Cornwall’s best surf schools for beginners

Surfing by Adam Gibbard 

Cornwall is famous for many things, but few spring to mind more readily than surfing. It’s time to dust off the wetsuits, hit the waves and learn to surf with some of the best surf schools around. 

Bude – The Big Blue Surf School

Based in the north Cornish town of Bude, the Big Blue Surf School has been teaching people to surf for more than 15 years. The seaside town has several excellent surf beaches in the area, such as Sandymouth, Crooklets and Widemouth Bay. Meet your instructors at Summerleaze Beach car park, where they will provide you with all of the health and safety advice, training and equipment required to enjoy your beginner surfing lesson.

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Newquay – Fistral Beach Surf School

Fistral Beach is a world-class surfing beach, and this surf school is the only one located right there on the beach in the International Surfing Centre. Known as ‘the home of British surfing’, learning to surf on Fistral Beach will provide you with one of the best surf experiences for families, groups or individuals.

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Polzeath – Surf’s Up! Surf School

Surf’s Up! is recognised as one of the top surf training centres in the UK, and has taught surfers on Polzeath Beach for more than 30 years. The group lessons last around two hours with the highly qualified instructors, making you feel at ease as a first-time surfer. They supply the wetsuit and board, so all you need to remember is a towel!

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Harlyn – Harlyn Surf School

Described by the Sunday Times as ‘the best surf school on the north Cornish coast’, Harlyn Surf School is one of the best places in Cornwall for beginners to learn to surf. The beach is located just a few miles from Padstow, and is also known to be one of Cornwall’s safest family beaches. The surf lessons are fun, safe and are suitable for all ages and abilities. 

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St Ives – St Ives Surf School

Another place which is highly regarded as one of the best places to learn to surf in Cornwall is St Ives Surf School. The team aims to provide an unforgettable experience in their fun, safe lessons which are run from Porthmeor Beach right in the heart of the town.

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