The story behind Poloca Surf

Meet Vicky – Founder and surf coach of Poloca Surf School in Lanzarote

Hi, I’m Vicky – the heart and soul behind Poloca Surf. I’m a qualified surf coach with over a decade of experience, and I absolutely love what I do. I hold the ISA Level 2 Surf Coaching Certification – in fact, I’m proud to be the only woman in the Canary Islands with this advanced qualification!

I am also a certified ISA Surf Judge ⭐ – a licence I just passed, which allows me to judge surf competitions at an international level.

This certification is designed for coaches working with intermediate to early advanced surfers, with a strong focus on technique development, mindset, and even competition preparation.

Before launching Poloca Surf, I had the opportunity to coach at some incredible places. I spent five years at the renowned Tim Jones -Surf School Lanzarote, three years in Wavesisters, two years as Head Coach at a surf school in Portugal- Oporotosurfcamp. I’ve been living and surfing in Lanzarote since 2014, and in 2020, I turned my dream into reality by creating my own surf coaching business.

A bit about my journey: I was born just outside Madrid to Polish parents and grew up immersed in the world of sport—from capoeira and snowboarding to judo, which I competed in professionally. I later earned Bachelor’s degree in  the University of Physical Education in Warsaw, where a study exchange in Portugal introduced me to surfing. That first wave was a game-changer—and it set me on a path that led to becoming the first Polish woman to earn a surf instructor licence from the Academy of Surfing Instructors (ASI).

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The Story Behind Poloca Surf

Before Poloca Surf was a school, it was a nickname carried by the ocean.

It began in the north of Portugal, where the Atlantic is wild, the water ( in the north) is cold, and the surf demands both courage and passion. I showed up there as a surfer from Poland — something that, to many, didn’t quite fit the usual picture. People would ask where I was from, often surprised, sometimes confused… and always curious how a Polish girl ended up chasing waves in such raw conditions.

That’s when the name Poloca was born — a mix of “polaca” and “loca.” The Polish girl who must be a little crazy to love this kind of surf.

But for me, it wasn’t crazy. It was love.

The name stuck. I started writing it on my boards, spraying it as graffiti, carrying it from one coastline to another.

When the time came to create my own surf school, there was never really a question of what to call it. Poloca Surf is everything that journey stands for — passion, resilience, joy, and the freedom to follow your own path, no matter how unexpected it may seem.

Because sometimes, the “crazy” ones are just the ones brave enough to go their own way.

Why choose Poloca Surf School?

At Poloca Surf, I go beyond just teaching you how to stand up on a board. My coaching is personalised, technical, and results-driven—designed to help you progress faster and with more confidence. I understand that your time is valuable, so each session is crafted to make the most of every moment in the water.

Whether you’re a beginner catching your very first wave or an intermediate surfer looking to break through a plateau, I’ll create a training programme that’s tailored to you. My background in sports science, competitive training, and over 12 years of coaching experience means I know how to identify what’s holding you back and how to help you push past it.

Progress in surfing isn’t always linear—it can be frustrating when you feel stuck doing the same thing over and over. That’s where my coaching style comes in. I focus on refining technique, boosting confidence, and introducing new methods so you can keep moving forward, wave after wave.

My Coaching Philosophy

Surfing is more than just a sport—it’s about building confidence, connection with the ocean, and having fun. I believe in fostering a relaxed, encouraging atmosphere where you can make mistakes, learn, and improve without pressure.
Whether it’s through tailored surf lessons, hands-on coaching in the water, or video feedback, I’ll help you set realistic goals and work toward them in a way that suits your pace and level.

What My Students Say

• “Vicky is an amazing coach who really takes the time to help you improve, no matter your level! I went from being nervous on my board to confidently catching waves. Highly recommend!” – Sarah, Beginner Surfer
• “Thanks to Vicky’s video analysis, I refined my technique and started landing better turns. The small group lessons are exactly what I needed.” – Mark, Intermediate Surfer

Ready to start progressing?

Whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced surfer, I’m here to help you progress and enjoy the waves in Lanzarote.
Book Your Lesson or Contact Me on vicky@polocasurf.com today to get started!

About Me

I’m an ISA Level 2 Surf Coach, trained under experienced coach Barrie Hall, and currently the only woman in the Canary Islands to hold this qualification. I coach in English, Spanish and Polish.

What is an ISA Level 2 Surf Coach?

ISA Level 2 is the International Surfing Association’s coaching certification for working with intermediate to early-advanced surfers, focused on skill progression and development. You have to be an ISA Level 1 Instructor first. You also need surfing ability above intermediate level, 40 logged practical coaching hours and a valid lifesaving award. The course covers:

• The essence of coaching
• Planning and preparation
• The coaching process
• Skill acquisition
• Surfing fundamentals
• The physical demands of surfing
• Performance psychology for progression coaching
• Athlete development and contest preparation

ISA certification is recognised worldwide as the international standard of safety, quality and effectiveness for surf instructors and coaches.

National Team & Federation Roles

Polish National Surf Team Coaching Staff – EuroSurf 2025

In 2025 I had the honour of being part of the coaching team for the Polish National Surf Team at the prestigious EuroSurf 2025 in Santa Cruz, Portugal. The experience deepened my passion for the sport and strengthened my commitment to helping every surfer reach their full potential.

Selection Committee – Polish Surfing Federation (PZS)

Since July 2025 I’ve served on the PZS Selection Committee (Board Resolution U-01/07/2025; mandate extended by Resolution U-04/01/2026). The Committee selects Polish National Team athletes and representatives for international competitions through a merit-based, transparent and objective process.

ISA Certified Judge (2026)

Trained by ISA Technical Director Erik Krammer.

Always Learning

I keep building my knowledge through training courses and webinars run by the International Surfing Association (ISA).

2026

• ISA Judging Certification – training led by ISA Technical Director Erik Krammer.
• ISA Women’s Judging Workshop – part of the ISA programme to train and develop more women surf judges for international competition. Led by Erik Krammer, Dave Shipley and Tory Gilkerson.
• ISA Webinar Series: Planning for Success in Surfing Competitions (in progress) – a two-part series for coaches, performance staff and competitive surfers. It covers warm-up as a performance tool and competition-day planning, strategy and recovery across multi-day events. Presented by Andy King, Prof. Christian Cook, Jared de Thierry and Dr Chris Gaviglio.
• ISA Webinar: Surf Mindset – Building Confidence, Resilience and Empowerment through Surfing, with Lia Dacosta – practical tools for coaches to understand the psychological barriers in surfing and help surfers build confidence in the water.
• ISA Webinar: Fix My Wave – How to Analyse Surfing on Video, with Shannon Ainslie
• ISA Webinar: Intro to SUP Biomechanics

2025

• ISA Supervisor Instructor course, with Andy Joyce
• ISA Webinar: Surf Therapy 101, with Hannah Caskey
• ISA Webinar: Autism Teaching – Surfing from a Sensory Perspective
• ISA Webinar: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Coaching
• ISA Webinar: Surf Strength and Mobility Training
• ISA Webinar: Surf Performance Nutrition
• ISA Webinar: The Conscious Lineup – ISA Sustainability for Surfers

Fun fact

I was the first Polish surf instructor in the history of the ASI (Academy of Surfing Instructors).

How I Learned to Stay Calm Underwater

On November 26, 2022, I took on the Atlantic in Lanzarote during an intense Surf Survival & Breath-Hold course with Oceanic Motion. Under the guidance of freediving expert Mehdi Allam, I trained to stay calm underwater, handle heavy hold-downs, and even perform CPR in full surf kit. It was part breath-hold challenge, part ocean rescue mission—and 100% unforgettable.

The intensive one-day program covered breath-hold and apnea training, ocean risk management, rescue techniques (CPR, unconscious swimmer rescue), and stress response drills—all simulating real surf emergency conditions.
This course, run by Oceanic Motion and led by Mehdi Allam—a highly respected freedive coach and former firefighter—was a powerful reminder of the ocean’s force and the importance of being prepared. It plays a big role in how I approach surf coaching today: with safety, awareness, and respect for the sea at the core of everything I do.