About Us
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all
Helen Keller
Saltwater Safari has been delivering Coasteering, Surf & SUP coaching for individuals, couples and small private groups of family and/or friends since the summer of 2014.
In 2019 we were proud to become an affiliated training centre for SLSGB delivering Lifeguard and Surf Coach Rescue Award qualifications.
We love what we do and so do our customers!
is all about.............
- Sharing my love of the natural world and the wildlife I encounter
- Challenging you in the outdoors so that you can have fun whilst learning new skills
- You experiencing adventure in a small group of just your family and / or friends
- Reviewing and re-living your Saltwater Safari experience over a drinkat a local establishment or whilst looking at photos taken during the safari
Pete Smith
Adventure Sports Coach and Business Owner
I was born and brought up in the North-East of England near a rugged stretch of coastline between Sunderland and South Shields. This became my playground and was where I first learnt about the natural world.
If I was not climbing the cliffs or swimming in rock-gardens, then it was only because I had not fallen in at that particular time. I was encouraged to explore and challenge myself through the natural world and it was there that I developed an interest in all things living. I learnt that if I could get close to nature by my own devices this usually resulted in adventure and excitement…………
......more
On leaving school I joined the Army, travelling overseas to often hazardous locations leading to my even bigger appetite for adventure. After a successful military career, I studied Arboriculture and worked as a tree surgeon, earning a living from climbing trees and yes, you’ve guessed it, more adventure! (You try climbing 70ft trees in windy conditions with a chainsaw and ropes!)
During this time I returned to university where I gained a degree in Geography and Adventure Sports and qualified as a Multi-disciplined Outdoor Pursuits Instructor with Qualified Teacher Status. I hold the full International Mountain Leader Award so, can and have lead expeditions overseas.
On moving to Cornwall with my wife Jane, I gained employment at Cornwall College where I wrote, delivered and managed the Foundation degree in Adventure Sports Coaching for Plymouth University and managed the Advanced Instructor Training Programme delivering skills-based activities in rock climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, surfing and coasteering.
My friends will tell you that I am slightly obsessed with “challenge and the benefits of being in the ocean”. I never tire of being in the sea whether coasteering, surfing, SUPing or tucking into a barrel on my hand-plane. If I am not in the sea, I can usually be found drinking coffee, running, climbing and/or walking over the moors, on or near a beach.
Jane Smith
"Behind the scenes"
I am Pete’s wife, Jane, and it is me who takes care of your booking with Saltwater Safari. I also teach French in local primary schools, Italian to adults and a dance-exercise class called FitSteps which is why, early in the summer season, it can sometimes take me a bit longer to get back to you.
Pete says I am (thankfully) very good at admin and multi-tasking (aka juggling), a skill I developed whilst working as an SAP Training Consultant and Project Manager in industry before we moved to Cornwall.
I love Cornwall and the outdoors – nature’s playground – and, when not at work, can also be found drinking good coffee, walking, beach-cleaning, beachcombing and rockpooling, swimming, belly boarding in the sea, or doing something for charity.
Contact Us
Experience your very own Coasteering, Surfing, SUP or MadVenture in North Cornwall with Saltwater Safari
We run all our activities as private sessions Just For You to help you create shared memories with family and friends that will have you reminiscing about your holiday in North Cornwall long after you have returned back home!
In addition, we are affiliated to SLSGB as an Accredited Training Centre for SLSGB Awards and can of course run a training programme to help you / your team learn Surf Rescue Skills without needing to complete an award.
Our goal, whichever Saltwater Safari adventure you choose, is to help you
Have fun, Learn new skills and Face new challenges !
