Work at Blue Coast

👋 Blue Coast is all about creating a welcoming place that offers safe, fun, and memorable experiences for our customers. Have a read of our Mission, Vision, and Values to understand the type of company we are.

⭐ We aim to offer the best coastal adventure experiences in Scotland, with a focus on delivering high-quality, positive, and memorable experiences for every individual every single time.

Title

Senior Surf / SUP Instructor

Description

Blue Coast is a small surf school in Cullen that is typically run by our owner/instructor Adam with the support of various freelance instructors and casual lesson assistant staff throughout the season. We run surf lessons, kids camps, paddleboard lessons & tours, and coasteering adventures for locals, tourists, and organised groups.

Cullen is a unique & beautiful location on the Moray Firth coast. It is a peaceful town with plenty of great surf options and outdoor things to see and do in the area.

The months of July & August are the busiest part of our season and much of the work we do throughout the year is to make sure we are ready to make the best of the season while the demand is there - we make hay while the sun shines (or while it rains, as the case may be!)

Over the last year we made big steps to improve the logistical operation of the business, now operating out of 2 locations with 2 mobile trailers. In 2025, we have plans to implement a staff training programme to improve the capabilities of our lesson assistant staff.

This role is a full-time role for the months of July & August delivering beginner surf & paddleboard lessons/sessions (with options for further employment from May-September). You will work alongside Adam and our lesson assistant staff to deliver great experiences to our customers.

This is a perfect seasonal position for a responsible and motivated instructor looking to learn the ins and outs of an activity / experience business and progress their career in the outdoor industry.

Comfortable accommodation in Cullen is available if required.

When:

We offer flexible employment dates with a preference for full-time in July & August (essential), and part-time (20 hours) in either May/June or June/September.

While we have a preference for an instructor also available for part-time work in the shoulder months, we welcome applications from any suitable candidate who is available full-time in July & August.

Responsibilities:

• Delivering high-quality beginner lessons to customers
• Preparing equipment prior to lesson, and cleaning and putting away equipment after lesson
• Responsible for the functioning, tidy appearance and effective organisation of our base and mobile trailer and surrounding area
• Support photos/marketing/social media content
• Assisting with managing bookings and customers

Essential:

You hold or can obtain the following qualifications before starting:

• ISA Level 1 Surf Instructor or equivalent
• ISA Flat Water SUP Instructor, ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor or equivalent (British Canoeing etc)
• SLSGB Surf Coach Safety and Rescue (or equivalent - Beach Lifeguard etc)

If you are missing one or two of these qualifications but feel you’re otherwise a strong fit, don’t hesitate to apply! We may be able to support training or certification for the right candidate.

• A valid UK driving license & access to own vehicle
• The right to work in the UK
• You are a friendly, enthusiastic and a confident communicator
• You are professional, responsible and reliable
• You are comfortable working independently and as part of a team
• You can handle simple administration tasks and are technology literate

Desirable:

• You are interested in a career in the outdoor industry and in learning about the business / management side of the school
• Experience teaching as a surf & paddleboard instructor
• Coasteering experience or NCC Coasteer Guide qualification
• Experience managing bookings / customer service

What you get in return:

💰 We offer a full-time contract for the months of July & August and options for part-time (20 hours a week) work in the shoulder months (May-September), paid at £27,000pa pro rata.

🚀 You will also receive a dryrobe Advance for you to keep on the commencement of your contract and an end of contract monetary bonus based on Blue Coast's performance throughout the season (when Blue Coast does well, we all do!)

There is also potential for additional overtime if you are available and there is demand. This will be paid at time and a third.

🕘 A typical day will start at 9am and end at 5pm, and will see you teaching 2 two-hour lessons, starting at 10am and 2pm, either alongside another instructor / lesson assistant or solo depending on demand and numbers of participants. You will have a paid break of around a half an hour in between lessons for lunch.

🏠 Comfortable accommodation in the centre of Cullen has been arranged if required. Further information on application.

💼 Potential for an extended recurring full-time School Manager contract starting in 2026 for the full April-October season for the right candidate.

Other benefits:

• Free personal use of all equipment
• 30% discount for family / friends
• Significant discounts with trade suppliers for surf & SUP equipment and wetsuits – equipment at cost price in soonest order

To apply:

Please email hello@bluecoastcullen.co.uk with:

- Your C.V. including at least one reference
- Phone number
- Your availability (i.e July/August + May/June part-time, July/August only etc)
- A short introduction on you and why you would like to work with us at Blue Coast

The deadline for applications is 28th February 2025.

We're always hiring for freelance activity instructors. Ideally, you will be fully qualified in either surfing or paddleboarding (or both) with some teaching experience, but applications are welcomed from people not yet fully qualified who want to share their experience and positive vibes in the water.

Ideal qualifications:

• ISA or ASI Surf Instructor or equivalent
• ISA or ASI Paddleboard Instructor or equivalent (Paddle UK / Paddle Scotland etc)
• NCC Coasteer Guide
• SLSGB Surf Coach Safety and Rescue or Surf Lifeguard or equivalent first aid and water rescue qualifications

To apply:

Please email hello@bluecoastcullen.co.uk with your C.V., phone number, and short introduction on you and why you would like to work with us at Blue Coast.

We're looking for casual Lesson Assistants / Trainee Instructor to help the school run seamlessly during our season, involving:

• Assisting with lessons in and out of the water including greeting customers, helping clients in the water, and cleaning / tidying equipment
• Opportunity to surf and paddleboard during lessons and improve skills
• Training and working towards lifeguard and first aid qualifications

An ideal candidate for this role would be a local school pupil looking for a first part-time/weekend job. This role would suit a strong swimmer who is comfortable in the water. Full training will be provided. Surfing or paddleboarding experience is not essential; as long as you want to get involved, you'll soon learn!

There will be steady work from April through October, with particularly busy periods during the summer.

To apply:

Please email hello@bluecoastcullen.co.uk with your C.V., phone number, and short introduction on you and why you would like to work with us at Blue Coast.