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About us

Blue Coast Surf & Paddle is based in Cullen Bay, on the Moray Firth coast in the North East of Scotland, specialising in surf lessons, stand up paddleboard (SUP) lessons and tours, and coasteering adventures.

Lesson locations include Cullen and Sandend, stunning sand beaches with clean water and ideal waves for beginning and improving surfers. The north-facing bays consistently provide mellow green waves and long rolling whitewater which are ideal surf conditions for practicing and improving your skills.

The local harbours at Portknockie and Cullen provide calm, smooth conditions, perfect for your first time stand up paddleboarding. After an introduction on flat water, there are a variety of interesting local routes to explore, from Bow Fiddle Rock to Findlater Castle, seen from a unique perspective on the water. It's not uncommon to encounter curious seals and bottlenose dolphins whilst SUP touring, an unforgettable experience.

Portknockie offers a world-class venue for coasteering, an adventurous experience immersed in the changing marine environment as we swim, climb, and jump in along our route to the iconic Bow Fiddle Rock.

Thanks to the Moray Firth micro-climate, we are lucky enough to experience a warmer, drier and sunnier climate than the majority of Scotland. Our cosy wetsuits keep us warm year-round regardless, even when the weather turns more typically Scottish, and there will always be a local whisky (or a comforting bowl of Cullen Skink) to be found if you need to warm the heart after a dook in the North Sea.

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Collage of photos of Blue Coast - beach location, happy staff, group of surfers
The Blue Coast staff team at Cullen Beach

Meet the team

All of our team are experienced and highly-trained water people; fully qualified as instructors and lifeguards, insured and disclosure checked. The surf school is accredited by the Scottish Surfing Federation (Surfing) and licensed by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (Coasteering & Paddleboarding).

We aim to provide a responsible surf & SUP school where you feel welcome, a place where you have safe & positive experiences, learn, progress, and have fun.

Adam
Owner & Instructor

Adam set up Blue Coast in 2022 after several years of teaching surfing & paddleboarding in the Canary Islands and at home in Scotland. He is an ISA Level 1 Surf Instructor and Level 2 Surf Coach, ISA Adaptive Surf Coach, SLSGB Surf Lifeguard, ASI Level 2 Stand Up Paddle Instructor and an NCC Coasteer Guide. He wants you to have fun while learning in a safe environment, and leave feeling good!

Kimberley
SUP Yoga Teacher

Kimberley is a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher based locally - she teaches weekly yoga classes in Buckie and monthly classes in Cullen, as well as partnering with Blue Coast to teach Paddleboard Yoga. She loves the sea and paddleboarding, and can't wait to get her kids learning to surf!

EmmieJo
Beach Hand

Meet EmmieJo at the school helping with lessons and snapping photos! She loves being outdoors and around the water and is also a keen horse rider. Aside from being super helpful at the beach, she is also working hard towards achieving her goal of becoming a paramedic after she finishes school.

Maisie
SUP Instructor

Maisie comes from Perth in Western Australia and now happily calls northeast Scotland her home. She is an ASI Level 1 Stand Up Paddle Instructor and a primary school teacher in training. She loves the natural environment and wildlife of our coastline and looks forward to sharing it with you.

Isla
Lesson Assistant

Isla loves the bigger coasteering jumps and wilder conditions! She is a great help during our larger group lessons and coasteering adventures, and is also working hard as a pool lifeguard and towards her career as a Paramedic. She somehow also finds time to be a competitive swimmer across Scotland!

Ali
Sea Kayaking Guide

Ali is our local sea kayaking guide, partnering with Blue Coast to deliver guided sea kayaking day trips around our coastline. He set up his business after a 28 year long career in Police Scotland, retiring as a Chief Inspector responsible for the Paddlewell wellbeing program. We are excited to partner with Ali and offer more activities to our visitors!

Bear
Beach Manager

Bear loves to chill on the beach and watch the surf. He talks a lot about the big waves he used to surf when he was younger but we've never actually seen him paddle out.. Maybe one day he'll show us his skills when he isn't being kidnapped by children!

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I opened Blue Coast in April 2022, after returning home to Moray from several years teaching surfing and paddleboarding in the Canary Islands.

Before that I had a six-year career in the Police in Aberdeen, from which I learned a lot! One of the Queen Street CCTV cameras was able to swivel round and point at the sea so you could check the surf (but don't tell anyone).

I'll be thrilled to welcome you at Blue Coast and share the stoke with you in the water. I hope you'll get as much out of it as I do!
Instructor talking to student with Blue Coast Surf & Paddle van in the background
Drone photo of Cullen beach with waves as surf lesson takes place at Blue Coast
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Our mission, vision, and values

We will

Blue Coast’s mission is to help people feel good by providing safe, positive experiences in the sea that encourage lasting benefits beyond the beach.

We envision

A community around the sea and surf in the North East of Scotland.

A hub for creativity and the promotion of physical and mental health.

A place where people can find respite from the stresses and frictions of everyday life, and be inspired by our beautiful coastline.

We value

Humility

Being down-to-earth and genuine.

Attention to detail

We take pride in our work.

Health

Physical, mental, and environmental.

Entrepreneurial spirit

Passion & ambition, hard work, and initiative.

Community

Supporting others; building a better future.

Connection

Social connection, and connection with nature.

At ease.
A state of flow.
Frictionless.
Breathe easy.
No paddle no surf.
Beyond the beach.
Everything else falls away.
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