We’ve managed to build up a fantastic reputation out in Sri Lanka for running the best surf coaching courses in the business and whilst the comprehensive course can take some of the credit, it’s the team teaching that are really owed their dues.
So here’s an insight into the magical crew involved in making you a better surfer.
The Champ takes a fourth National title in a row in Sri Lanka
Nikita Robb “The Champ”
Nikita is a Co-Director & General Manager of the Surf House, she also helped develop and is the head of the popular surf courses.
Nikita spent a large part of her youth competing professionally, winning numerous National titles in South Africa, several international competitions including the career defining US Junior Open and the Rip Curl Grom search, then made it onto the prestigious WSL World Tour in 2010.
She has been coached at the highest level and has been coaching for Ticket to Ride for over ten years now. The passion Nikita puts into her role is felt by everyone that comes through the door. With Nikita at the helm of the Surf Course we can actually guarantee you will become a better surfer whether you sign up for a week or ten!
The best coaching out there. Best time in Sri Lanka. Spent a month with TTR, couldnt have asked for better coaches and the whole team. Not in my wildest dreams I couldbe imagine the progress, they really know their stuff.
Sophia, March 2023
David & Nikita Dream Team
David ‘Pof’ Solomon – Senior Surf Coach
David is senior surf coach at the Ticket to Ride Surf House, working closely with Nikita to ensure that the standards of coaching are at the highest level.
Possibly being the most energetic person we’ve ever worked with, David’s passion for coaching and leading customers on epic adventures through Sri Lanka as his role as Trip Leader, is infectious and hasn’t showed any signs of slowing down since he started working for Ticket to Ride in 2016.
As opposed to taking some downtime in the ‘s’low season months, David jumps straight on a flight to Indonesia where he takes our guests on epic tours scoring the waves of their lives for four months, before jumping straight back into the Sri Lankan season. He also absolutely rips and whether he’s punting air reverses in little beach breaks, or scoring heavy barrels, he’s the first one in there and the last out.
Anna full of 6am smiles!
Anna Wotton – Surf Coach
Anna is a classic TTR success story going from customer to full time employee at the Surf House pretty much upon completion of the ten week Surf Academy in 2021. She also joined David helping to run the tours through Indonesia.
Anna takes her role as a surf coach seriously, she’ll be there brewing the coffee for guests at 5:45am, spend hours in the water encouraging customers to push themselves to their edge and will be chatting the days waves away with the groups over a cold one until the bar closes, all whilst somehow squeezing in as many personal surfs as she can, regardless of conditions.
Given just three years ago she hadn’t stood up on a board, it’s a remarkable transformation, which a lot of our guests are inspired by.
A rare moment featuring Magnus out of the surf
Magnus Drew Knudson – Surf Coach
Magnus is another customer-cum-coach, who after showing admirable commitment to the Surf Academy in 2022, was offered to join the team.
His patience in the water with customers is a unique, unteachable quality and having youth on his side means many hours are spent in the water, whether it’s coaching or surfing, the stoke is strong and infects the whole Surf House.
Magnus’ only downfall would be the Nordic complexion in the tropical sun, so look out for the tall blonde guy in a bucket cap when you’re out in the lineup and he’ll get you into some bombs.
Ima always smiles
Imesh Dinuka – Surf Coach
Ima is one of the more talented surfers in town, as well as a lifetime local from Ahangama, so knows exactly where and when the waves will be at their optimum for coaching.
We have had the pleasure of working with Ima for a couple of seasons now and are stoked to see his confidence in the surf grow, as well as his confidence working with the team at delivering the surf course.
We were stoked to put Ima through his ISA Level 1 Coaching Course last season, so now he’s fully qualified and frothing to meet you all!
Asoka & Ima up and ready bright and early
Asoka Gamage – Surf Coach
Asoka is another of our local surf coaches who has also just become fully qualified with his ISA level 1. With a more softly spoken personality, customers are made to feel safe surfing with Asoka, even when they are out of their comfort zone.
Asoka’s mellow vibe also spreads out to his surfing and you’ll normally find him surfing away from the crowd on a 6’6 single fin, trimming across the waves with a huge smile on his face.
We tried to get Asoka coaching in the UK last Summer, but the combination of the cold, rain and 5mm. wetsuit saw him quickly jump back on a flight to paradise and we don’t blame him!
Rare moment of Ru in front of the lens
Ru Kidd – Content Creator / Surf Coach
Ru’s first experience with Ticket to Ride was on the 10-week South Africa Instructor Course and Adventure way back in 2010. Since then Ru has been a customer-cum-employee on several trips and with a natural knack for film and photography has settled into a role which he created as Ticket to Ride’s Content Manager.
Ru is also a very enthusiastic Surf Coach, spending his Summers coaching at our Surf School in Watergate Bay, Cornwall, UK and is first to put is hand up to help out when we need it at the Surf House in Sri Lanka.
Lucy stoked on the success from the Woman’s Week
Lucy Theobald – Community Manager
Lucy joined the Ticket to Ride Philippines trip back in October 2018 and was offered a job in the Head Office in January 2019. This role has morphed a few times and she now enjoys the UK Winter with us in Sri Lanka where the majority of her work is online, but like Ru, she’s the first to jump in the water when needed.
Lucy also helped to setup and run a now annual Woman’s Week in Sri Lanka and plays an active role with the Sea Sisters foundation, a social enterprise that empowers local girls and women using swimming and surfing as tools for social change.
It’s also worth noting that despite her mellow personality Lucy is a low-key charger and her favourite wave in Sri Lanka is Rams, a right hand slab, probably the gnarliest wave in the country and if you don’t see her at the Surf House cafe behind her laptop, she’ll be in the Green Room…
Chris Bond (Honorable Mention) – TTR Group Managing Director
If you’ve taken or are considering taking the 10 week Surf Academy, you will meet Chris, Ticket to Ride’s Managing Director, who puts on his ISA cap and teaches the ISA Level 1 course to our participants.
Chris worked closely with Nikita to proudly develop the surf coaching program and his credentials as a surf coach speak for themself as he is currently working on the WSL World Tour with surfers Matt McGillivray, Liam Lobb, as well as a handful of Challenger Series competitors. He is also the South African National Team Coach and will be taking the team to the Olympics in 2024.
So you’re in safe hands to say the least…
To seriously improve your surfing come and join the team in Sri Lanka this Winter.
Take me there!