Maldives locals

By Brad Beck

Hannah and I are at the Four Seasons resort in Maldives at the moment. We’re in the process of training to become surf guides for a company called Tropicsurf.

Tropicsurf are pioneers in the art of ‘luxury surfing’. It’s for everyone who wants to improve their surfing, whilst catching plenty of waves at exotic surf locations around the world  - all in the comfort of a five-star resort or boat.

We’re busy learning what that’s all about. We get to surf cooking waves every day here, it’s always offshore somewhere and the water’s warm (and so clear you see right through it to the reef below). And wow – we get to work here! It’s crazy that this is even a job!

Being a surf guide is not just being able to surf well or thinking you just go out there and catch as many waves as you can.  You have to have a whole variety of skills.

Tropicsurf is based at 5-star resorts or charters luxury boats, so manners, grooming and social skills all come into play. Being able to communicate and socialize with your guests is important. You have to know about all aspects of surfing; coaching, psychology and be able to offer expert advice specific to each individual. Being able to surf well is important, but so is being a role model in and out the water.

It really is a full time job, with no weekends off and two surfs and a surf lesson each day. Trust me, it is work. But one thing is for sure, I don’t mind surf-guiding as a job!

It is really awesome to see the smile on the faces of guests that have just had the wave of the day or the wave of their life - and all because you put them on it. That basically what it’s all about, getting people stoked. To get someone who’s just learning on to that perfect little runner and let them feel the real joy of surfing is so rewarding.

So to all the lighties wanting to find a cool career path, being a surf guide is a good option. But keep studying and surfing hard. Hannah is a fully qualified commercial helicopter pilot with her instructors rating and I studied Sports Psychology. If it weren’t for our qualifications we wouldn’t be here. 

We hope we make a good impression whilst we’re here and get taken on permanently, as it’s such an opportunity to travel the world doing what you love.

We hope you all come visit us over here in the Maldives. For the rippers we can find you plenty of great barrels, for the ballies - we will keep your wave count up and ripping that beer belly into the lip!

Tropicsurf’s motto is a Mark Twain quote ... "Throw off the bow lines, and sail away from the safe harbour. Explore. Dream. Discover ...."

So we hope to see everyone somewhere tropical soon!