Learning To Surf In Cornwall

Many people travel to Cornwall for its famous surfing spots. Situated along the coast, Cornwall has a great selection of beaches, and the different coves and winds provide many perfect surfing conditions. There are a lot of surf schools across Cornwall, so learning to surf is definitely an easy task!

 

Many surf schools host short day lessons, family lessons, and even weekend camps.

Here are some of the best spots for surfing across Cornwall…

No. 1 – Newquay

So many people travel to Newquay for the surf. It’s the most well-known area to surf in Cornwall, and there are an array of beaches with perfect swells, all of which have an array of surf schools on hand…

Fistral Beach – likely to be the busiest beach in Newquay, there are an array of surf schools in the area, some options are Fistral Beach Surf School and Quicksilver Surf School.

Towan Beach – another busy beach in the summer, with the infamous clifftop house linked by a rope bridge, Escape Surf School is the longest standing surf school in the area.

Watergate Bay – a beautiful beach with lots of hotels and restaurants that overlook the ocean, Surf Watergate and Extreme Academy are the surf schools in the area.

Mawgan Porth – closest to the airport, it’s not uncommon for people to fly from London to Cornwall for a quick surf day or surfing weekend! King Surf is the surf school in the area.

No. 2 – Sennen Cove

A beautiful cove and village situated in the Parish of Sennen, the cove is a lot less popular with ‘out of county’ surfers. It is a real gem, with beautiful coastal views, and the almost frequent winds make for great surfing conditions.

The surf schools in the area are Sennen Surfing Centre and Smart Surf School.

No. 3 – Padstow

Mostly known for its superb fish based restaurants and working fishing port, Padstow is also popular with local surfers. This spot is also great for kayaking and paddle boarding.

The surf school in the area is Harlyn Surf School.

No. 4 – Gwithian

Gwithian plays host to some beautiful beaches, and if you’re lucky enough you’ll spot some seals relaxing along the sands. There are an array of landscapes, rock formations, and coves here, which also come with their own swells and surfing conditions. Gwithian is a great spot to surf all year round.

The surf school in the area is Gwithian Academy of Surfing.

No. 5 – Godrevy

A fairly accessible (and beautiful) beach, it’s popular with surfers or sunbathers. The Swell can pack a little punch, especially at low tide – making it great for more intermediate or pro suffers. Take care, as this is a rocky coast, with a landmark lighthouse out in the ocean. You may even have seals join you on your surf!

The surf school in the area is Shore Surf School.

Safety Tips

We absolutely recommend taking a surf lesson, even a short one, before attempting the waves on your own - but here are some basic surfing safety tips to get you started…

No. 1 – beginners should start in shallow waters with small waves, and slowly work their way up.

No. 2 - avoid collisions with other surfers. Keep a good distance between your board and theirs, fifteen feet or more is the recommended space.

No. 3 – every board comes with (or should come with) a safety leash. It’s always advisable to wear this whilst surfing.

No. 4 – beginners should always surf with a friend, or at least somebody who can rush in to help if necessary. It’s safer for any surfer to surf with a friend no matter their skill.

No. 5 – if you fall off the board, look for its location immediately. Many accidents happen when the board hits the surfer. No. 6 – flags are on the beach for a reason, and are placed there by lifeguards. Use them, and make sure you stay within their boundaries, they are there for your safety.