, and managing director of Errant Surf (and Cornwall Business Awards’ Young Business Person of the Year 2009), Chris Thomson. Based on the success of […] "'Pin It")
WANT TO GET INTO THE SURF INDUSTRY? THEN CHECK THIS OUT!
If you want a career in the surf industry, then this could be a great opportunity for you… Cross Step is an innovative project run by The Real Ideas Organisation (RIO), and managing director of Errant Surf (and Cornwall Business Awards’ Young Business Person of the Year 2009), Chris Thomson. Based on the success of other schemes like Fifteen Cornwall, Cross Step aims to give young Cornish people a new and accessible way to improve themselves and get into jobs, courses or apprenticeships.
Cross Step is now recruiting surf hungry individuals for it’s new wave, starting in March 2010. Specially designed for young people who are not in education or employment (NEETs), the exciting four week scheme gives young people from across Cornwall the opportunity to gain new qualifications in surf coaching and lifeguarding for free. Graduates should then be ready to take up jobs in the 2010 summer surf season. With both practical and theory sessions, one-on-one training and plenty of water time, Cross Steppers will graduate with a NARS Beach Lifeguard Award and a British Surfing Association (BSA) Award, as well as work experience and further surf coach training. On top of that, the recruits have the chance to grow marketing and presentation skills, develop their CVs and build industry contacts; fully equipping them to forge bright futures in the world of water sports.
The first ever group of Cross Step graduates were put through their paces by Chris and his team at Errant during the summer 2009 season. Thomas Jarman, aged 24, Naomi Jane Webb, aged 23, both from Falmouth and Mitch Corbett, aged 22, from Newquay, graduated with qualifications that now allow them to work anywhere in the world as surf instructors and lifeguards. Naomi has gone on to secure a position at Falmouth Surf School and Thomas is keen to get into surf coaching and lifeguarding abroad. Mitch meanwhile is going on to be an ambassador for RIO, helping to spread the word about the organisation. In return RIO has agreed to sponsor him in surf contests over the next year.
Mitch Corbett told us, “I am really stoked to be going on to be an ambassador for RIO as they do such great work with young people. Because of Cross Step I now have qualifications that can help me get a job and compete in surf competitions all over the world. It’s a real bonus to have proper qualifications in something I enjoy doing.”
The next Cross Step course, which starts in March, is open to all young people across Cornwall and will take place in Newquay. The deadline to apply for the first course of the year is 15 February and to qualify you must be aged 16-25, unemployed and not in education. If you are interested in finding out more about the next round of Cross Step, get in touch at hannah.barattini@realideas.org.
For more information about Cross Step visit www.realideas.org/real/work/cross-step
