Tidal Connections is a community led surf collaborative with an emphasis on protecting, preserving and enjoying the wild environment of Belhaven Bay.
We Belong! Women of any experience or ability are welcomed including complete beginners who would like to improve their surfing, meet in community, make friends and look after the local environment. You will need to bring your own equipment- wetsuit, boots, gloves, hood and surfboard or bodyboard. Membership offers 10% off at https://www.skymonster.com/ based in Dalkeith
Membership There are 40 membership places available in total (we currently have spaces, email below to request to join) This membership will give you access to Tidal Connections community sessions and events at no cost or by donation. These community sessions are a way to meet other likeminded women and connect in the sea – meet at John Muir Country Park at the fire pit for the opening circle. Please email for more information: scotland@groundswellcommunity.org
Coached Sessions Every month a coached session will be guided by Groundswell Facilitators (qualified in SLSGB surf lifeguards, physical trainers, wellbeing practitioners, yoga teachers and ISA surf coaches) to embark on a journey of healing, empowerment, skill building and uniting through surfing. Please note that this session will be booked via the Groundswell Scotland Website and spaces are limited. Your membership does not guarantee you a space on the monthly coach session. You will need your own wetsuit and surfing equipment for these coached sessions. Please note: session will run in the evenings when there is enough light to do so!
Example Session* 6pm meet and greet at John Muir Country Park fire pit for intention setting, circle, forecast update, coaching plan and community connection. Surf strength flow 6.30pm Surfing 7pm Close 8.30pm
*all sessions are tailored to the forecast of the day
Communication We will keep you informed by email when sessions are coming up and if there will be any cancellations. For community session meet ups, volunteers will host the opening circle. You are responsible for your own safety and we will give you more information about this when you are signing up for your membership.
For coached sessions, Groundswell surf coach lifeguards will facilitate the sessions (these must be booked in advance and places are limited)
We fundraise so that we can support you to access our programmes, please get in touch for more information.
This is a community group which is run by members for members, please feel free to help to organise community sessions and to come forward to open the circle at surf sessions and to organise surf and nature based sessions during winter.
2025 gatherings that have been planned so far are as follows:
6.30-8.30pm John Muir Country Park, meet at the fire pit
Mon 28th April – Community Surf and opening ceremony
Tue 27th May – Groundswell Scotland coached session
Thursday 26th June – Groundswell Scotland coached session
Monday 25th August-Groundswell Scotland coached session
Tuesday 30th September-Groundswell Scotland coached session
Thursday 9th October-Groundswell Scotland coached session
WINTER:
Every month surf and community development sessions at West Barns Village Hall will be offered by Groundswell Scotland or within the Tidal Connections community.
Membership places are limited, please email for more information-
scotland@groundswellcommunity.org
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SESSION WILL GO AHEAD UNLESS IT’S DANGEROUS TO DO SO. IF IT IS FLAT WE CAN MEET AND TRAIN FOR SURF RELATED SKILLS & TECHNIQUES, SURF LIFESAVING & BEACH ENVIRONMENT OR A BEACH CLEAN.