Meet the Team
We are proud of our coaches, all of which as well as being ISA qualified, are all excellent surfers with years of experience in the ocean. We believe this is invaluable when it comes to giving you the knowledge and confidence to take to the water!
All our coaches are ISA Qualified Level 1 or 2 and qualified RLSS beach lifeguards, offering professional coaching in a safe environment.
As well as relying on coaching certificates, Escape Surf School also provides additional coaching to all our instructors, to ensure they are all teaching at the high standards we set ourselves
Mike Young (Head Coach / Owner)
- Age: 51
- Years Surfing: 40
- Years Coaching: 27
- Most Likely to Say: How you doing?
- Nick Names: Rubber Man, Surf Guru
Originally from South Africa, but now a British citizen our Elite Coach Mike is one of the most experienced surfers and coaches in Newquay, if not the whole of the UK. As well as surfing for fun, he has made a living surfing professionally all over the world and has competed in many WQS events over the years.
After surfing and coaching around the world and in Europe, Mike moved to the UK in 2001 and set up Escape Surf School. We are one of the only schools in the area to boast a professional surfer as an active head coach. Mikes passion for surfing and sharing his knowledge is infectious and second to none and the reason he is known as our own "Surf Guru"
Professional Achievements
- UK Top 10 Pro surfer 2007 & 2008
- BSA level 4 Coach / ISA level 3 Coach
- 2015 British Masters Surf Champion
- 2016 English Masters Surf Champion
- Head Coach – British Junior Surf Team 2008 - 2010
- South African Senior Champ
- Pro Tour WQS and EPSA tour 1990-2002
- O'Neill European Pro Team Rider - Holland and Germany 2001-2003
- White Air Isle of White 2004 Men’s Open 1st
- 3 x winner Elusive Welsh Open
Reubin Pearce (Senior Surf Coach)
Reubin Pearce, originally from South Africa, but now firmly a Newquay resident, is our Senior Coach and Mike's second in command. He teaches all levels, but his passion lies in teaching our intermediate-advanced level surfers. Reubin has a real flair for imparting his vast knowledge of surfing to our customers. He's also currently training for his Personal Trainer Certificate
He's competed professionally for many years, in the UK, but also in Europe and around the world.
Professional Qualifications
- ISA LV2 - International Surfing Association Level 2 Qualification
- ASI LV3 Surf Coach - Academy of Surfing Instructors Level 3 Qualification
- Active IQ L2 Certified Fitness Instructor
- Active IQ LV3 Certified Personal Trainer (Fitness)
- NVBLQ - Qualified Beach Lifeguard
Professional Achievements
- 2008: UK Pro Surf Tour Champion
- 2009 & 2010: Animal Open Champion
- 2005: BPSA UK Tour Champion
- 2005: Isle of Wight Pro Champion
Richard "Pigeon" Phipers (Surf Coach)
The Man, The Myth, The Legend - Pidge!
Years Surfing & Coaching: Pigeon has been surfing for 31 year and coaching for most of that time. He's worked with Escape for 12 years!
Qualifications: ISA1 Surf Coach, RYA windsurfing instructor, Day Skipper, Powerboat instructor , 2004 windsurf instructor of the year.
Fave places to surf: Maldives
Best thing about surf coaching at Escape: The Swedish Netball team (one day it may happen!)
Henry Peacock (Surf Coach)
Years Surfing / Coaching: I've been surfing for 15 years & coaching for 7 years.
Qualifications: ISA Level 1. ASI LEVEL 3. SLSGB Lifeguard. Surf Science & Technology Degree
Fave places to surf: All local spots as well as Ireland, Australia and Sri Lanka
Best thing about surf coaching at Escape: Working for the best surf school in the world with the best crew
Interesting fact about me: I'm really good at getting injured in stupid ways
Simone Billington (Office Manager)
Pretty much the most important person in the Escape team. Simone manages the office with a huge smile! She picks up the phone, responds to emails, answers your questions, books your surf lessons, finds you accommodation and importantly keeps the surf coaches under control and well organised!
Simone also runs her own clothing label Amanzi: you will see her iconic crocheted hats all over the heads of Newquay. Make sure you pick one up when you see her!
Simone is a huge ocean lover, although she's not that keen on surfing (too busy we think)!
Lyndsey Young (Marketing & Other Stuff!)
Lyndsey has been part of the team since 2007, when she moved to Newquay and married Mike (who she met on a surf lesson!). Sometimes she's in the office, but does lots of things behind the scenes and just like Simone, keeps things running smoothly!
A self confessed average surfer, Lyndsey's new passion is belly-boarding - you'll see her in the ocean, unmissable wearing a bright yellow surf helmet!
A lover of nature, wine, traveling, and all the other good stuff!