'Surf' degree hits the rocks

Students who had signed up have been moved onto other courses

A new course in surf and beach management has been dropped - because no-one would take it seriously.

Swansea Institute's principal David Warner said they had been forced to axe the course as "it was impossible to stop people poking fun at it".

The degree, due to start last month, was at the centre of a big splash in July when it was criticised at a teachers' union conference.

Teacher Peter Morris labelled it a "Mickey Mouse" course.

Mr Morris, from Swansea, said surfing was "a hobby, not a subject" and that the three-year degree was "devaluing academia".

The course was to have featured modules on managing surf expeditions and surf destination planning.

This is not fair to all our other students to be tarred with the brush of this Peter Warner

It was defended strongly by Mr Warner, who insisted it had not been cancelled due to lack of interest.

"This is extremely sad," he said.

"This is an example of a very good vocational course within a dynamic industry which now will not be run simply because of the bigots.

"We do not want to get an image for doing anything other than serious vocational work, and others were just making fun of it.

"After three months at least of attempting to explain to people that indeed this was a management course, it was impossible to stop people poking fun at it.

"This is not fair to all our other students to be tarred with the brush of this."

All the students who signed up to the course have been accommodated on other courses within the institute.

Vocational courses

It is currently unclear whether the degree will be started next year instead.

The course had required applicants to have at least two D-grades at A-level.

Earlier, Mr Warner said every course at the institute was carefully planned to give students as much hands on experience as possible in their chosen field.

And he said 96.8% of graduates either found employment or went on to further education within six months of completing their studies in Swansea - one of the best rates in the UK.