Surfing is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK, and there is nowhere better to learn how to surf than in Newquay the surfing Capital of Britain.

Surfing Cornwall

Explore South West offers private surfing lessons to help you get the most from your time in the water, as well as children´s surfing lessons, and group surfing lessons. We also hold one to one surf clinics that will help surfers of any level to reach their goals.

Private Surfing Lessons are great for teaching small private groups. There will only be your party taking part in these surfing lessons. The private surfing lessons will help small groups to progress much faster.

Children´s Surfing Lessons are aimed at children under 14 years old (depending on size). The children´s surfing lessons are run by surf instructors who are also qualified surf life savers, so your kids will be in safe hands.

Group Surfing Lessons are open to all adults and are the cheapest way to learn the basics of surfing. Group Surfing Lessons will teach you about the dangers of the ocean, along with surfing principles and techniques.

One to One Surfing Lessons are for people who are serious about becoming a surfer. Lessons are intense and the One to One surfing coaching will help you to improve quickly. These lessons are more expensive, but offer much more than group surfing lessons.

Surfing in Cornwall

Surfing in Cornwall has turned into the counties favourite pastime. Toddlers to O.A.P´s are now enjoying the waves right throughout the year with new wetsuit technology keeping you warm even when the beach is crisp with frost. Winter is actually the best time for surfing in Cornwall with waves consistently much bigger and much more powerful. Summer is the perfect time to learn with small mellow waves and warm temperatures.

Late September and early October signals the start of the hurricane season in America which sends massive swells over to our Cornish beaches which turns into fantastic surf in the warmest water of the year.

Surfing Beaches

Surf at Watergate Bay
Watergate Bay offers the largest expanse of beach in which to surf on the North Cornish coast. There are multiple peaks and out of season you can always find a spot with surf breaking perfectly left and right, and no other surfers. At low tide, the wave is fast and punch with lots of barrels, and at high tide the surf is more mellow and crowded due to the beach getting much smaller. Watergate Bay works best with South Westerly swells and light easterly winds.

Surf at Fistral Beach
Fistral Beach is the most famous surfing beach in Cornwall, and as a result is super crowded in mid season. The surf is similar to Watergate Bay´s with the exception of the sheltered South End which is still beautifully clean even in Southerly gales. Experienced surfers can enter the water on big days from the South end rocks which means that the long hard paddle out can be completely missed out!

Surf at Newquay
The Newquay surf beaches of Towan, Tolcarn and Great Western are all very popular surfing spots and are more sheltered from the South Westerly wind which is the predominant direction. The surf however doesn´t break with much quality. The waves usually close-out leaving hardly any room for riding. These beaches are great for learning, but most locals with transport will avoid these beaches unless the other spots are blown out or too big to surf.

Surf at Secret Spots
There are quite a few secret spots in North Cornwall that you will have to find for yourself. The easiest way to get the inside info is to find a local and buy them loads of beer. Or you can send me a check for £1000,000 and I will send you a list of secret surf spots that will make your eyes bleed!