Our Pick of the Best Surf Schools

April 2, 2024

It’s easy to appreciate why the north coast of Cornwall is considered one of the most exciting surf destinations in the UK – once you’ve discovered the sweeping bays and sparkling Atlantic rollers you’ll be hooked! Surfing really is as much fun as it looks and a true Cornish experience is not complete without riding the waves.

Novice or expert, bodyboarding or surfing, eighty or eight, check out our fantastic choice of surf schools and what they have to offer, during your stay with Cornish Seaview Cottages.

Harlyn Surf School, Padstow – staying at the Beau Vista Apts, Padstow & Bay View, Port Isaac

With its reputation as one of the safer beaches in the county, the crescent shaped bay is popular with novice surfers who can learn to master the waves. Harlyn Surf School has friendly professional surf instructors, offering every level of surfing lesson. The school is ideal for children, adults, groups and families and boasts a fantastic range of surf courses and holiday camps.

Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay – staying at our Treyarnon Bay properties

Watergate Bay is a 2 mile stretch of beach at low tide, a few miles north from the beaches of Newquay. Here the Extreme Academy offers surf lessons for all abilities in either groups or one-to-one. Choose from the latest Gul wetsuits and all the equipment you need to get you started.

Freewave Surf Academy, Widemouth Bay – staying at Fursewood

Located just outside Bude, Freewave Surf Academy is a surf school with over 15 years’ experience in taking small groups, families and individuals on aquatic adventures. Their small team of instructors are made up of local watermen and ladies. They will tailor your experiences to meet the needs of the individuals in your family or group. This way, everyone leaves with a smile and a sense of achievement.

Big Blue Surf School, Bude – staying at our Crackington Haven houses

The Big Blue Surf School has been teaching surfing to novices for more than 15 years. They’ve seen hundreds of men, women and children graduate through its sea salty ranks. Whether you’re a solo wannabe surf dude, a gang of friends chasing the waves, or a family looking to share in an ocean adventure the instructors at ‘Big Blue’ will have you out paddling ready to drop in on your first Cornish break! Big Blue also have specially trained instructors who are able to run exciting surf sessions for children with disabilities and autism.

Newquay Surf School – staying at Surfside

Escape Surf School

These guys at Escape Surf School have been teaching people to surf for over 15 years. Their base on the Newquay Cliff Top, overlooking the spectacular Towan Beach and Newquay Bay, is fully equipped with showers, changing rooms, bar & restaurant. The whole team are dedicated to ensuring you have the best time learning to surf. Their innovative teaching methods for beginners involves them holding the tail of the board, whilst the surfer gets to their feet. This helps stabilise the board until the surfer is standing, then they release, then enjoy the amazing feeling of riding the surf!

Quicksilver Surf School

Based less than 50m from Fistral Beach. Book surf lessons, coasteering, body boarding or stand up paddleboarding with Quicksilver Surf School. The onsite beachside facilities provide hot showers, secure lockers, board storage and separate changing rooms when you book onto activities with them.

Fistral Beach Surf School

Based on Fistral Beach, the Home of British Surfing, there is no better place to enjoy surfing the Cornish waves. Open all year Fistral Beach Surf School has the largest selection of surf hire in the UK, and a team of instructors dedicated to making the most of everyone’s time in the water.

The Surf Club Cornwall, Mawgan Porth – staying at Primrose & Arnold Cottage

Owned and managed by Nick Tiscoe, an ISA Level 2 surf coach who has been surfing for over 20 years. The Surf Club overlooks Mawgan Porth beach and is in the perfect location for beginners. The sandy beach is kindly protected by two headlands. Opt for private, family or group lessons. Wetsuits, boots, gloves and surfboards are all included in the lesson price.

Polzeath Surf Schools

You’ll be spoilt for choice in Polzeath! Learning to surf here is something the village is famed for. The surfing conditions are usually great for both inexperienced and experienced surfers. You’ll find people enjoying the waves even on the chilliest of days.

Surf’s Up Surf School

The original Polzeath surf school. Established in 1995, Surf’s Up claim to have taught more people in the UK to surf than any other surf school and have been at the forefront of surf coaching for 22 years.

George’s Surf School

Owned by the inspirational George Stoy. Passionate about surf instruction, George’s Surf School has been designated a centre of excellence by Surfing England. Stoy focuses on improving surfers’ confidence. With a belief in making surfing accessible to all, he has pioneered projects such as the Polzeath Ladies Surf Club, which sees around 50 local women surfing together twice a week. The school takes children as young as four.

Wavehunters Surf School

Teaches surfers of all abilities. Wavehunters is more than just a surf school at Polzeath beach. They also have paddle boards at Rock and sea safari trips on big RIB’s from Padstow.

Global Boarders, Praa Sands – staying at Acton Castle

Often overlooked, the surfing at Praa Sands surf school is suitable for all abilities and makes a great venue to escape the often more crowded north coast beaches during peak months. It’s also home to one of Cornwall’s best, most-powerful barrelling waves on high tide. Lessons with Global Boarders are tailored to suit every individual need. There are numerous options to choose from, be it a group, one to one, day camps, development squad.

& finally, for something different…

FlowRider, Padstow

Here you can surf a wave every day! FlowRider Cornwall, based at Retallack Resort and Spa, is the county’s only FlowRider and allows people of all abilities to surf every day of the year no matter what the conditions are like.