Testimonials

From Matt Hewitt

Trevor was my first surf coach. I was a late starter to surfing, so I knew that it would be to my advantage if I got coaching right from the start, so that I could make sure I had the right stance,  technique and style. Trevor's lessons were really good,  he covered the practical side with lots of land based drills & video assessment,  then backed it up with the theory of the physical dynamics involved & heaps of different heat stratigies. I really enjoyed that he mixed up the coaching sessions. He filmed our sessions which was a great advantage as you could see what you needed to improve on, and make the corrections during that coaching session. I feel that my first coaching sessions had a lot to do with me advancing so quickly on the surfing scene and in such a short period of time I have managed to make an impact on the national scene and I put this down to the great coaching I have received as well as the support. Another part of the training that I enjoyed was that I got to do the sessions with my mates, as there was always between 3 and 4 of us doing the training at the same time & this also helped to simulate lots of different heat simulations
I can strongly recommend Trevor for anyone wanting to advance their competitive style of surfing as he has years of experience and I know that I definitely benefited and am really greateful that my parents thought that it would be worth investing in coaching at the beginning to get it right. So cheers Trev for some excellent training sessions.

Matt Hewitt

From Fiona McNabb

I have known Trevor since 2004 when my son Sean Peggs achieved a place in the Coromandel Scholastic surf team at the age of 12 . Trevor was team coach at the time.
Sean, having grown up on Tairua Beach is a self taught surfer, achieving a reasonable level of skill at that age without the aid of any formal coaching and coming from a non surfing family. Sean lacked confidence and strategic skills in competition and by this stage it was apparent that he would benefit from some assistance.
Trevor took Sean on at 13 and over the next two years worked to establish the basics of competition strategy and the mental sturdiness required to cope with stresses of competing.
Trevor gave Sean some excellent advice on his choice of surfboard and was instrumental in getting him onto a board custom made to suit his style of surfing.
Trevor's approach was always encouraging and supportive. He taught with enthusiasm and passion and coached both from the shore, from behind a video camera and in the water alongside his students. He also knew just how far to stretch Sean, walking the fine line between assisting a step up to the next level without challenging him in conditions that he wasn't ready for.
Without doubt, these early sessions were instrumental in establishing Sean in the New Zealand junior surfing circuit. Sean went on to spend two years in the Raglan Area School Surf Academy furthering his early coaching experience and traveled with the NZ Junior Surf Team to the world championships in 2006 and 2007.

Regards

Fiona McNabb

From Jarrod Dunn

We have been using Trevor and the team at Sunshine Surf Coaching for the past four years and found them to be a very professional outfit. Every year we bring our Year 13 students to Waihi to take part in surfing lessons and we always use Sunshine Surf Coaching.
During the session all aspects of safety in the surf, and while learning to surf are covered. We have found this to be very informative, and something that the students and teachers can take away from the lesson.
When in the water the students have commented on how safe they feel, and also how easy it is to follow the advice and instructions of the instructors. The students are dealt with in a very positive manner, and the instructors are approachable and great to work with. This helps with the success of the lesson and the achievement rate that we have had with students “actually” up and surfing has been very high. Many of our students can’t wait to get back into the water and have another go.
I would not hesitate to recommend Trevor and his team to anyone else who is looking at taking surf lessons. We will be using them again next year and as long as surfing is in our programme.

Jarrod Dunn
HOD Physical Education
Western Springs College

From Adam Walter, Katikati

We have been working with Trevor and Sunshine Surf Coaching for 5 years. I would highly recommend Trevor for his professional approach, attention to safety aspects, and excellent knowledge and manner with the students.
It is great for us that Trevor can provide all the equipment that is approprioate for beginners in terms of safety and ability level. The large foam boards are easy to learn on and also very safe. Trevor also has plans in place for emergency situations that help ensure the safety of our students.
Trevor is well organised and keen to make things work. We intend to continue using Trevor and Sunshine Surf Coaching as our students enjoy the lessons and as staff we have full confidence in the service provided.
The Surfing lessons are a highlight of the year for some of our students and in some cases have lead to them taking up surfing as a sport.

Yours in Sport,

Adam Walter
HOF PHysical Education & Health - Katikati College.

From George Gray

Trevor's coaching was excellent. He recorded my session and we were able to instantly review what I'd done as soon as I got out of the water.
With his mobile video equipment and tv in his van we could look at how I was really surfing compared to how I thought I was surfing (i.e 2 weeks away from an ASP spot).
You can take your video recording away and review what you need to work on before your next coaching session.
Getting that immediate video feedback about what you're doing and what you can change
is a powerful learning tool.
Trevor also provides great paper handouts for you to look over in your own time.
Trevor's coching is perfect for intermediate-level surfers who want to improve and have fun.

Do it!"

Dr George Gray
TMG associates Ltd
Ph 021-374729

From Jan Meyers, Whangamata - December 2008

In recognition and support for: Mr Trevor Medcalf - Sunshine Surf Coaching School, Bay Of Plenty, New Zealand
I have been involved in club and competition level  surfing for the last five years in Whangamata.
Trevor has been providing coaching for a large group of our young competiitve surfers in this time.
We have been extremely fortunate to have  had a coach, of such high calibre, in our local area and the growth and development  and success of our junior surfers has certainly been a result of Trevor’s timeless energy and expertise into coaching  these students.
Trevor is a great surfer himself  and therefore has the skills and knowledge to teach students technique and  style. Trevor’s lessons involve careful planning of skills, practice, reinforcement of technique and he is able to film and edit students lessons. This is a huge learning curve for students to evaluate and critique themselves. It essentially builds on the correction of technique, and allows students  to view and improve on their surfing.
Our surfers in Whangamata over the last 8 years have certainly benefitted from his coaching. The majority of these kids have made national and international selection in World surfing arenas.
On a personal level Trevor has coached my son from his early grom years and at that time, Blake developed enormously in his technique, style and confidence.
Trevor isn’t just a competitive surfing coach. I have observed him with large groups of  beginner surfers,school groups, and  older people keen to learn to surf.  He is a great coach for anyone keen to learn.
I therefore endorse his coaching school as it moves into 2009. He has grown this business over the years and  he can certainly be proud of his students’ achievements in New Zealand Surfing.
We are grateful for all his hard work and skills.

Sincerely,

Jan Meyers

From Rangi Ormond

From a beginner to advanced surfer Trevor will be able to help take your surfing to the next level with his coaching methods.
He worked allot on my technique throughout my bottom turns, timing and making the right decisions on what maneuvers to use on the different parts of the waves.
Another thing he worked on with me and something that will help any competitive surfer was surfing smarter heats he gives you formulas and systems which break down surfing a heat into simple steps which if put into practise will bring your success rate for making heats much higher.
I'm sure he will be able to help with whatever you need to improve on in your surfing ability.

Cheers,

Rangi

From Ant, Jake and Garth Olliff

Hi Trevor

Just a quick note to thank you for the surfing lesson recently at Waihi Beach. We had a great time and really appreciated the structure of your lesson. The kids talked a lot afterwards about the safety aspects you went through (reading the beach, rips etc) and it was great that we were all up and riding waves at the first lesson. Needless to say the next few days at the beach involved more surfing.

Look forward to catching up with you again. Maybe next Christmas when we get your help on some bigger stuff.

Thanks bro - we are stoked!

Ant, Jake and Garth Olliff

From Bronwyn Rowe, Hamiklton

Hello Trevor,

Just a email to say thank you so much for the surfing lessons you gave my daughter Courtney. My sister said she hasn’t seen Courtney so
Excited and pleased with herself that she had them, and has told me she wants to do more later probably Christmas break this year. 

So thank you very much.

Bronwyn Rowe