About
A lifetime of paddling and surf experience. Over 13 years of operation in Tofino. Fun and compassionate surf education is what we’re about.
Emre Bosut owner and creator of Swell Tofino (Swell Education Ltd. | Swell Paddle + Surf Tofino) has been on the pursuit of surf for most of his life. Swell is the latest way for Emre to share his passion for being in the ocean.
Swell Tofino actually started off as T’ashii Paddle School with origins of the company dating back to 2013 when Emre and Tsimka Martin began offering paddling and outdoor education for tourism and locals. In 2018 the paddleboarding, surfing and first aid products of T’ashii were moved over to Emre’s new company Swell Education Ltd.
Learning while having fun in the water and the outdoors is our passion.
Swell Tofino is located in a sweet spot right between the inlet and North Chesterman beach. You can find our shop on the south side of Hotel Zed. We’re offering surfing and lessons and surfing, paddleboarding and bike rentals to meet all your beach needs. We’re excited to help you live the Tofino Beach Life through rentals and instruction so we can share our passion while continuing to grow and learn with the new energy that life and the ocean provides.
Check out the Virtual Tour of Swell Tofino surf shop
Meet Our Team:
Owner, surfer, Paddle Canada Instructor Trainer, and Red Cross first aid instructor. Paddling and surfing have accompanied Emre on his journey through life. It started in a whitewater kayak searching for waves along the shores of Lake Ontario, where he grew up in Burlington. It's been a long and exciting journey, working across the country and internationally as a guide and instructor, to his current home in Tofino, BC, where the waves are much bigger. One thing that hasn't changed is Emre's love of being on the water, which today is usually on a paddleboard or surfboard.
Emre is passionate about instruction and learning with people. He is excited to be developing Canada's most comprehensive SUP and Surf instruction resources, drawing upon his instructional experience of working as an instructor and guide throughout his professional life. Emre's experience includes instructing and guiding programs (the COLT Program, Canadian Outdoor Leadership Training), Whitewater kayak instruction with Madawaska Kanu Center, Sea Kayak guiding in Clayoquot Sound with Paddle West Kayaking, first aid instructing as a Canadian Red Cross first aid instructor, and, most recently a Paddle Canada SUP Instructor Trainer and chair of the Paddle Canada SUP development committee.
Emre is always stoked to share his love for catching waves and learning in the outdoors. If he's not figuring new ways to share the world of paddling and surfing with others, you know where he can be found: in the surf.
Where are you from, and what brought you to Tofino?
From Montreal, Quebec. I came to Tofino for the first time in 2021 on a road trip with some friends, and I fell in love with the small surf town vibes, so I decided to come back to work here the following years! Living so close to the ocean is awesome.
How many seasons have you been working with Swell Tofino?
This is my second season with the Swell Team!
What’s your advice for beginner surfers?
Keep getting out there as much as you can, that will help with your muscle memory, technique, and you'll experience different conditions and learn how to read the waves better!
Which Tofino beach is your favorite to surf at?
North Chesterman in the winter for sure, fast, steep waves!
If you had to pick only one, would you choose a longboard or a shortboard?
Shortboard for sure, but I do enjoy longboarding in the summer when the waves are smaller!
Where are you from, and what brought you to Tofino?
From Protection Island. I was on the tail of a California surf/bike trip, decided to come to Tofino for some surfing, and things fell into place, and I'm still here.
How many seasons have you been working with Swell Tofino?
Started my first season this past Winter!
What’s your advice for beginner surfers?
You won't get different results if you do the same things, be kind to yourself, and look where you want to go.
Which Tofino beach is your favorite to surf at?
Haven't surfed them all yet, but North Chesterman with a nice offshore wind is a heckin' good time.
If you had to pick only one, would you choose a longboard or a shortboard?
Longboard, definitely. Whatever keeps me surfing into a ripe old age.
Where are you from, and what brought you to Tofino?
From Adelaide, Australia. I came over to Canada in 2024 for a ski season in Banff. I fell in love with the mountains, snowboarding, and cute mountain town charm. After over a year in Banff, I missed the ocean badly and decided to swap the snow for sand and beaches, so here I am!
How many seasons have you been working with Swell Tofino?
This is my first season at Swell, and I am stoked to be a part of the team and surfing community.
What’s your advice for beginner surfers?
Be patient with yourself and have fun! But also, don't forget your sunscreen!!
Which Tofino beach is your favorite to surf at?
North Chesterman! Bonus when it's a low tide, so I can search for starfish on the rocks.
If you had to pick only one, would you choose a longboard or a shortboard?
A boogie board!!! (so fun)
Where are you from, and what brought you to Tofino?
I’m from Winchester, England. I came to Tofino in 2023 to work as a surf instructor for the first time. Since then, I’ve left a few times to travel and explore waves in places like Nicaragua and Mexico, but I always seem to find my way back here!
How many seasons have you been working with Swell Tofino?
This is my first season with Swell, and I’m stoked to be part of the team!
What’s your advice for beginner surfers?
There’s no substitute for time in the water. Getting out there as much as possible helps you read the waves and develop your technique.
Which Tofino beach is your favourite to surf at?
I love all the beaches here! Right now, North Chesterman is my favourite, but in the summer, I surf Cox Bay the most.
If you had to pick only one, would you choose a longboard or a shortboard?
Shortboard. I love the technical side of riding a smaller board and taking off on steeper waves. That said, in the summer, I enjoy riding bigger boards for smaller waves and catching party waves with friends.
Where are you from, and what brought you to Tofino?
I am from Costa Rica, the North Pacific region. My family moved to Tofino for a job opportunity and for the amazing surf. Tofino reminds me a lot of the town I am from in Costa Rica, so I feel at home here
How many seasons have you been working with Swell Tofino?
Since last June, almost 1 year
What’s your advice for beginner surfers?
To prioritize learning about the equipment and how to control your surfboard to feel more confident in the water
Which Tofino beach is your favourite to surf at?
The south end of Cox Bay beach has a really fun left
If you had to pick only one, would you choose a longboard or a shortboard?
Shortboard every time
Where are you from, and what brought you to Tofino?
I’m from Slovenia. Surfing brought me to Tofino almost 3 years ago, and it's keeping me here 🙂
How many seasons have you been working with Swell Tofino?
I'm going on my third year as part of the year-round team.
What’s your advice for beginner surfers?
It's supposed to be fun! The more fun you have, enjoying your time in the water, and staying present, the better your surfing will be!
Which Tofino beach is your favourite to surf at?
I love Cox Bay, but the long walk to the beach makes me wanna choose North Chesterman every time 🤣
If you had to pick only one, would you choose a longboard or a shortboard?
Shortboard 🏄♀️ I currently enjoy learning maneuvers on my 6'2 "swallowtail, which helps me catch small, mushy waves as well as send it into the steeper ones.
Where are you from, and what brought you to Tofino?
I was born in Toronto, Canada, and grew up in a small town outside of the city. I love mountains and the ocean, so naturally BC was always the place I wanted to be.
How many seasons have you been working with Swell Tofino?
This will be my first season with Swell, but if you ask any surf instructor in Tofino, this is the best spot to teach.
What’s your advice for beginner surfers?
Patience and surfing go hand in hand. You can’t catch every wave, and you won’t be a good surfer after 10 minutes in the water. Take a breath, enjoy the process, and don’t forget to send it.
Which Tofino beach is your favourite to surf at?
Cox will always be my fave. On a good day, the waves feel friendlier there, like they want you to ride them.
If you had to pick only one, would you choose a longboard or a shortboard?
Give me an all-rounder, and I’ll be happy. Something right in between, ready to catch whatever Tofino slop is out there.
Where are you from, and what brought you to Tofino?
I am from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. I came to Tofino back in 2024 to surf and experience the West Coast. The mountains and ocean are pretty amazing, but it’s the people who keep me coming back!
How many seasons have you been working with Swell Tofino?
This is my third season working with Swell
What’s your advice for beginner surfers?
Rome wasn’t built in a day… be patient and kind to yourself, and make sure to have fun!
Which Tofino beach is your favourite to surf at?
I love a good sunset surf at Long Beach. Florencia is also pretty magical when it’s working!
If you had to pick only one, would you choose a longboard or a shortboard?
Longboard all the way! It feels like dancing, and I love the flow and creativity that comes with it.
Where are you from, and what brought you to Tofino?
I am from Ottawa, Ontario! I am here to surf as much as possible to maintain my steez over the summer.
How many seasons have you been working with Swell Tofino?
This is my first summer with Swell.
What’s your advice for beginner surfers?
Just be out in the water for vibes and a good time. The more practice, the better.
Which Tofino beach is your favourite to surf at?
North Chesty for sure.
If you had to pick only one, would you choose a longboard or a shortboard?
Longboard for sure, more consistent waves over big waves.
Where are you from, and what brought you to Tofino?
I was born and raised in Toronto, ON, and barrels and getting absolutely pitted brought me to Tofino.
How many seasons have you been working with Swell Tofino?
This is my first summer with Swell Tofino.
What’s your advice for beginner surfers?
Get in the water! If you don’t go out, you don’t know what you’re missing.
Which Tofino beach is your favourite to surf at?
Cox Bay or Long Beach
If you had to pick only one, would you choose a longboard or a shortboard?
Mid L E N G T H
Where are you from, and what brought you to Tofino?
I'm from Iceland. I have been studying in Canada since September 2025. I've always wanted to be in a place where I can surf regularly and in warmer waters than back home. Tofino seemed like the perfect choice.
How many seasons have you been working with Swell Tofino?
This is my first season at Swell.
What’s your advice for beginner surfers?
Cold water is nothing to be afraid of. If you have the right wetsuit, it's like a suit of armour.
Which Tofino beach is your favourite to surf at?
There are too many to choose from, but I've gotten some of my best waves at Cox Bay. But I really love going to beaches that are harder to get to. It just adds more to the experience if you have to put in effort to get there.
If you had to pick only one, would you choose a longboard or a shortboard?
Recently, I have been rocking a longer board, but I can't really choose one, they're just different tools for different things.