and have a wealth of experience working with people from all walks of life and would like to be able to help others to learn all about a sport and lifestyle that I love.

I would be able to teach surfing in my local village and possibly abroad.

My good friend and mentor, Steve Hudson, was an ASI Instructor and I respected him very much as a surfer. He was kind enough to hire me at his school and support me through my training so it meant a lot to me that I received the same qualification. Sadly, Steve has since passed but he was definitely an inspiration to me.

I respect ASI as an authority when it comes to surf instructor qualifications. There is a certain degree or competency that is expected through ASI and I feel proud to have qualified through their program.

I have had a great deal of support from ASI trainer Phil Sadler at Pembrokeshire Surf School, it's been great having someone that I can talk to, that I respect and that is helpful. Phil goes out of his way to support myself and Yonder.

It is important for me that I feel that I can talk to the UK office as we often feel far away from the typical surf associated world here in the North East.  ASI have always responded quickly to any queries and have helped me massively when setting up the school. 

I wanted my school to be certified through ASI as I know that they have high standards and are able to support me properly with the important aspects of running a successful surf school. 

What are you doing now ?

Operating Yonder.  Our mission is to help women become confident, independent surfers, fostering a strong and supportive community. The school provides high-quality coaching, courses, and camps, ensuring each student progresses at their own pace while building valuable ocean skills.

We run surf lessons whenever conditions are right, with regular updates sent to students. We also organizes surf camps, partnering with her husband Tom to teach surf forecasting, technique refinement, and ocean awareness to locations like Devon, Tynemouth, Scarborough, Wales, and Morocco.

We also launched Madre’ Surf Sessions, a supportive group aimed at helping mothers rediscover (or experience for the first time) the joy of surfing.

Given my background working with marginalized women and girls, I wanted to continue that work through surfing, using it as a tool to build confidence, self-esteem, and positive mental health. Surfing has an incredible way of empowering people, and I’ve seen firsthand how it can transform lives. 

At Yonder, we collaborate with a range of community groups to support those who might otherwise struggle to access the ocean.

In May 2024, I co-founded Solace Surf Club in partnership with Young Lives and Action Foundation, an initiative crowdfunded by the local community. Solace provides asylum-seeking and refugee children with a safe, trauma-informed space where they can learn life skills and experience the therapeutic benefits of the ocean. 

What do you like about being an instructor?

I love surfing and being in the outdoors.   Introducing others to the healing benefits of the ocean.    

Watching my students build confidence, overcome fears, and develop new skills is one of the most fulfilling aspects of being an instructor.

There’s nothing quite like seeing someone catch their first wave and feel that rush of excitement—it’s contagious.

At Yonder, I’ve built lasting relationships with the women who come to surf with us. Many return regularly, continuing their surf journeys, whether it’s gaining water confidence, progressing to bigger waves, or stepping into the sea for the first time. Each milestone, no matter how small, is worth celebrating.

At its core, Yonder is about positivity, support, and shared victories. We cheer each other on, celebrate progress, and inspire one another.

Surfing is more than just riding waves—it’s about positive emotions, empowerment, and connection with the ocean.

Tell us about an inspiring story about your student(s) or memorable experiences,  you've had while instructing.  

Surfing has the power to transform lives, and I’ve seen that firsthand, especially through my work with young girls from the North East refugee community.

Many of them arrive at our surf sessions exhausted, withdrawn, and struggling with the weight of their experiences. Some display challenging behaviours, which is completely understandable given the adversity they face daily. But there’s something incredible about the calming effect of the ocean—once they get in the water, I see their tension ease, their energy shift, and their expressions brighten.

By the end of our surf sessions, they engage more openly, laugh with their friends, and sometimes even fall asleep peacefully on the way home—something their youth workers often tell me is rare for them.

One moment that will always stay with me happened at a recent event. One of my students ran up to me, beaming with excitement, eager to tell me how she’d visited Tynemouth again. She said stepping onto the beach brought back a flood of emotions and memories from our surf sessions—pure happiness, freedom, and joy. She told me she couldn’t wait to get back into the sea.

It reminded me why I do this. Surfing isn’t just about catching waves—it’s about building confidence, fostering connection, and creating a space where people can heal, grow, and find joy.

 Read about Yonder website

About ASI
ASI is a global leader in training and accrediting instructors, coaches, and schools for surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and bodyboarding.  ASI instructors and schools ensure world-class training, safety and operational standards. Whether you're learning for personal enjoyment or to establish a career in the industry, ASI opens the door to new skills, global opportunities, and adventure.
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