Below are a number of testimonials received by Riders who have taken part in one of our trips in 'Gap Years':
James Avison, 19
As I write this I am sitting in a tent in North Cornwall on a day off as a surf instructor on one of the best beaches in England. It's just over six months after the first day of Ticket to Ride in Cap... more
Joe Glover - 32
An awesome experience. The volunteer placement was definitely worthwhile. The combination of surfing and volunteering is spot on. Every morning you're up, out and enjoying the beaches that Cape Tow... more
Peace Oyegun
'Nothing can describe the feeling when you wake up in the middle of the rainforest to sunny skies, Rafa's (chef at Funky Monkey Lodge) banana pancakes and amazing surf all day. It's been a great trip,... more
Manni Dack
'The trip for me was exactly what I needed at this time in my life. Costa Rica was the perfect place to have it' How did you find the surfing side of the trip? I have really enjoyed learning to ... more
Hamish Khayat
‘I had a great time in Costa Rica, it was the perfectly chilled out trip to get away from everything.’ What did you think of the surfing side of the trip? I really enjoyed it and felt that my su... more
Toby Marks, 19
Before going on Ticket to Ride, I had never stepped foot on a surfboard apart from a few frustrating hours with friends in Cornwall. Four years later however, I found out about Ticket to Ride's Gap Ye... more
Ed Willmott
'The surfing was awesome and the tuition was very informative' What did you think of the accommodation? The Funky Monkey lodge was really good, I would give it a 8.5/10. The cooking facilities w... more
Ruaridh Kidd
I had such an awesome time! A lot better than I had originally thought. From not surfing at all before the trip to now being a qualified lifesaver and surfing instructor, is pretty awesome and still a... more
Hannah Dryland
‘Absolutely amazing trip, incredible place, you’ll fall in love with it.’ What did you think of the surfing side of the trip? I loved the surfing and the pointers I got from the instructors were... more
Rachel Manning
‘I have always wanted to surf and TTRide has given me the opportunity to do so.’ What did you think of the surfing side of the trip? Surfing is something that I have always wanted to do and now ... more
Nico Toll
I have learned so much form this experience. Before coming I was expecting to be stoked all the time, so when I was having a hard time I got frustrated. But from these challenges I gained more wisdom ... more
Toby Calcraft
Costa Rica is the perfect place to come if you want something opposite to England. Could be the most relaxed I have ever been in my life. The country is beautiful, wildlife plentiful and the local peo... more
Elliot East
I enjoyed learning to Surf in Santa Teresa more than I ever expected, and I felt that I had really improved by then end of the trip. Funky Monkey’s was a comfortable and clean place to stay. We receiv... more
Sebastian Inglis-Jones
Its simple, if you want to totally transform your surfing, ttride can do it. I started as someone who had done a fair bit of surfing back in England, but had never really experienced surfing as a life... more
Sam Crossley
This trip to Costa Rica has fuelled a desire to go travelling and to see and surf new places. The surf coaching has given me a confident grounding in the basics and has got me striving to perform bett... more
Jessica Peel
This trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity and it was definitely worth it! I thought everything from the accommodation to the coaching was of a high standard. Bevan did a great job as trip leader ... more
Sam Priddy
I learnt a lot on this trip, not just about surfing but about myself too. I really feel like my surfing has improved enough that I will really be able to make the most of the surfing in Australia and ... more
Alexander Gentles
This trip was near perfect- everyday has been better than the one before it, more enjoyable, more thrilling and more fun. My favourite spots were J-Bay, where due to Etiene’s coaching I feel it was th... more
Erin Coutts
The Costa Rica trip was amazing, there probably isn’t a more perfect place to learn to surf. It was great to have two instructors to help me on different aspects of my surfing and I felt they helped i... more
Jack Murphy, 18
Ticket to Ride has made my gap year truly worthwhile: it's been a great adventure! The trip has not only given me a good start as a surfer but has also pushed me to face my fears and given me experien... more
Loukas Peploe
Santa Teresa is just a perfect place to stay for the 6 weeks, everyone has got a smile on their face. Great for learning how to surf and understanding the way of surfing. The spanish lessons helped me... more
Alasdair Henderson
My favourite stops were Umtentweni because we had some great waves and Cinsta which was the best all round stop with good food, accommodation and a fun place. Bevan was a great leader as he is enthusi... more
Triccia Chesson, 19
This trip has been an unforgettable experience that I've gained so much from. I'm leaving Ticket to Ride not only knowing how to surf but with 2 qualifications that I never thought I'd have. I've been... more
Poppy Marshall, 19
TTRide South Africa & Mozambique
"The trip leaders Chris Bond and Pete Abel were incredible throughout the trip. The diversity of all the surf coaches was really rewarding and beneficial for everybody's surfing. What an amazing trip!... more
Frances King
The surf tuition I received was hugely informative and very helpful- I really enjoyed learning to surf. We were well supported by our trip leaders, they organised everything seamlessly. With the extra... more
Henry St. George
An amazing 4 weeks. Getting to know the kids and Thomas was very special. I'd never surfed before but with the coaching and the variety of spots we surfed, i feel confident to head off on my own. A re... more
Rob Pitman, 22
TTRide South Africa & Mozambique
"An amazing 13 weeks, great waves, great people, great experience. It's worth the hype and the build up, you've got to go on this trip. Mozambique was the perfect way to finish the trip. i will be goi... more
Henrik Brantsaeter, 19
TTRide South Africa & Mozambique
Ticket to Ride has provided me with a way into the great sport of surfing whilst traveling a fantastic country with an awesome group of people, loved every day of it. Mozambique was different to South... more
Tia Seymour - 19
Had a wicked time, proven by the fact i am carrying on to go to Mozambique. The staff are all wicked, TTRide have a great team and the people along the way are amazing too. Loved the surf, loved the s... more
Jenny Rosam
The concept of TTR is spot on - it ticked so many boxes of what i wanted to do with 10 weeks of my gap year. Met some awesome people, got to move around and see a lot of South Africa, got a great tan... more
Jonty Davies, 19
Awesome! The surfing was really good as the quality of the waves was nothing like I'd seen before. The coaches were so good and helped me progress. TTride has given me everything I wanted out of my ga... more
Adam King
South Africa is a gem of a country and Ticket to Ride showed me the best of it. We packed so many experiences into 3 months, thanks to Ticket to Ride for showing me South Africa and teaching me how to... more
Tom Wigan
I had quite high expectations about Ticket to Ride and it certainly lived up to them. I had quite high surfing targets which I managed to achieve and I'm very happy with where I'm at on departing¯.
Tom Hills, 19
TTRide South Africa & Mozambique
An amazing trip that has opened my eyes to so many things in a truly amazing country. I have seen and experienced things in this trip that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Charlie Allport
An awesome 3 months. There’s so many good waves along the coast, the locations are brilliant with some great people, cool parties and I’ll remember it all for a long long time!
Spencer Taylor, 19
To me Ticket to Ride has been all about surfing awesome waves, travelling a beautiful country, having some awesome parties and ultimately making a bunch of lifelong friends!
Bertie Conibear
'Without doubt one of the most rewarding trips of my life. The waves were great, the work with the kids was really rewarding and i feel i got a real feel for South Africa'
John Tallamy
A fantastic entry into surfing and the awesomely chilled lifestyle. Africa in itself is an experience to behold, an amazing place to travel and surf. Love it!¯
Charlotte Gill, 18
The most awesome travelling experience a trip of a lifetime. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity nothing could beat it. Cheers Ticket to Ride!¯
Henry Waite - TTRide Kitesurfing Coach
TTRide Kitesurfing Kenya - Instructor Co...
Life doesn't get much better than when you on are standing on a white sand beach having just cruised up and down a crystal clear lagoon in Kenya!
Pippa Dowdell, 19
I had such a fantastic time with Ticket to Ride, the more 'gap year' chats I get into the more I realise how brilliant and unique mine was!
Matthew Buttlery, 19
TTRide South Africa & Mozambique
South Africa and Mozambique were both amazing. I had an awesome time with some great people and surfed some incredible waves.
Sarah Woolf
TTRide South Africa & Mozambique
Carrying on up to Mozambique after travelling around South Africa with Ticket to Ride made an amazing trip even better!!!
Tia Seymour 19
TTRide South Africa & Mozambique
13 of the most amazing weeks of my life. The best decision I ever made. Thanks for showing me the way!!!
Viki Marr
A Jammed packed 10 weeks allowing us to learn to experience surfing in a way that only SA can bring!
Jim Norris, 19
An essential in learning to surf, doing so with world champs, top coaches and lifelong friends.
Nick Holland, 19
As a qualified Surf Instructor and Beach Lifeguard I can work on beaches all over the world.
Skatie Noyes
TTR was the trip of my life! I loved it and would happily do it all over again!
TTRIDE INTERNATIONAL
