WE EXIST TO HELP YOU SURF BETTER
It might sound cliché, but without our incredible team of surf obsessed, service-focused frothers, we simply wouldn’t be able to do what we do. Our surf coaching team is what makes Renegade unique. Whilst we come from different backgrounds and countries around the world, we all share one common passion – helping you to surf better.
SIMON HARTLEY
FOUNDER | CEO | SURF GUIDE
Growing up in the NW of England, the cards weren’t exactly stacked for me to start a surf coaching and travel company. But what my hometown lacked in proximity to surf, it made up for by instilling hunger for exploration, uncrowded waves, and chasing swells to all 4 coastlines of the UK.
Discovering surfing at the age of 16 and coming from a surf-less coast, I felt the need to play catch-up. I began obsessing over how I could improve, despite only being able to get to the beach a couple of times each month. This is when I realised there was a lack of quality surf coaching available for people who could already surf. 10 years, a lot of traveling and 7 years working in surf tourism later, and Renegade Surf Travel was born.
Dale and I became good friends after living together in Portugal in 2018. Whilst we now share a passion for helping surfers improve in paradise, we’re mates and surf-pals at our core.
From: Liverpool, UK
Years Surfing: 14
Favourite (non-Maldivian) Wave: Secret river-mouth in the NE of England
Favourite Surfer: Joel Parkinson
Favourite Manoeuvre: Roundhouse cutback
Likes: Watching people get the wave of their life
Dislikes: People who surf well-known spots and complain about crowds
DALE WALLINGTON
CO-OWNER | MANAGING DIRECTOR | SURF GUIDE
As a child, I was unable to go in the ocean due to a skin condition. However, I made up for lost time throughout my teenage years by spending countless hours bobbing around the North Cornish coast on my trusty bodyboard.
It wasn’t until I was old enough to travel that my passion for surfing and discovering new waves and destinations truly took off. Throughout my early 20’s I worked back-to-back surf seasons as an instructor and camp manager in Australia, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Portugal and Panama. This provided me opportunity to work on me own surfing, whilst also giving me a wealth of experience and skills in hospitality, operations and management. Now based in Portugal, I joined forces with Simon in 2020 to become a partner in Renegade Surf Travel.
Despite now having a young family, I’m still just as obsessed with chasing waves and look forward to the day my son, Luca, is dropping in on me.
From: Cornwall, UK
Years surfing: 16
Favourite (non-Maldivian) wave: The sand-bottom points of Oaxaca, Mexico
Favourite Surfer: Ethan Ewing
Favourite Manoeuvre: Layback Hack
Likes: When a tricky guiding decision pays off
Dislikes: Taking surfing too seriously
MEET YOUR SURF COACHES
MARK BOYD
THURSO, SCOTLAND
Boydie was the original Renegade surf coach and set the foundations for how we want to coach surfing. With a backhand attack honed at ‘coldwater Nias’ (right in front of his house), we suspect he may have spent more time in the tube than the rest of the Renegade team combined…
PEPIJN TIGGES
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS
Growing up surfing wind swells in the Netherlands and making it onto the QS is no mean feat. Yet surfing sub-par waves has shaped Pep into the surfer and surf coach he is today. Pep has been forced to understand every nuance of our sport in order to achieve his goals. Super patient and adaptable in his coaching style, with one of the smoothest forehand wraps in the business.
SHANNON AINSLIE
JEFFREY’S BAY, SOUTH AFRICA
Shannon grew up in the surfers Mecca of Jefferey’s Bay, yet traded it for frigid perfection in the far north of Norway. He likes to thaw out each year in the Maldives and put his years of experience coaching national teams, Olympic athletes and ISA world games competitors to use, by helping you to become a better surfer.
NIC SPIERS
ENGLAND, UK
Nic first joined a Renegade trip as a guest in 2021. Dale and Simon instantly recognised his infectious positive energy and passion for quality surf coaching. With a background in high-level snowboarding tuition, Nic brings a holistic approach to surf coaching and attacks concepts from a fresh and often eye-opening perspective.
JACOB MELLISH
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Jacob is an incredible talent on a surfboard. When guests paddle out with him for the first time, their response is often “wow, he is the best surfer I have ever surfed with!”. Jacob has a deep understanding of the way the body moves and how that translates on a wave. Whether its’ barrels, airs or turns, Jacob can do it all and loves to share his knowledge with you.
MEET YOUR RENEGUIDES
BETH MORGAN
ENGLAND, UK
Sometimes referred to as the better half of Nic, Beth is an incredible guide and camera-woman. Always upbeat, a problem solver and a magician behind the lens. She’ll have you scoring the best waves of your life whilst capturing it all without you even realising.
NIC SPIERS
ENGLAND, UK
When Nic isn’t coaching, you’ll find him running double duty as a Reneguide. Nic is the consumate professional of our crew. Always ensuring things are running as smoothly as possible, whilst plotting the best course to make sure you’re surfing the best waves the Maldives have to offer.
JOHN JACOBSEN
OSLO, NORWAY
John is the ultimate hype-man and good-times-giver. Somehow he manages to mix this fun loving energy with military precision and organisation behind the scenes. Splitting his time between his home in Norway and Portugal, John is no stranger to hunting down quality surf in Europe or the tropics.
BILL ALLEN
DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND
Originally from the south coast of England, Bill relocated to the familiarly frigid south of New Zealand in search of some of the highest quality empty surf on the planet. This mentality, combined with an unwavering love for the sport, makes him perfectly qualified to deliver you the best surf trip of your life.
CALLE ROTH
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
Calle worked in Portugal with Simon in 2016 and with Dale in Bali in 2017. When we were looking for a new guide to join our ranks in 2024, our answer was unanimous and without hesitation. Calle is the ultimate frother, and has a natural ability on a surfboard that defies his Stockholm roots.