New Schools In Caithness For Thrill Seekers

14th January 2003

Whether you like being in the water or up in the air, two new schools are opening in Caithness for those with a sense of adventure.

With assistance from Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE), the Phoenix Flying School and Thurso Surf both open their doors for business this month.

Via CASE's HIE Starts programme - an initiative which helps give new businesses support and financial assistance by providing a regular income over the first 12 months of trading - the two new projects are sure to prove very popular with locals and visitors alike.

Susan Henderson from Wick is behind the Phoenix Flying School, which will teach budding pilots how to fly microlight aircraft. While Susan deals with the day-to-day running of the business, her fiance, John Bain - a highly qualified microlight pilot and instructor - will carry out all training.

There has already been considerable interest in the flying school with a number of clients already on Susan's books. She explained: "People seem to be really interested in learning how to fly microlights and we are delighted by the response from the business community, in particular the support pledged by Ackergill Tower. John has already taken a number of their guests on flights.

"With John's excellent skills as a teacher and my experience as a manager I hope the business will get off to a flying start!"

Meanwhile, the north's first ever surfing school is being established. Andrew Bain will operate Thurso Surf from Thurso beach, which has some of the best conditions in Europe for the sport.

Andrew is a British Surfing Association qualified instructor and acting chairman of the recently re-formed Scottish Surfing Federation. His girlfriend Natalie Palmer will be helping with the business and the pair are looking forward to their new venture.

Commenting on the business, Andrew said: "Starting a surf school has been a long held ambition of mine and I'm grateful to CASE for their assistance.
"I hope to encourage many more north youngsters to try surfing and with some of the best surfing conditions in Europe to be found in the north of Scotland, I'm sure they'll be hooked. However, as well as locals, I hope the surf school will be an added tourist attraction for the Caithness area."

Ian Thomson is CASE's HIE Starts manager. He said: "Starting a new business is challenging. However, the financial assistance, advice and support available under the HIE Starts Scheme encourages people such as Susan and Andrew to go for it.

"The Phoenix Flying School and Thurso Surf are two very unique businesses which we were delighted to be able to assist in this way. The two ventures offer locals and visitors exciting new experiences and we wish them both every success."