Living so close to the stunning beaches is just one of the lovely things about living in Dorset. But the water is not without its risks.

Rachael Potter spends much of her life in the sea, as a keen surfer and open water swimmer, and is passionate about teaching water safety to others.

She and her partner Mark will be spending their summer doing just that, from a gazebo at Branksome Dene, as well as running surfing and stand-up paddleboarding lessons.

“It’s what I’m passionate about,” she explains.

“I used to volunteer for the Wave Project in Bournemouth, helping children with mental health issues to learn to surf. I met Mark and we decided to set up our own surf school. We just need to be at the beach.”

Shaka Surf, which has a permit from Borough of Poole, will also be running yoga sessions as well as open water swimming, surf parties and, Rachael’s pet project, rookie lifeguards.

“I’ve done life saving with the Amateur Swimming Association and I wanted to take what I know and take it to Branksome,” says Rachael, who also works as a swimming teacher.

“Where we are in Branksome it’s quite safe but even when the beach lifeguards stop there are still people on the beach. I saved quite a few children last year. It doesn’t take a lot for the wind to get up and, if they’re on an inflatable, to get pushed out.

“Rookie lifeguards is all about beach safety – we teach them how to swim in the sea properly and how to get yourself out of difficulty.”

Rachael grew up in a family of water babies – her dad and brother are both keen body boarders – and she clearly loves passing on her passion to others.

“I’ve been competitive swimming since I was nine and I just love the water,” she smiles.

“I body boarded from the age of about ten and learned to surf at about 19, which is really late. But surfing is amazing and I love seeing the kids faces as well when they get it – once they’ve stood on a board for the first time in the water.”

But with the fun comes a serious message – each session starts off with a water safety talk.

Rachael and Mark launched Shaka Surf last year and are hoping to build on its success and expand the concept.

“We are in a gazebo, so we are quite mobile,” she says.

“I would like to have one station at Sandbanks and one at Canford Cliffs too.

“It’s hard work, but it’s so much fun.”

• shakasurf.co.uk, info@shakasurf. co.uk, 07468 427811. You can also find Shaka Surf on Facebook and Instagram.