Everybody's going surfing; A new mobile surf school which follows the waves all along the South Wales coastline is encouraging novices to try riding the waves. Beginner Claire Rees tried it out.

Byline: Claire Rees

EVER since I saw Patrick Swayze proclaim surfing was the ultimate rush in the cult film Point Break I'd been desperate to give it a go.

While South Wales may not rival Australia for a Bells Beach, our coastline boasts some of the best waves in the UK, and I can't believe I've put it off for so long.

Cressey's Surf Academy is a new mobile surf school making the most of the rise in demand for private surf lessons despite being launched in June, during the height of the recession.

Their motto is "we go where the waves are", so I receive a phone call two hours before my session saying the surf's no good at Coney Beach that morning so instead we're off in convoy to Aberavon.

Head coach Ingemar Cressey is a South African champion and qualified BSA Surf Coach, lifeguard and fitness instructor who has been surfing since he was nine and has more than 20 years experience in the water.

He describes Cressey's as an "eco surf school" and his lovely wife Claire, co-owner and "adequate" surfer (in her words) explains how they offset the carbon emissions produced from travelling around, all the while attempting to keep the impact of their lessons on the environment to a minimum.

This, she says, involves educating clients on keeping beaches clean, being members of Surfers Against Sewage, all admittedly low-level stuff.

But they are researching ways of using recycled surfboards - for which the technology currently doesn't exist.

The couple, who live in Porthcawl, say more people are flocking to South Wales to learn to surf in some of the cleanest waters, with Ingemar adding the demand for lessons in the UK is much higher than South Africa where it's a lifestyle as opposed to a growth industry which is thriving thanks to the rise of the staycation.

When we reach Aberavon Beach, 20 minutes from Coney Beach by car, it's empty save for two walkers and is a strange spot, between a new waterfront housing development and the Port Talbot steelworks.

While not exactly what you'd call picturesque, it's flying a Green Flag Award for the second year running, and we're assured it's nicknamed Aber-Heaven for the quality of its surf, away from the turf wars at Rest Bay.

Ingemar says the surf here when we visit on a Saturday afternoon is foot-high, and clean, and perfect for beginners, promising there's a 90% chance all eight of us in the group will stand up on our boards during the two-hour lesson.

He recommends one lesson, then plenty of practice and another lesson two months later, adding as long as you're able to swim at least 50 metres in open water, have good balance and a decent upper-body strength you can learn to surf.

Ingemar prefers to literally throw you in, "people get bored easily going over too much theory and they don't take it in", so the time spent on the sand was brief.

After some warm-up exercises and a run-through of how to jump your board, nose, deck and tail identified and key surfing lingo explained, we wade into the sea, boards at hips, and begin the wait for any wave decent enough to try out the theory.

I start off shakily, and feel the tiniest bit nervous I'm in control of this heavy object that could do some serious damage.

Ingemar assures me there's nothing to be scared of - he once saved a 10-year-old boy from choking on his lead after it became inexplicably caught around his neck, but broken limbs? "Not on my watch".

So twisting my board around to take the slow ripple that's approaching I surprise myself in being able to jump on, belly-first, without much trouble, then it's some fierce paddling as we all glide towards the shore in different directions like a fleet of disorganised ships.

I feel as if I'm going to whack into a Californian-looking blonde (also a beginner) and injure her with my wayward board's nose, but luckily the damage is minimal and only to myself - several times I come crashing off, hitting my own head twice and swallowing more of the Bristol Channel than I'd planned.

Ten minutes in and I'm getting really frustrated with myself (repetitions of "come on, idiot" temporarily replacing the Hawaii Five-0 soundtrack) and I'm starting to think I'll never stand up.

But once I've got used to handling the thing I start to feel that amazingly, I'm taking to it, and absolutely loving every second.

Wearing a wetsuit (also provided) for some reason brought with it a feeling of invincibility and I was determined not to give up and started to revel in being bashed around and battered by the waves and my surfboard alike.

Ingemar,whow step of the way, ods for completin - standing. will coach you patiently every had demonstrated two methng the all-important "pop-up" After landing right position an you can either pu then leap up, or movement. flat on your stomach, in the nd poised to get on your feet, ull up your knees, bottom out r do it all in one clever, twisty When the mo that much time nique. ment comes, you don't have e to think about your techcame My moment c the lesson, when about half way through n, adrenalin pumping, I leapt to my feet and I stood up, I actually stood up, for a good few seconds.

And the feeling of achievement was amazing as I zipped through the surf, my arms wobbling - comparable with the first time on a bike without stabilisers - and I never wanted to get down.

As the photographer gave me the thumbs up to show he'd caught the moment on camera, the elation was spectacular and I felt like a champion - all those pathetic PE lessons at school a distant memory.

Who cares if I was rubbish at netball, I stood up on a surfboard, way more cool!

As I looked around watching everyone waiting for the next wave, by now the surf has risen to an impressive and exciting (to us novices) two feet, there was a lovely sense of community.

And by the end, though tired, everyone had a huge smile on their face as they dragged the heavy boards up the beach.

Days after my lesson I'm still happily aching, browsing eBay for a second-hand board, and looking forward to my next trip to Aberavon. Prices start at pounds 20 for two hours for under 16s, pounds 30 for adults. For more information, visit www.cresseyssurfacademy.com or contact Ingemar Cressey on 07502 124030 or [e-mail]

CAPTION(S):

Cressey's Surf School head coach Ingemar Cressey shows his recruits what to do on the safety of the sand before sending them into the sea. Below, reporter Claire Rees shows us how it's done