Improver Weekend
Shape Your Surfing
A Weekend Course To Progress Your Surfing and Learn About Surfboards
Know Your Board And Surf It Better!
A Weekend Of Surf Coaching And Hand Made Surfboard Expertise In Newquay, Cornwall.
A two day course for improver surfers, designed to enchance your surf skills by combining excellent coaching, with in depth knowledge of surfboards and how they interact with the ocean.
A one of its kind, completely unique course open for all to join - we will be collaborating with Max, surf coach turned shaper from Hand Laid Eggs.
With mixed female and male coaches and participants, over the weekend we will spend time understanding how surfboards are made and the features that affect your surfing progression.
Open To All Genders, Improve Your Surfing
And Surf The Right Board!
This Isn’t Your Average Surf Weekend...
Most surf coaching focuses entirely on what your body is doing in the water. This course adds the other half of the equation — what your board is doing, why it does it, and how choosing and understanding the right equipment can open up the next stage of your surfing.
Over the weekend, Gather & Glide's coaching expertise meets Max's shaping knowledge to give you a complete picture of your surfing — from the raw material the board was shaped from, to the wave you're riding it on.
What's Included
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3 x Surf sessions
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Expert coaching
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On land theory
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Video analysis
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In water feedback
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1:1 Goal setting
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Surfboard factory tour
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Surf safety
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Surf etiquette
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Paddle techniques
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How to paddle out
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Catching & timing green waves
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Riding across the face
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Technique breakdowns
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In depth equipment chat
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Video & photo package
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Demo boards
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£50 Discount on Hand Laid Egg's boards
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Gather & Glide goody bag
& More!
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2 Day Course
An immersive weekend built for improver surfers ready to progress faster!
Using video coaching and on land theory, we’ll break down your surfing and set clear individual goals.
Alongside expert guidance from Gather & Glide Surf Academy, you’ll also receive surfboard insight from Max of Hand Laid Eggs, who is also an excellent coach.
We Are Mobile
We go where the best waves are. That means you’ll always train in the most suitable conditions - and with Allannah's inside knowledge of the Cornish coastline, we are always bound to find a rideable wave.
For you, that means better coaching outcomes. We can adapt to tides, swell direction, wind, and crowd levels to find the right environment for progression.
Small Groups
We limit our courses to just 8 participants so every surfer gets the attention, feedback, and coaching they need to genuinely progress.
Surfing improves fastest when coaching is personal — not lost in a crowd.
Most importantly, it creates a supportive, friendly environment where we all cheer each other on, whether you're working on your turning onto the open face or refining more advanced manoeuvres.
Here’s What We’ve Got Planned For You!
The Board Chat — An In-Depth Look At Surfboard Design
The weekend will begin with Max and Allannah leading an in-depth session covering surfboard types, from mini-mals and mid-lengths through to shortboards, eggs, twins and longboards. We'll cover what makes each shape different, how design features like rocker, rail shape, fin setup and volume affect the way a board surfs.
Surf Coaching In And Out Of The Water + Video Analysis
With multiple surf coaches on hand, this course is suitable for a range of levels, starting from those turning in the white water, up to more advanced surfers that will benefit from video feedback.
Starting on the land where we have time to think about body position and technique, then making our way into the water to put it into practice. The best way to relate what you are feeling with what is happening on the water, video coaching is a great tool when things are moving a little too fast for you to break it down yourself.
For those after more guidance in wave positioning, there will always be an excellent ratio with one or possibly two surf coaches in the water at all times, depending on participant numbers.
Workshop Tour — See How Boards Are Hand Made In Cornwall
Timed for when the waves aren’t working or your arms are noodles! We will head to the workshop to do something most surfers never get to experience: an interactive tour of a surfboard making workshop in Cornwall. Get hands on and see the tools, raw materials, the finished shapes — and start to understand what actually goes into the board under your feet. Max will walk you through the process from start to finish, demystifying what most surfers only ever see as a finished product.
On Land Theory
Video Analysis
1:1 Goal Setting
Progression With No Pressure
Meet The Team
Allannah from Gather & Glide Surf Academy and Max from Hand Laid Eggs have been close friends for years, connected through a shared passion for helping surfers progress in the right way.
Over the years, they’ve naturally collaborated, with G&G students riding Hand Laid Eggs boards and many surfers turning to Max for custom boards that match their progression goals.
Now, they’re bringing their expertise together for one unique improver weekend.
Allannah and her experienced coaching team will lead the technical side of the weekend through in-water coaching, video feedback and progression-focused drills designed to help you surf with more confidence and consistency.
Alongside this, Max will share his expert knowledge on surfboard design, helping you better understand equipment, choose the right board for your level, as well as combining this with his experience working as a coach for many years.
A weekend built to help you progress faster, with expert guidance both in the water and under your feet!
Max - Hand Laid Eggs Founder
Originally from landlocked Herefordshire, Max spent weekends and summers surfing the Gower, Wales until he was old enough to escape the shire. Choosing to bounce between seasons coaching windsurfing, snowboarding and skiing before moving to Cornwall and returning to surfing seven years ago.
Continuing to coach surfing alongside, Max turned his eye to designing surfboards predominantly for improver and intermediate surfers, after seeing his friends and new customers struggle with their current, outdated surfboards. From here Hand Laid Eggs was hatched, bringing with it a fresh and friendly face who understands the modern UK surfer.
Check them out!
Allannah - G&G Founder / Course Leader
Born and raised in Newquay, Allannah has spent 18 years coaching surfers around the world, including Indonesia, Mexico, India, and South Africa to name a few!
Her coaching blends structured, supportive progression with a calm presence in the water and infectious energy that keeps sessions light, fun, and highly motivating!
She creates an environment where surfers feel comfortable, confident, and ready to push their surfing forward.
She has competed on the UK pro tour in both longboard and shortboard divisions, earned multiple sponsorships and spent years surfing world-class waves, bringing all of that experience straight into her coaching.
Course Requirements
To get the most out of this Improver Weekend, we recommend you’re already comfortable surfing unbroken (green) waves most of the time.
This ensures you can fully benefit from the coaching, drills, and in-water feedback throughout the weekend.
If you’re unsure whether this is the right level for you, take a look at our Surf Progression Courses or just drop us a message — we’re happy to help you find the best fit.
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Have previous surf experience or have attended a previous course
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Can catch unbroken (green) waves most of the time
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Learning to ride / already riding along the face of the wave
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Can surf comfortably in 2ft+ conditions
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Consistent pop-up
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Can paddle out to the back / working on it
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Basic board control and safety awareness
Is This For You?
Open to all surfers of any gender, board type and ability level from improver upwards.
Whether you're an improver trying to understand why your board feels the way it does, an intermediate surfer curious about sizing down or switching shapes, or a more experienced surfer who wants to geek out on the design behind what you're riding.
You don't need to be shopping for a board to benefit, just curious about equipment and wanting to benefit from a range of different coaching styles.
Priority will be spent on time in the water, making the most out of the best surf and scheduling board talks in between.
“Absolutely love my new board. It’s clearly shaped by someone who knows their stuff—not just a shaper, but a real coach. The communication throughout the process was great. It took me a little while to get used to the transition from soft top to hard top, but now I’d never go back. Best decision I’ve made. It rides like a dream and catches waves so easily. Thanks again!”
- Eugenie W
“Going on the Improver’s Course was the best experience I’ve ever had surfing. Allannah is a true expert and their teaching style is both supportive and fun. Recommend this above any other surf school in Cornwall (and beyond)”
- Bea S