About us
Hi! Welcome to Zest Surf. Founded by Emily, Beth and Sophie, three of the top surfers in the country.
Surf coaching often exists at the extremes. Your first lesson, or the professional level, with very little in between. And that gap is where most surfers sit.
Zest Surf was created with a clear vision: to make high level progression-focused surf coaching accessible, supportive, and tailored to every surfer and ability.
Between us, we bring over 25 years of coaching experience, alongside competing internationally under some of the world’s leading surf coaches and performance professionals. But more importantly, we know what it feels like to get stuck, to plateau, and to not know what to work on next.
That’s why our coaching is built differently.
We specialise in technical surf coaching across longboarding, shortboarding and improver levels, using detailed video analysis and structured feedback to create clear, measurable progression.
Because progression shouldn't feel like guess work.
Our Team
Beth Leighfield
Founder
Multiple times British Longboard Champion and competitor on the WSL European Tour, Beth has a wealth of competition experience and the smoothest drop knee on tour (if you wanna learn a drop knee, Beth’s ya gal!).
After achieving a First Class Honours degree in Geography, she went on to get a corporate job (ooooo) as a sustainability consultant. Now a full time surfer and surf coach, Beth’s passion for protecting the ocean and working within sustainability has landed her to be the latest ambassador for Surfers Against Sewage.
Beth spends the majority of the wintertime away, seeking waves and warmer climates, and is often found hanging 10 (and barrel dodging) at the world's longest left hand point in the world in Peru.
Emily Currie
Founder
24x National Champion, European Champion, undoubtedly the most decorated female surfer in British history. Emily’s professional surfing results speak for themselves and demonstrate her surfing expertise on a shortboard and a longboard.
Outside of competing Em has recently graduated with a First Class Degree in Sport and Exercise Science, as well as being a regular coach on the Junior Team England Squad.
Beyond the stats and her surfing accolades, Em’s infectious positivity and can-do approach will be sure to make you feel at ease and crack a smile from the start.
Sophie Williamson
Founder
AKA @spicyvegtablepasty to those who know. Soph started surfing in her late teens and only picked up a log 5 years ago, yet has already become one of the most stylish, composed loggers in the UK.
She is a technical surfing WHIZZ and is one of the biggest nerds we know (surfing + other special interests). Soph's ability to explain and break down complex theory is next to none.
P.S Having recently graduated with a Masters specialising in Volcanology, ask her something about rock formation at the beach and watch her eyes sparkle.
Zest Surf
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Client Reviews
“The longboarding course was so good. I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect, but the knowledge passed over was invaluable, the structure was ideal and the personalised information was so helpful out of the water.
I received feedback and further direction regarding my technique and progress which I was so very grateful for. Would definitely work with these ladies again!”
Becky, All-Rounder course
“I can’t recommend the longboard clinic run by Zest enough. I came to the course feeling frustrated with a plateau on my long boarding and came away with tangible goals broken down into smaller steps that I’m now practicing after the course and can feel the progress I’m making!
Emily, Beth and Sophie are fantastic instructors, under their guidance the whole group were making progress just over the two days! I came on my own and had such a blast with the rest of the group, i can’t wait for the next one!!”
Merryn, All-Rounder course
“I signed up as I was losing momentum with my longboarding and needed some inspiration which is exactly what I got. The theory sessions were really beneficial (especially Sophie’s very scientific explanations of noseriding and physics). I would attend another course in a heartbeat to learn more from these guys.
Finally, I loved how this course is suited to those people with technical goals such as how to space your cross steps and use the sections of the wave better, it is different to other courses out there which don’t cater for a more intermediate to advanced level.”
Zoe, All-Rounder course
Contact us
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