26th July 2010Surfer Richie’s Business set to Make Waves Thanks to UKSE 
A leading surfing instructor is giving North East surfers a unique opportunity to benefit from professional level video coaching thanks to support from UK Steel Enterprise.
UKSE has helped Richie Mitchell, 38, from Saltburn to purchase a video camera and editing software to provide a service that is usually only available to professional surfers.
With seven years experience as a British Surf Association Coach, Richie is thought to be the only instructor outside Cornwall offering video coaching. It allows him to film his surf students in action before they analyse the performance together on screen.
“Professional surfers use video coaching all the time,” Richie explained. “I had the idea for the service when I had my own surfing filmed and it proved to be a big breakthrough in terms of my performance. Surfing is incredibly popular in the region and everyone deserves the opportunity to improve in this way.
“Video coaching allows you to see mistakes that you don't know you're making when you're out on the water and I'm very excited to be the only surf coach offering this service in the North East.
“I had everything in place to launch the video coaching service when a grant I had been promised elsewhere fell through at the last moment. UK Steel Enterprise really saved my bacon because they stepped in and the process of securing the funding was fast and simple. The low-cost loan is terrific value and makes a big difference financially.
“I think the fact that this is a unique service in the North East is going to help me grow the business and I couldn't have done it without UK Steel Enterprise,” he added.
In addition to the video equipment and software UKSE provided a low-cost loan to allow Richie to develop a website - http://www.flowsurfcoaching.com/ - to promote the new service. Richie will offer video coaching as part of his normal coaching service, but also plans to offer special birthday and Christmas packages as the ideal gift for surf enthusiasts.
“We're always keen to support new businesses that are a little bit different or offer the North East something new,” explained UK Steel Enterprise Regional Executive Nick Johnson.
An £8.3m support package for the region was announced by UK Steel Enterprise following the mothballing of the Teesside Cast Products plant. Since then, 86 businesses have been supported including plumbing and home maintenance firms, an events management company and a tree surgeon - and more than 150 jobs created so far.
For information on UK Steel Enterprise visit http://www.uksteelenterprise.co.uk/ or call 01642 777 777. Contact Richie Mitchell on 07816 194 969 or richie@flowsurfcoaching.com or http://www.flowsurfcoaching.com/. | 
