Meet the Team!
Farmdog Surf School has the best team of surf instructors on the Outer Banks to help you learn to surf and SUP (stand up paddle) safely and effectively. Our staff is courteous, professional, and prepared, with skills in water safety and course instruction. Our staff is trained to teach to the level of the student so that each person in a surf or SUP lesson is able to learn and progress at their own pace.
Our lead instructors include Robert Farmer, Aaron West, Joe Sherlock, Hannah Bunn, Noah Snyder, Derek Avery, Shane Moore, Austin Pontius, Skyla Lamberto-Egan, Ryan Hall, and Omar Santiago. They demonstrate the techniques and skills required to ride waves, read a surf lineup, and interact with other beach and water users.
Farmdog Surf School surf instructors are required to be NSSIA certified in order to lead a private or group surf or SUP lesson. Farmdog Surf School also requires their surf instructors to undergo an annual spring training program to refresh their skills and provide for consistent lessons from each instructor.
In addition to NSSIA certification for lead instructors, Farmdog Surf School pays for our instructors to obtain CPR and AED certifications.
Each year, Farmdog Surf School trains young local surfers as assistant instructors. After a year or two in this role, the assistants are eligible to take the certification course and become lead instructors.
ROBERT FARMER
Robert Farmer has been surfing for more than two decades and teaching surfing since 1999. Farmdog Surf School was created out of a desire to share the amazing experience of catching and riding waves and all that it entails, including surf lingo, ocean etiquette, and practicing safe surf. Robert Farmer is an NSSIA and CPR certified surf instructor.
Nickname: Farmdog
Place of Birth: VA
Surfing since: 1991
Surfing Stance: Regular
Favorite Movie: Point Break
Favorite Food: Farmdog Surf School Organic Smoothies
Other Hobbies: Running, Music, Vegan, Being a Dad.
NOAH SNYDER
Noah Snyder joins Farmdog Surf School as a private surf instructor. Noah Snyder has a note-worthy background as a professional athlete. He began surfing early in life and, almost immediately, major surf sponsors picked him up. Noah became a professional surfer at age 21 with Hurley International being his primary sponsor. One of the most seen surf films of all time, Noah’s Arc, was made about his life.
Noah has hosted surf camps for over 20 years on the Outer Banks and has been conducting boot camps since 2007. He is a certified Boot camp and Group Fitness Instructor.
After 17 years of working with Hurley, Noah felt the calling to focus on building his fitness business, Momentum Fitness OBX, on the Outer Banks.
Noah is passionate about helping individuals reach their maximum potential in fitness, health, and surfing.
Farmdog Surf School is very stoked to be partnering with Noah Snyder and Momentum Fitness in order to promote healthy fitness and elite level surfing.
AARON WEST
Aaron grew up on the Coffs Harbour coast in NSW Australia. He spent his early years in the area surfing fun beach breaks and headlands. After finishing high school, he moved to the Gold Coast and worked in a surfboard factory for several years before making the move to the Outer Banks of North Carolina in 2008.
“Watching people’s excitement as they catch and ride their first waves is one of the coolest feelings, and I’m stoked to be able to share the fun of surfing for a living!”
Nickname: Danny Boy (Caddyshack)
Place of Birth: Coffs Harbour, NSW Australia
Surfing since: 1995
Surfing Stance: Goofy
Favorite Movie: Dumb and Dumber
Favorite Food: Meat Pies
Favorite Quote: “Life’s a garden. Dig it!” – Joe Dirt
Other Hobbies: Listening to music, watching the WSL, fixing my cars, eating Ben & Jerry’s, hanging out with Hannah and Ted, and riding mini-bikes.
HANNAH BUNN
Nickname: Honey Bunn
Place of Birth: the Outer Banks
Surfing since: 2002
Surfing Stance: Goofy
Favorite Movie: Bedknobs & Broomsticks
Favorite Food: Coconut
Favorite Quote: “The grass isn’t greener on the other side. You bring your green grass with you wherever you go” –Mama Bunn
Other Hobbies: Reading, Writing, Crafting, Keeping the guys in line, Cats (and other cute animals)
Hannah Bunn is an NSSIA and CPR certified surf instructor for Farmdog Surf School and a native of the Outer Banks.
She grew up on the beach in Kill Devil Hills and learned to surf when she was 15. Hannah has been integral in creating the visual environment at Farmdog Surf School’s coffee and smoothie bar. In addition, she has written several articles for the Farmdog Surf School blog, volunteered for the Farmdog Surf School First Descents Camp in Mexico in November of 2014, and helped design and merchandise Farmdog Surf School apparel.
She loves sharing the joy of the ocean with others, particularly kiddos. She is super excited to lead Farmdog Surf School Summer Day Camp and make a classroom out of nature. She is also a certified K-6 teacher, freelance writer, sunscreen advocate, and lover of cuddly things.
JOE SHERLOCK
Nickname: Dingo
Place of Birth: England
Surfing since: The Womb
Surfing Stance: Natural Footer
Favorite Movie: Frozen
Favorite Food: Raisins
Favorite Quote: “I have noticed that even people who claim everything is predetermined and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road.” – Stephen Hawking
Other Hobbies: Stand Up Paddle boarding, espresso, Aussie Rules Football.
DEREK AVERY
Nickname: D-Rock
Place of Birth: Outer Banks
Surfing Since: 2002
Surfing Stance: Goofy
Favorite Movie: Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Favorite Food: A Chicken Burrito with everything in it.
Favorite Quote: “When the wave breaks here, don’t be there! Or you’re gonna get drilled!” (North Shore)
Other Hobbies: Cooking, Surfing, Reading, Farming, Music, Photography, Art, Snow boarding, Traveling, Spear fishing.
SHANE MOORE
Nickname: Baby Thor
Place of Birth: Indianapolis, Indiana
Surfing since: 2007
Surfing Stance: Regular
Favorite Movie: Into the Wild
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Quote: “Whatever you are, be a good one.” – Abraham Lincoln
Other Hobbies: Photography, snowboarding, sketch comedy, Dungeons and Dragons.
AUSTIN PONTIUS
Nickname: The Rock, Bindi, Cabana Boy, etc…
Place of Birth: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Surfing since: 2012
Surfing Stance: Regular
Favorite Movie: Out Cold
Favorite Food: Nachos (made by Mom)
Favorite Quote: “That’s what.” -She
Other Hobbies: Reading, swimming, snowboarding, wakeboarding, photo-bombing, and traveling.