THE FIRST Rob Barber bodyboard coaching weekend of the season got off to a successful start at Newquay's Fistral Beach last Saturday, as 18 people braved the average conditions to hone their skills, ranging in age from 8 to 59.

The course attracts people from all over the world. Beginner Maggie Hii was named the most improved rider of the weekend, and won a brand new NMD bodyboard for her efforts. Born in Borneo, Maggie has lived in the UK for the last eight years, but until Saturday had never even so much as dipped a toe in British waters.

She said: "I saw it advertised on Google and just thought why not? I think the main thing I learned was patience. I am trying to get better at duckdiving so I can get through the waves, but I will improve the more I do it. It helps your mind as well as your physical strength.

"Bodyboarding is easier to learn than surfing and you get more out of it quicker," she said.

At the other end of the ability scale was under-16 British champion Stephen Hall, who has been coming to the bodyboard coaching weekends for a couple of years and has benefited hugely from the school's professional advice.

"Rob has helped me loads, but specifically in my competition surfing, and in nailing certain manoeuvres. The video analysis sessions are an excellent way to see what you are doing wrong, or how to improve certain aspects of your riding," Stephen said.

The coaching weekends run throughout the summer and autumn and cost £119.99. That price includes four two-hour bodyboard sessions, two video analysis sessions by professional videographer Sam Buckle and the option of purchasing photographs by surf photographer Matt Hawken.

Each participant also gets a goody bag provided by event sponsors ThreeSixty Bodyboard Magazine and NMD bodyboards, individual prizes for most improved riders and – weather depending – an optional evening barbecue.

Additionally, each participant receives individual feedback and a coach's report on areas of riding that can be improved.

Ex-British champion and surf coach Rob Barber has been running the school since 1997, now located adjacent to the Carnmarth Hotel above the north end of Fistral Beach. He also offers coasteering classes, surf lessons, and surf coaching weekends with professional surfer Russell Winter.

Rob said: "The sport is more popular than ever at the moment, I think there are more bodyboarders all over the world in the water now from what I have seen.

"It is such an accessible sport. People are starting to realise it's not just a question of picking up a cheap board from a shop and riding whitewater, now you can learn in two days what would have previously taken years to get the hang of."

"As well as the basics, we can also do specific manoeuvre clinics, where people might say they want to learn 360 spins or aerials, and so as well as step-by-step teaching we'll also go to waves that lend themselves to doing aerials." Bodyboarding is a relatively new sport which has long lived under surfing's shadow. Only in the last 20 years has it progressed to the level where people are starting to appreciate it as an extreme sport in its own right.

Global competitions, the uncovering of challenging new waves, and a growing bodyboard scene are all contributing to its rapid upturn.

"Growing old is inevitable," beginner Dave Gallico, 59, said. "But growing up, well that's optional."

Rob Barber's Bodyboarding School is open every day for lessons.

The coaching weekends this year will be held on: June 19 and 20, September 4 and 5, September 18 and 19, October 17 and 18.

Additionally, there is a bodyboarding camp being held in Newquay from August 14 to 21.

Full details on Rob Barber's bodyboarding school and this year's event calendar can be found on www.robbarber.com or call 01637 879571.

Special thanks to the Carnmarth Hotel and Berties Lodge for their respective food and hospitality.