Intro

Howdy folks, in today’s post we’ll be looking at the ‘Best Places To Surf in Cornwall’.

As one of the most well known places in the UK for great surfing – I’ve compiled literally everything you’d want to know before your visit. This guide has it all, from forecasts, wave types and best conditions to surf lessons and rental equipment availability all the way to local restaurant recommendations and parking.

Rest assured, I’ve got you covered! In no particular order, here are the surf spots we’ll be looking at…

1. Fistral Beach
2. Perranporth Beach
3. Polzeath Beach
4. Watergate Bay
5. Sennen Cove
6. Porthleven
7. Gwithian Beach
8. Praa Sands
9. Porthtowan Beach

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1. Fistral Beach

Fistral Beach, located in Newquay, is one of the most famous surfing destinations in the UK. Known for its consistent and powerful waves, it attracts surfers from around the world and even hosts surf competitions like the English National Surfing Championship and Boardmasters Festival. The beach features golden sands and dramatic cliffs, offering stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.

The area surrounding Fistral has a variety of facilities, including surf schools, equipment rentals, cafes, and restaurants, making it a great location. The beach is easily accessible, with parking available nearby, and it’s within walking distance of Newquay town center.

Fistral Beach

Type of Wave

Fistral is a beach break that offers wave ranges from small, manageable sizes ideal for beginners to large, hollow barrels that challenge even experienced surfers. In terms of wave size, you’ll likely get 2-4ft in Summer, 6-10ft in Winter and somewhere in between for Spring and Autumn.

Typical wave length at Fistral beach is between 50-150m but can extend up to 200m on a day with good conditions. Talking about good conditions, this place really produces with a West North West swell and East South East winds. If those directions seem a bit confusing, take a quick look at my ‘How to Read a Surf Report’ post that explains swell direction and wind direction in an easy to understand way.

The North end of the beach offers one of the best beach breaks in the UK, and the South end can offer sheltered waves for South Westerly winds if needed.

Current forecast

Here’s the Fistral Beach surf forecast for the next 48 hours, thanks to surf-forecast.com.

Level of Surfing Required

Beginner friendly in the Summer months, otherwise intermediate and above.

Due to its position facing the Atlantic, Fistral can produce powerful waves. In the Summer when the swells aren’t so big, the waves on offer are great for beginners looking to start their surfing journey.

However, when things start to ramp up – this is not really the place for a beginner surfer. Intermediates can enjoy Fistral as it offers consistently good waves that provide lots of opportunities to improve key skills, such as bottom turns.

Where this place really shines though is with those big Atlantic swells in those Autumn and Winter months. It’s ability to produce fast, hollow waves that create barrels can challenge even the most experienced surfers – and is one reason it’s such a renowned surf spot in the UK.

Surfing Lessons

Yes.

Fistral Beach Surf School is one of the most well-known surf schools in Newquay offering lessons to all levels, from beginners to advanced surfers. If they’re struggling for availability, Quicksilver Surf School Newquay would be your next best bet, and they’re located right on the beach on the South side.

It goes without saying that wetsuit and surfboard rental is included in the lesson price, but be sure to check availability before your visit.

Fistral Beach Surf School;

• £45 – Group lesson / half day / 2 hours
• £105 – Private lesson (1 person) / half day / 2 hours

Quicksilver Surf School Newquay;

• £45 – Group lesson / half day / 2 hours
• £105 – Private lesson (1 person) / half day / 2 hours
• £160 – Private lesson (2 people) / half day / 2 hours

Surfboard & Wetsuit Rentals

Yes.

Just interested in renting some gear? Fistral Beach Surf Hire can sort you out, they offer all the gear you’d want for all surfer levels. Alongside their offer of surfing lessons, Quicksilver Surf School Newquay also just rent out equipment.

Fistral Beach Surf Hire;

• £7 – Surfboard rental / 1 hour
• £12 – Surfboard rental / 1 day
• £5 – Wetsuit rental / 1 hour
• £8 – Wetsuit rental / 1 day

Quicksilver Surf School Newquay;

• £15 – Surfboard rental / 1 day
• £10 – Wetsuit rental / 1 day

Parking

There’s a couple of solid parking options near Fistral beach. The most popular and closest to the beach is aptly called Fistral Beach car park. This is towards the North end of the beach and is a short stay car park (overnight parking is not allowed).

If it’s parking overnight you need, South Fistral car park is the one you want. It is a bit further away and towards the South end of Fistral beach (as the name suggests) but is better value and offers longer stays.

Fistral Beach Car Park, TR7 1HY

• 200 spaces
• Mon-Sun: 08:00 – 02:00 (Free outside these hours)
• Height restriction: 7ft 3″
• 3 hours – £6
• 14 hours (longest time available at this car park) – £15

South Fistral Car Park, TR7 1NX

• 250 spaces
• Mon-Sun: 09:00 – 16:00 (Apr-Oct) / Mon-Sun: All Day (Nov-Mar)
• Height restriction: 6ft 0″
• FREE after 4pm (Apr-Oct)
• 4 hours – £4.80 (Apr-Oct)
• 24 hours – £6.40 (Apr-Oct) / £1 (Nov-Mar)
• Weekly – £50.75 (Apr-Oct) / £4 (Nov-Mar)

Food

My favourite place to grab food after a long day amongst the breakers is from The Fish House. This place offers fantastic views at golden hour, whilst serving up some of the best fresh seafood in Cornwall. It’s got a  great rustic vibe and won Trip Advisors Travellers Choice Award 2023 – need I say more?

Of course, The Fish House can get quite busy during peak season. For that reason, I’d recommend The Harbour Fish & Grill as a fantastic back up option. It’s only a 10 minute walk from The Fish House but continues to offer great views of the harbour and serves up top-notch grub.

2. Perranporth Beach

Perranporth Beach (also known as Perran Beach) is another iconic surfing destination situated on the North coast of Cornwall. It’s known for its three mile stretch of golden sands (at low tide) and consistent surf. With sand dunes, historic tidal pools and rugged cliffs – Perranporth offers a fantastically diverse coastal landscape.

Your typical surfing necessities including surf schools, equipment rentals, beachside cafes, and restaurants all feature close by. The beach is accessible with ample parking, and there’s also a regular bus service connecting Perranporth with other Cornish towns.

Perranporth Beach

Type of Wave

Perranporth Beach features a beach break that can accommodate surfers of all skill levels. Summer waves are perfect for beginners, but as the seasons rotate wave size and power becomes more challenging – with the biggest waves arriving in the Winter months. Typical wave heights range from 2-4ft in the Summer and up to 6-8ft in the Winter, with Autumn and Spring conditions somewhere in between.

The waves at Perranporth generally break between 50-150m, but can peel for up to 200m. The best surfing conditions occur with a West or Northwest swell and an East or Southeast wind. For a deeper understanding of how these factors influence wave conditions, refer to my ‘How to Read a Surf Report’ post.

The central and Southern parts of the beach offer more consistent breaks, and the large headland can provide sheltered waves during strong winds.

Current forecast

Here’s the Perranporth Beach surf forecast for the next 48 hours, thanks to surf-forecast.com.

Level of Surfing Required

Beginner.

Perranporth is beginner-friendly, especially during the Summer. It’s an ideal spot for those new to surfing, with plenty of room to practice without overcrowding.

However, like most Cornish surf spots, the Autumn and Winter months are a different story. With its position facing the Atlantic Ocean, Perranporth waves can get significantly larger and more powerful. Intermediate surfers will find plenty of opportunities to sharpen skills, whereas advanced surfers can enjoy the fast and hollow waves that feature in the Winter months.

Surfing Lessons

Yes.

Perranporth Surf School is a well-established surf school right on the beach thats been offering surf lessons for over 20 years. With tutoring for absolute newbies all the way up to big wave experts they’ve got you covered. If they’re fully booked, Stoked Surf School is another great option. They offer a similar service accompanied by a brilliant way of assessing and communicating a surfers ability using differently coloured wristbands.

Both surf schools include wetsuit and surfboard rentals in the lesson price, but it’s always a good idea to book in advance to secure your spot.

Perranporth Surf School:

• £40 – Group lesson / half day / 2 hours
• £65 – Family lesson (2 people) / half day / 2 hours
• £115 – Family lesson (4 people) / half day / 2 hours
• £100 – Private lesson (1 person) / half day / 2 hours
• £150 – Private lesson (2 people) / half day / 2 hours

Stoked Surf School:

• £45 – Group lesson / half day / 2 hours
• £80 – Group lesson / full day / 4 hours (can be taken over 2 days)
• £75 – Family lesson (2 people) / half day / 2 hours
• £130 – Family lesson (4 people) / half day / 2 hours
• £90 – Private lesson (1 person) / half day / 2 hours
• £130 – Private lesson (2 people) / half day / 2 hours

Surfboard & Wetsuit Rentals

Yes.

For those looking to just rent gear, Stoked Surf School has got you sorted there as well. They offer rentals for softboards, custom hardboards and even bodyboards as well as wetsuits for all ages. They’re open 7-days a week through the peak season (April to October) and offer a range of rental periods.

Stoked Surf School:

• £15 – Surfboard rental (Softboard) / 1 day
• £25 – Surfboard rental (Hardboard) / 1 day
• £10 – Wetsuit rental (Kids) / 1 day
• £12.50 – Wetsuit rental (Adults) / 1 day

Parking

Parking at Perranporth Beach is straightforward, with a couple of popular options. For short stays the most convenient is Perranporth Beach Car Park (also known as Car Park on the Promenade). You can park here until 8pm, but there’s no overnight parking available for the purpose of sleeping/camping.

If you need longer-term parking, the Wheal Leisure car park is much a better option. You can be parked in this car park for up to SEVEN months, as with most car parks in the UK the vehicles are not allowed to be occupied overnight. This car park also offers free parking in the off-peak season between Nov-Mar for all you Winter surfers!

Perranporth Beach Car Park, TR6 0JL

• 145 spaces
• Mon-Sun: All day
• Height restriction: 7ft 0″
• 4 hours – £7
• 24 hours (longest time available at this car park) – £15

Wheal Leisure Car Park, TR6 0EY

• 145 spaces
• Mon-Sun: 09:00 – 00:00 (Apr-Oct) / Mon-Sun: All day (Nov-Mar)
• No height restriction
• All day – FREE (Nov-Mar)
• 4 hours – £6.80 (Apr-Oct)
• 24 hours – £10.50 (Apr-Oct)
• Weekly – £26.30 (Apr-Oct)
• Monthly – £99.75 (Apr-Oct)

Food

After a long day of surfing or soaking up the sun, I highly recommend heading to The Watering Hole. This beachside bar is actually on the beach and proudly claims to be the ‘UK’s only bar on the beach’. It’s a huge pub with lots of indoor and outdoor seating, offering unbeatable views of the sunset while you enjoy a meal. It’s a relaxed spot, perfect for unwinding after a day amongst the waves.

If The Watering Hole doesn’t appeal, try the nearby Pavilion Boatshed Restaurant. It’s a short walk from the beach and offers a cozy, rustic setting with excellent seafood and stunning views of the coast.

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3. Polzeath Beach

Our third Cornish surf spot is Polzeath Beach, which is also nestled on the Northern coastline.

Known for its expansive sandy beach and consistent waves, Polzeath offers a vibrant surf scene with a friendly, laid-back atmosphere. Similar in setting to Fistral and Perranporth, Polzeath is set against a backdrop of rugged cliffs and rolling hills, providing stunning views even if you’re not surfing.

Polzeath Beach

Type of Wave

Polzeath Beach features a mellow beach break that’s ideal for beginners and intermediates. The waves themselves typically range from 1-3ft in the Summer months but can reach 4-6ft in Winter, offering more of a challenge for those who want it.

The waves at Polzeath break over a sandy bottom and usually offer rides between 50-100m, with longer rides possible in favourable conditions. The best surfing conditions at Polzeath are usually a West or Northwest swell and an East or Southeast wind (check out my ‘How to Read a Surf Report’ for more info on surf swells and what they mean). These conditions shape the waves into clean, rideable lines that are perfect for practicing turns and manoeuvres.

The central part of the beach is the most consistent for surf, while the Northern end (near Pentire Point) can offer more shelter during Southwesterly winds.

Current forecast

Here’s the Polzeath Beach surf forecast for the next 48 hours, thanks to surf-forecast.com.

Level of Surfing Required

Beginner.

Polzeath is a beginner-friendly beach, particularly during the Summer when conditions are more forgiving. It’s an ideal spot for those new to surfing, with gentle waves that allow for steady progression.

Intermediate surfers will also find plenty to enjoy here. The consistent waves provide a great environment for refining technique and gaining confidence in the water. While Polzeath doesn’t offer the same level of challenge as some of the more renowned Cornish surf spots, it’s a fantastic place to build a solid foundation in surfing.

For advanced surfers, Polzeath can still be fun on the big days… however, it’s more of a place to enjoy a chilled vibe rather than seeking out heavy, barreling waves.

Surfing Lessons

Yes.

Two options spring to mind when thinking about surfing lessons in Polzeath. The first is Wavehunters who offer the more tradition set of surf lessons (large group / private sessions). The second is George’s Surf School who also offer traditional private surf lessons but lean more into surfing courses spread over a few days.

Both offer fantastic learning sessions for surfers of all abilities, so it’s more a question of the type of surfing lessons you had in mind. If it’s a casual visit to Polzeath with some surfing attached, I’d recommend Wavehunters. If there’s a specific focus on really honing those surfing skills over a bit more time, George’s Surf School would be the one to go for.

Important – Wavehunters surf lessons include the wetsuit and surfboard rental in the price, but George’s Surf School charges £5 per lesson for wetsuit rental (surfboard rental included in the price).

Wavehunters:

• £45 – Group lesson / half day / 2 hours
• £110 – Private lesson (1 person) / half day / 2 hours
• £140 – Private lesson (2 people) / half day / 2 hours

George’s Surf School:

• £150 – Private lesson (1 person) / half day / 3 hours
• £200 – Private lesson (2 people) / half day / 3 hours
• £250 – Immersive courses (1 person) / weekend or 2 days / 3 hours per day
• £350 – Immersive courses (1 person) / 3 days / 3 hours per day
• £550 – Immersive courses (1 person) / 5 days / 3 hours per day

Surfboard & Wetsuit Rentals

Yes.

If you’re only interested in renting some gear and bombing into the waves, Wavehunters will get you fixed up. Interestingly, Wavehunters also offer boat trips, water taxi tickets and beach yoga sessions! Wavehunters are also conveniently located on the beach, making it easy to grab your gear and go.

If you’re only looking to rent equipment for an hour, Surf’s Up! Surf School is the one to use.

Wavehunters:

• £20 – Surfboard rental (Softboard) / 1 day
• £25 – Surfboard rental (Hardboard) / 1 day
• £15 – Wetsuit rental / 1 day

Surf’s Up! Surf School:

• £6 – Surfboard rental (Softboard) / 1 hour
• £20 – Surfboard rental (Softboard) / 1 day
• £6 – Wetsuit rental / 1 hour
• £15 – Wetsuit rental / 1 day

Parking

Parking at Polzeath Beach is pretty easy going, with options right on the beach. The main Polzeath Beach Car Park is located right by the sand, ideal for a stress free visit. Worth mentioning, this car park stays open until 6pm (Apr-Oct) and doesn’t permit overnight stays (unless the vehicle is unoccupied). For those surfing in the Winter, parking is free in the off-peak season (Nov-Mar) after 4pm!

For those planning on staying the weekend and are lucky enough to own a motorhome / camper van, Tristram Caravan Park is a great choice. It’s located on the hillside overlooking the beach and offers that flexibility for extended stays.

Polzeath Beach Car Park, PL27 6SS

• 260 spaces
• Mon-Sun: 09:00 – 18:00 (Apr-Oct) / Mon-Sun: 09:00 – 16:00 (Nov-Mar)
• No height restrictions
• FREE after 4pm (Nov-Mar)
• 4 hours – £6.80 (Apr-Oct) / £5 (Nov-Mar)
• 24 hours – £10.50 (Apr-Oct) / £6.30 (Nov-Mar)
• Weekly – £26.30 (Apr-Oct) / £15.80 (Nov-Mar)

Tristram Caravan Park, PL27 6TP

• No height restrictions
• Overnight camping allowed
• 2 nights (Minimum) – From £80, depending on length of vehicle

Food

After a day in the waves, head to local favourite The Oystercatcher for a spot of pub grub with a view. Located up the hill from the beach it’s a great place to unwind and soak up that golden hour goodness.

If The Oystercatcher is a bit of a stretch, TJ’s Surf Cafe is another excellent post surf food choice. Located right next to the beach, it’s much closer than The Oystercatcher and offers a fantastic selection of dishes. It’s got a chilled vibe, offers sliced pork sausages for doggo’s and has a rooftop terrace…what’s not to like!?

4. Watergate Bay

Just up the coast from Fistral beach is our fourth great surf spot in Cornwall, Watergate Bay.

Known for its gorgeous stretch of golden sand, fantastic cliff side scenery and consistently good waves. Privately owned, Watergate Bay offers a welcoming atmosphere for visitors of all ages.

The area around Watergate Bay is well-equipped with facilities, including surf schools, equipment rentals, and a selection of places to eat. The beach is easily accessible with two nearby carparks, and there’s also great transport links to Newquay town centre if you fancy it.

Watergate Bay

Type of Wave

Watergate Bay is one of the most reliable beach breaks in the UK. The waves are very friendly in the Summer months and are perfect for those learning to surf. As the seasons move into Winter these same waves can reach up to 6-8ft, offering experienced surfers plenty to play with.

Fairly standard when it comes to ride length, with 50-150m the typical range. The best conditions to be surfing at Watergate Bay are a West or Northwest swell and an East or Southeast wind. If you’ve got that combo you’re in for a treat. Just gonna keep plugging my ‘How to Read a Surf Report’ for those who may have missed it above.

The Northern end of the beach near Stem Point tends to be more sheltered, so a great feature on a windy day (if you don’t mind the walk). While the central and southern parts of the beach can provide more powerful and challenging waves.

Current forecast

Here’s the Watergate Bay surf forecast for the next 48 hours, thanks to surf-forecast.com.

Level of Surfing Required

Watergate Bay is very beginner friendly – particularly in the Summer, if that’s you – this is a great surf spot.

Intermediate surfers will also find plenty to enjoy here, the consistent waves offer opportunities to hone skills in a spacious environment.

For those advanced surfers, you lot can look forward to the powerful swells that arrive in Autumn and Winter. While Watergate Bay might not produce the same heavy barrels as some of Cornwall’s surf spots (Fistral immediately comes to mind) – it still offers plenty of thrills on those bigger days.

Surfing Lessons

Yes.

Watergate Bay is home to a number of excellent surf schools, with West Country Surf School being one of the most popular. They offer a number of options when it comes to lessons, from single and private lessons to surf courses. All options include your wetsuit and surfboard in the price so no need to bring anything with you.

Another great alternative for surf lessons at Watergate Bay is Blue Surf School. They also offer traditional lessons (broken out by surfing ability) and surf courses. Wetsuits and surfboards also included in the price with these guys.

West Country Surf School

• £39 – Group lesson (1 person) / half day / 2 hours
• £100 – Private lesson (1 person) / half day / 2 hours
• £120 – Private lesson (2 people) / half day / 2 hours
• £78 – 2 day course (1 person) / 2x half day / 4 hours
• £110 – 3 day course (1 person) / 3x half day / 6 hours

Blue Surf School

• £30 – Kids lesson (1 person) / half day / 1.5 hours
• £40 – Beginner Group lesson (1 person) / half day / 2 hours
• £45 – Improver Group lesson (1 person) / half day / 2 hours
• £100 – Private lesson (1 person) / half day / 2 hours
• £120 – Private lesson (2 people) / half day / 2 hours

Surfboard & Wetsuit Rentals

Yes.

Making their second appearance in this list we have Wavehunters. These guys provide top notch rentals right next to the beach at Watergate Bay and are the easiest way to sort out some rental gear.

If you wanted to hire wetsuits and surfboards in advance for a holiday, give West Country Surf School a call (Phone number is on their website). They’re very accommodating and will be very happy to help with a bespoke rental order.

Wavehunters:

• £20 – Surfboard rental (Softboard) / 1 day
• £25 – Surfboard rental (Hardboard) / 1 day
• £15 – Wetsuit rental / 1 day

Parking

Parking at Watergate Bay is good, there are two main car parks within close proximity to the beach. The closest car park is the Watergate Bay Beach car park, it’s left of the main walkway as you walk down to the beach (Next to a big ice cream shipping container). This car park does have an ANPR camera that reads number plates, so be sure to get a ticket.

If that one is full, which is highly likely during the Summer months… I’d head to the larger Watergate Bay car park, which is often used as the overflow. Situated a minute up the road, this car park has a LOT more room and charges about the same. There’s also no height restriction in this car park, if you’re in a tall van.

Watergate Bay Beach Car Park, TR8 4AY

• 150 spaces
• Mon-Sun: 09:00 – 06:00 (Free outside these hours)
• Height restriction: 8ft 2″
• 3 hours – £5.50
• 21 hours – £8.50 (Longest time available at this car park)

Watergate Bay Car Park (Overflow), TR8 4AD

• 400 spaces
• Mon-Sun: 09:00 – 00:00 (Apr-Oct) / Mon-Sun: All day (Nov-Mar)
• No height restriction
• FREE all Winter (Nov-Mar)
• 4 hours – £6.80 (Apr-Oct)
• 24 hours – £10.50 (Apr-Oct)
• Weekly – £26.30 (Apr-Oct)
• Monthly – £99.75 (Apr-Oct)

Food

One thing that Watergate Bay truly excels in (in my opinion) is the post surfing grub on offer.

For great value food and an even better view head to The Beach Hut. Situated just above the beach, this chilled cafe features some pretty nice windows (trust me) and even nicer views during golden hour.

If you’re after a place that has cider on tap, head up the road to WAX (this is where you’d typically find me… sometimes even before a surf 😅). There’s some proper pub grub featured here, from pizzas and burgers to local fish and desserts.

After something for a certain special occasion? Make a booking at Zacry’s. Located right on the beach (in the Watergate Bay Hotel) this fine establishment serves unbelievable food and equally good views. It’s on the pricier side, but well worth it considering the high standard dining experience you’ll receive in return.

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5. Sennen Cove

Our most South Westerly surfing spot on this list (and possibly the UK as a whole) is a charming place called Sennen Cove.

This place is a wonderful mix of small time fishing village meets unreal surfing conditions. Located right next to Land’s End at the tip of Cornwall, it’s easy to understand why this place is known for good waves.

You’ll find all the usual amenities… surf schools, equipment rentals and food options dotted around this family-friendly destination with a chilled vibe.

Sennen Cove

Type of Wave

Sennen Cove offers up a crystal clear beach break suitable for all surfers in the Summer months and experienced surfers from Autumn through to Spring.

Gentle swells range from 2-4ft in those hotter months, so is ideal for beginners needing some whitewater to stand up on. During the Winter, these same waves can grow to 10ft so definitely appealing more to experienced surfers.

Typical rides can be between 50-150m and the best surfing conditions consist of a West or Northwest swell and an East or Southeast wind. Of course no wind is almost as good as an onshore winds, so if there’s no wind – that’s good too. Again, feel free to check out my ‘How to Read a Surf Report’ for super easy info on understanding surf conditions.

If you’re a beginner, the harbour side of the beach is often more sheltered so can offer a less intense session if the waves get too big.

Current forecast

Here’s the Sennen Cove surf forecast for the next 48 hours, thanks to surf-forecast.com.

Level of Surfing Required

Beginner.

Like so many places on our list so far, Sennen Cove is a great place to learn to surf. The gentle beach break in the Summer (familiar to so many surf spots in Cornwall) can help give beginners that first taste of surfing in a safe environment. It’s then no surprise that all the facilities and equipment are also available for those looking to learn.

Make no mistake though, Sennen Cove is a proper surf spot that can pump out gorgeous ocean corduroy when the conditions are right.

Intermediate surfers can enjoy excellent opportunities in the changing seasons (Autumn and Spring) to hone their techniques with more powerful sessions. The beach width as well as the sheltered harbour area makes it easy to find a spot that suits your skill level.

If you’re lucky enough to be one of those advanced surfers, Sennen Cove if simply a place you can enjoy. It may not have the heaviest barrels in Cornwall, but it arguably has the most picturesque – and when conditions hit, this place is hard to beat.

Surfing Lessons

Yes.

Sennen Cove is lucky to house two extremely good options for surfing tuition. One is Sennen Surfing Centre and the other is Smart Surf School, both very competent and offer great lesson options. Sennen Surfing Centre offers private tuition so if that’s what you’re after I’d recommend them. If you’re after a taster session, I’d go with Smart Surf School as that’s their bag (and it’s ever so slightly cheaper).

Both surf schools include wetsuit and surfboard rental in the lesson price, ensuring you have everything you need for a fun and productive session.

Sennen Surfing Centre:

• £35 – Group lesson / 1-day / 1.5 hours
• £70 – Group lesson / 2-days / 2x 1.5 hours
• £90 – Private lesson (1 person) / 1-day / 1.5 hours
• £120 – Private lesson (2 people) / 1-day / 1.5 hours

Smart Surf School:

• £30 – Group lesson / 1-day / 1.5 hours
• £60 – Group lesson / 2-days / 2x 1.5 hours
• £90 – Group lesson / 3-days / 3x 1.5 hours
• £120 – Group lesson / 4-days / 4x 1.5 hours
• £140 – Group lesson / 5-days / 5x 1.5 hours

Surfboard & Wetsuit Rentals

Yes.

After a wetsuit and a board for the day? No problem, you can get both from the ground floor of the Beach Complex, which is the first building next to the beach on the harbour side. They also offer rental equipment for half a day so if that’s your bag, they can facilitate that too. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a website for these guys so is one to do on the day.

Important – If you’re looking to hire a board they will be asking for photo ID, so don’t forget to take that with you. They also ask for a £10 deposit for any wetsuit or surfboard rental.

Sennen Beach Hire:

• £13 – Surfboard rental (Softboard) / 3 hours
• £18 – Surfboard rental (Softboard) / 1 day
• £15 – Surfboard rental (Hardboard) / 3 hours
• £20 – Surfboard rental (Hardboard) / 1 day
• £8 – Wetsuit rental / 3 hours or less
• £10 – Wetsuit rental / 1 day

Parking

There’s two main car parks available at Sennen Cove, one situated right next to the beach (Sennen Beach Car Park) and the overflow up the hill (Top Park car park). Neither of these car parks allow overnight camping, but you can park your car in Sennen Beach Car Park for 24 hours (unoccupied). If you don’t mind a walk, the overflow up the hill is cheaper and much less likely to fill up, especially in the peak season.

Important – Both car parks are using those fancy cameras that track number plates, so ensure to pay for your stay.

Sennen Beach Car Park, TR19 7DG

• 170 spaces
• Mon-Sun: All day
• No height restrictions
• 3 hours – £3.90
• 8 hours – £6
• 24 hours (Longest time available at this car park) – £9

Sennen Top Car Park, TR19 7BT

• Large grassed area
• Mon-Sun: All day
• No height restrictions
• 2 hours – £2.50
• All day – £5

Food

There’s really only one stand out option for the real foodies in Sennen Cover and that’s The Old Success Inn. A quaint Cornish pub with a cozy atmosphere and stunning sea views, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a hearty meal after a long session. The menu features a variety of dishes, with a focus on fresh seafood – it’s a local favourite that won’t disappoint.

If there’s no room at the inn (pun fully intended 😏), Blue Lagoon is a great back-up fish and chips takeaway just down the road.

6. Porthleven

Our sixth ‘Best’ surf spot along the expansive Cornish coastline is Porthleven.

Situated on Cornwall’s South coast, Porthleven is another fantastically charming harbour town that’s gained a reputation for its powerful surf. With a rugged coastline that creates an interesting reef break, Porthleven is certainly the most challenging surf spot on this Cornwall list.

Porthleven town is full of character and holds up well without any surf, with a number of cafes, restaurants, and shops lining the harbour.

Porthleven

Type of Wave

As I mentioned, Porthleven has become famous for its powerful reef break.

This reef break produces some of the most challenging waves in the UK, combine that with powerful Atlantic swells – it’s no surprise this place has earned its reputation.

As with most beaches in the UK, Summer months are when swells are at their most gentle. In those warmer months Porthleven typically sees swells between 2-4ft, which sounds manageable but the nature of the reef break makes it a much more difficult challenge. The swell size ramps all the way up to 8-12ft in the Winter, so make sure you’ve got your grown-up pants on if venturing into that type of session.

In terms of conditions, you’re after a Southwest swell and Northeast wind, both help to clean up the waves and create those iconic barrels. My ‘How to Read a Surf Report’ gives some great info on the effect wind plays in creating good surfing conditions, if you’re interested.

Current forecast

Here’s the Porthleven surf forecast for the next 48 hours, thanks to surf-forecast.com.

Level of Surfing Required

Advanced.

I’d say it’s doable for confident intermediate surfers, but only ever during small swells. The reef break requires skill to navigate and it’s crucial to respect the conditions and only paddle out if you’re confident in your abilities. If you’re unsure out of your depth, or don’t have a high level of water confidence this is not the place to find that out.

For advanced surfers, Porthleven could be your new favourite surf spot on the Cornish coast. The fast, hollow waves during those colder months can produce memorable rides that really test the best. It’s a wave that demands respect but repays ten-fold to those who’re up for the challenge.

Surfing Lessons

No.

Surfboard & Wetsuit Rentals

No.

Parking

There are two car parks available at Porthleven, one fairly close to the harbour and the other a walk up the hill.

The one close to the harbour and my recommendation is called Kittos Field (although it’s not actually a field). This one is a long stay car park with the ability to park your car (unoccupied overnight) for a up to a week. There’s just over 50 spaces so not massive but certainly closer than the next option, and also FREE after 4pm.

Up the hill we have our backup car park known as Shrubberies car park or Top Park. This one is a walk up the hill (and around half the size) from the waves but the silver lining is that it’s FREE all day, everyday. Of course, usual rules apply regarding no overnight camping / sleeping.

Kittos Field Car Park, TR13 9JX

• 59 spaces
• Mon-Sun: 09:00 – 16:00 (Apr-Oct) / Mon-Sun: 09:00 – 16:00 (Nov-Mar)
• No height restrictions
• FREE after 4pm
• 4 hours – £5 (Apr-Oct) / £2.60 (Nov-Mar)
• 24 hours – £6.30 (Apr-Oct) / £3.70 (Nov-Mar)
• Weekly – £15.80 (Apr-Oct) / £9.20 (Nov-Mar)

Shrubberies Car Park, TR13 9EA

• 32 spaces
• Mon-Sun: All day
• No height restrictions
• 24 hours – FREE

Food

Whether you’ve braved the waves or not, there are some great spots to eat in Porthleven.

My first recommendation, and this place is something of a big deal… is The Square At Porthleven. Offering fantastic food at a fair price and being awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand (Grade below a Michelin star) in 2021, this place is different gravy. It’s a popular spot though so be sure to reserve a table for dinner if it’s one you want to visit.

If you’re looking for something a bit different, check out Kota Kai. The product of chef Jude Kereama (who’s featured on BBC2’s popular Great British Menu), this award winning bar / kitchen serves up a fusion of asian cuisines. Located right on the harbour, this is a perfect spot to unwind with some high quality dining and a view for days.

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7. Gwithian Beach

Our next beach on this Cornwall surf spot list is Gwithian Beach, located on the Northern Cornish coastline (near St Ives).

Stretching for miles, Gwithian is part of the larger St Ives Bay and offers some of the best surfing conditions in Cornwall. Expect consistent surf, golden sands, rolling dunes and a decent number of surfers. The surrounding area is well-equipped with surf schools, cafes, and a beach shop and the expansive beach provides plenty of space, even during peak season. Parking is available nearby, and the beach is easily accessible from Hayle and other nearby towns.

Gwithian Beach

Type of Wave

Gwithian Beach is huge so offers a range of waves for different surfing abilities.

It’s a typical beach break that can produce lovely long, peeling waves – particularly when the swell is from the West or North West. Check out my ‘How to Read a Surf Report’ if you want to learn more about the best surfing conditions. In the Summer months you’ll typically get swells between 2-4ft and in the Winter that increases to around 6-8ft. The waves at Gwithian are often clean and well-formed and offer a forgiving surf experience (great for beginners).

The Northern end of the beach near Godrevy is a popular spot for more experienced surfers as the waves are typically a bit bigger and more powerful. If you’re after a more chilled days surfing, head South down the beach as the headland provides a more sheltered experience the further you go.

Current forecast

Here’s the Gwithian Beach surf forecast for the next 48 hours, thanks to surf-forecast.com.

Level of Surfing Required

Beginner.

Gwithian Beach is very beginner-friendly, there’s plenty of space, the waves are a perfect size in the Summer and there’s a good supply of surf schools.

If you’re an intermediate surfer, there’s plenty to enjoy here too. This beach offers a unique variety of waves to choose from with consistent waves in the centre of the beach to more powerful waves towards Godrevy. There’s no doubt you’ll find ample opportunities here to practice bottom turns, moving across the waves face and plenty more.

For those advanced surfers, Gwithian starts firing during the Autumn and Winter months. Those bigger swells create some fantastic wave shapes and it’s towards Godrevy (North end) you’ll get the best of the bunch. This is where you’ll find the majority of seasoned surfers at Gwithian.

Surfing Lessons

Yes.

Global Boarders Surf School Gwithian is one of the most well-regarded surf schools in the area. They offer lessons for all levels, from complete beginners to those looking to fine-tune their skills. The surf school is based at Sunset Surf Cafe next to the main car park (right next to the beach). They’ve been doing what they do best for over 15 years so they’ve got shed loads of experience teaching surfers.

If the surf is forecasted to be a bit flat, Gwithian Surf School is the better option due to their location. They offer a variety of lessons for beginners and improvers and due to their location on the beach they’ll have a better chance of getting waves. If you have a national trust membership there’s also a FREE car park very close to the surf school.

Both surf schools include wetsuit and surfboard rental in the lesson price, ensuring you have everything you need to enjoy your time on the water.

Global Boarders Surf School Gwithian:

• £40 – Group lesson (1 person) / half day / 2 hours
• £75 – Group lesson (1 person) / full day / 2x 2 hours
• £120 – Private lesson (1 person) / half day / 2 hours
• £140 – Private lesson (2 people) / half day / 2 hours

Gwithian Academy of Surfing:

• £45 – Group lesson (1 person) / half day / 2 hours
• £85 – Group lesson (1 person) / full day / 2x 2 hours
• £135 – Private lesson (1 person) / half day / 2 hours
• £135 – Private lesson (2 people) / half day / 2 hours – (Yes, it’s the same price for two people)

Surfboard & Wetsuit Rentals

Yes.

If you just want to rent the equipment, both Global Boarders Surf School Gwithian and Gwithian Surf School have several rental options available. There’s not much difference in price but they’re located at different points on the beach, so might just be a case of which one’s closest to the car.

Global Boards Surf School Gwithian:

• £30 – Surfboard and wetsuit rental / 1 day
• £20 – Surfboard rental / 1 day
• £12 – Wetsuit rental / 1 day

Gwithian Academy of Surfing:

• £15 – Surfboard (Softboard) rental / 1 day
• £20 – Surfboard (Hardboard) rental / 1 day
• £10 – Wetsuit rental / 1 day

Parking

The parking at Gwithian Beach is great with the main car parks being a good sizes and right next to surf schools and rental equipment (if needed).

The main car park is Gwithian Towans Car Park, it’s on the beach and right next to Global Boards Surf School. It’s a long stay car park but if you want to park your car there overnight you’d need a permit. There’s also no overnight camping / sleeping and so motorhomes and campers are prohibited between 11pm-8am.

For those who’re National Trust members, Godrevy Car Park towards the Northern end of the beach is another good option. If you’re not a national trust member that’s also totally fine, you’ll just have to pay the listed prices below.

Gwithian Towans Car Park, TR27 5BT

• 200 spaces
• Mon-Sun: 09:00 – 00:00 (Apr-Oct) / All day (Nov-Mar)
• No height restrictions
• FREE all Winter (Nov-Mar)
• 4 hours – £6.80 (Apr-Oct)
• 24 hours – £10.50 (Apr-Oct)
• Weekly – £26.30 (Apr-Oct)
• Monthly – £99.75 (Apr-Oct)

Godrevy National Trust Car Park, TR27 5ED

• 90 spaces
• Opening times: Dawn-Dusk
• No height restrictions
• All day (Members) – FREE
• 4 hours (Non-Members)  – £4
• All day (Non-Members)  – £8

Food

Unfortunately, there’s not loads of food options near Gwithian Beach – but I do have some suggestions…

On the beach itself you’ve got Kabyn Cafe which serves up great lunchtime type meals (ciabatta, dhal and nachos are some examples) between 12-3.30pm.

If you’re after something a bit more substantial post surf sesh head to the Red River Inn. This is a traditional pub with a great range of cider on tap and tasty food offered at good prices. Worth mentioning it’s a 10 minute drive (or a 25 minute walk) from the beach front and parking is limited.

If you’re after a cozy hot chocolate in those colder months, head to Godrevy Cafe (right next to the National Trust carpark). This chalet style café offers stunning views of Godrevy Lighthouse and serves up a decent range of homemade cakes and lunch options.

8. Praa Sands

Our penultimate surf spot on this list is Praa Sands, just up from Porthleven.

This stretch of golden sand is one of the lesser known spots on the list but offers everything a surfer could want from a day amongst the waves. It’s also a great backup if the North coast of Cornwall is being battered by winds, and fancy a bit more space.

Praa Sands is a simple place…  two carparks, some food spots and surf lesson / rental shops – but all of them are great quality.

Praa Sands

Type of Wave

Praa Sands is a beach break that offers waves suitable for all levels of surfers.

The beach is known for its 2-4ft mellow waves during the Summer, perfect for beginners and intermediates. In the Winter, Praa Sands will appeal to advanced surfers and can get as big as 6-8ft. This kind of size would require a pretty hefty swell from the Atlantic though, due to its location on the South coast. Best surfing conditions for Praa Sands is a Northeast Swell paired with Southwest winds. To understand why these are the best conditions, check out the swell and wind direction bits in my ‘How to Read a Surf Report’.

If conditions are right, rides can last over 150m but you’ll more often find ride lengths between 50-100m.

Current forecast

Here’s the Praa Sands surf forecast for the next 48 hours, thanks to surf-forecast.com.

Level of Surfing Required

Beginner.

Praa Sands can accommodate the most novice surfers wanting to try surfing for the first time. The length of the beach means there’s always plenty of room and the mellow waves make it a great place to start a surfing journey. Because of where Praa Sands is located, it also means the waves themselves are a nice size for learners to begin with.

Intermediate surfers will more likely enjoy Praa Sands, if they take a walk further down the beach towards Hendra. This allows a bit more of the swell power to reach the beach due to the headlands either side. If you’re happy walking, you’ll often be rewarded with a peak to yourself for the day!

Advanced surfers can enjoy Praa Sands but it would only be worth the trip if the conditions are right. If Porthleven is a bit too much, or reef breaks aren’t your thing (but the South coast has unreal conditions) – this could be an unbelievable backup.

Surfing Lessons

Yes.

Two great surf schools at Praa Sands, both of them offering surf lessons for all abilities. The first is Global Boarders Surf School who also featured on our Gwithian Beach list – these guys known their stuff and is the school I’d recommend.

Always great to have a backup option if there’s no availability with Global Boarders, for that backup I’d go with Boatshed Activity Centre. Very well respected in the local area and again offer surf lessons for all abilities. They’re a bit old school in terms of booking and your best bet is to ring them up directly to discuss details (Phone number is on their website).

Both schools are located right next to the beach, so you’ve got easy access to the waves and all equipment is included in the price.

Global Boarders Surf School Praa Sands:

• £40 – Group lesson (1 person) / half day / 2 hours
• £75 – Group lesson (1 person) / full day / 2x 2 hours
• £120 – Private lesson (1 person) / half day / 2 hours
• £140 – Private lesson (2 people) / half day / 2 hours

Boatshed Activity Centre:

• Best to call them direct for pricing

Surfboard & Wetsuit Rentals

Yes.

If you’re just looking to rent surf gear, both surf shops also offer equipment hire. Out of the two I’d recommend going with Global Boarders as the equipment is a bit cheaper to hire for the same amount of time. Don’t forget to take some ID with you as they require that for the rentals.

Global Boards Surf School Praa Sands:

• £30 – Surfboard and wetsuit rental / 1 day
• £20 – Surfboard rental / 1 day
• £12 – Wetsuit rental / 1 day

Boatshed Activity Centre:

• Again, best to call them direct for pricing

Parking

Parking at Praa Sands is very convenient as there’s two options, both right next to the beach.

The first is Praa Sands Beach Car Park, this is a large car park located right next to the beach. During peak season, it can get busy so it’s worth arriving early to secure a spot. There’s no caravans allowed at the car park but motorhomes are totally fine. As with most car parks, overnight stays are not allowed – so cars have to be left unoccupied overnight if booking for 24 hours.

I’d recommend Maggie’s Patch Car Park, which is also located right next to beach but has much cheaper fares!

Praa Sands Beach Car Park, TR20 9TG

• 95 spaces
• Mon-Sun: All day
• No height restrictions
• 4 hours – £3
• 12 hours – £8
• 24 hours – £12
• 3 days – £36

Maggie’s Patch Car Park, TR20 9TG

• 55 spaces
• Mon-Sun: All day
• No height restriction
• 3 hours – £2
• All day – £3
• Overnight – £5

Food

Like I mentioned in the intro, Praa Sands doesn’t have too much on offer – but what is on offer is top quality.

The one (and only) place to grab some top end grub is The Welloe, located inside the Stonereef complex right next to the beach. Luckily for visitors this place serves up lovely food at good prices, with a number of good ciders on tap. It’s also got really cool seating outside that looks out towards to surf. I’d recommend booking a table for dinner as it can get quite busy in peak season (being the only decent option).

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9. Porthtowan Beach

Porthtowan Beach is nestled on Cornwall’s rugged North coast and is a fantastic little surf spot.

It’s well known for its impressive waves and quaint village (that’s practically built into the cliff face). Porthtowan offers a mix of small time Cornish village with gorgeous surf scenery alongside pumping waves. The beach is also a Blue Flag Award winner, which speaks to its high environmental standards and cleanliness. Parking is available right on the beach front, and the beach is easily accessible from the main road.

Porthtowan

Type of Wave

Porthtowan Beach is a classic beach break that chucks out waves for all levels of surfers. Interestingly, there are a few reefs and rocky outcrops that creates some interesting waves, particularly at low tide. So… whether you’re after long, chilled rides or more challenging barrels, Porthtowan has something for everyone.

As you’d expect, the Summer months output smaller more chilled swells with waves ranging from 2-4ft (perfect for beginners and intermediates). Despite the size, the waves here are powerful and fast moving, providing enough excitement to keep everyone happy.

In the Winter, Porthtowan can get intense! Wave heights can reach 6-10ft or more, and if you’ve got a Southwest swell paired with Southeast wind, expect hollow waves built for expert surfers. If you were interested in learning more about surf conditions, here’s my final plug for my ‘How to Read a Surf Report’… just incase you missed it the other eight times 😉.

Current forecast

Here’s the Porthtowan Beach surf forecast for the next 48 hours, thanks to surf-forecast.com.

Level of Surfing Required

Beginner.

As mentioned, Porthtowan offers great beginner-friendly waves during the Summer months. The beach break helps create consistent surf that creates a good environment to learn in. There are also a great surf school located here, which I discuss more below.

Intermediate surfers will find plenty to enjoy at Porthtowan, with consistent waves that are perfect for practicing new skills. The beach’s variety of waves means you can work on everything from basic turns to more advanced maneuvers.

For advanced surfers, Porthtowan really shines in the Autumn-Winter period when the big swells arrive. The powerful waves and fast, hollow barrels can test the most experienced surfers and is one of the reasons the beach upholds its stellar reputation for producing quality waves during those periods.

Surfing Lessons

Yes.

ESKINZO: The Cornish Surf Company is the new kid on the block known for offering high quality lessons for surfers of all levels. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to take your surfing to the next level, their experienced instructors can help you improve. Located in ‘The Unicorn on the Beach’ complex (two minute walk from the beach), the surf school provides easy access to the waves and wetsuit and surfboard rental is included in the price.

ESKINZO Surf School:

• £40 – Group lesson / half day / 2 hours
• £120 – Private lesson / half day / 2 hours

Surfboard & Wetsuit Rentals

Yes.

If you’re only interested in grabbing a wetsuit and board and sprinting into the waves, I understand! ESKINZO do equipment hire as well and their prices are below. If you’d rather get your gear closer to the beach, head to Tris Surf Shop – they’ve been in the biz since ’72 so know their onions about equipment.

ESKINZO Surf School:

• £10 – Surfboard rental / 2 hours
• £15 – Surfboard rental / 1 day
• £8 – Wetsuit rental / 2 hours
• £10 – Wetsuit rental / 1 day
• £15 – Surfboard & Wetsuit rental / 2 hours

Tris Surf Shop:

• £5 – Surfboard rental / 1 hour
• £24 – Surfboard rental / 1 day
• £5 – Wetsuit rental / 1 hour
• £20 – Wetsuit rental / 1 day
• £6 – Surfboard & Wetsuit rental / 1 hour
• £24 – Surfboard & Wetsuit rental / 1 day

Parking

Parking at Porthtowan couldn’t be easier with a Porthtowan Beach car park right next to the beach. This is a long stay car park, but unfortunately no motorhomes or campers are allowed between 11pm-8am. As with most car parks, the vehicle has to be unoccupied if parking overnight. As this is really the only car park option, in peak season it can fill up quickly, so get there early.

Porthtowan Beach Car Park, TR4 8AA

• 151 spaces
• Mon-Sun: 09:00 – 16:00 (Apr-Oct)
• No height restrictions
• FREE after 4pm (Apr-Oct)
• FREE all Winter (Nov-Mar)
• 3 hours – £2.10 (Apr-Oct)
• 24 hours – £3.70 (Apr-Oct)
• Weekly – £9.20 (Apr-Oct)
• Monthly – £34.90 (Apr-Oct)

Food

Considering Porthtowan is on the smaller side, it’s got some pretty decent refuelling options after a surf.

Blue Bar is a local favourite and “Cornwall’s original beach bar and kitchen”. This great food spot offers gorgeous sea-views along with locally sourced dishes. Whether it’s hearty mains, nachos to share or food for the little ones – Blue Bar has got you.

Fancy some traditional fish and chips? Seasmiths Fish and Chips is the place to go, they only do fish and chips for a reason… they’re damn good at it.

If you’re after a relaxed café, try ‘The Unicorn on the Beach’ complex. It serves up a range of sandwiches, cakes, and drinks and is ideal for a quick bite before heading back out into the waves.

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Summary

And that is pretty much the most comprehensive guide I’ve ever written. 😅

If you’ve made it this far I hope you found something useful in those 8,000 words above. If you did, let me know! This one took a lot of time and effort to create and I hope that comes through when you read it. Of course if there’s any spots you think deserve a mention. drop it in the comment section below.

Looking to do more of these types of guides, so watch this space!

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Next read: ‘Ultimate List of Surfing Documentaries to Watch’

The original Best Places To Surf in Cornwall post was created on The Wave Shack

Intro

So guys and girls, this is my well overdue ‘The Wave, Bristol – Session & Lesson Review’. 

I was lucky enough to make a recent trip to test the place out for myself. The following review should be a big help if you’re just about to book that first surf.

If you fancied reading more about The Wave itself, check out my ‘The Wave, Bristol – Everything You Need To Know’ post.

Here are the areas we’ll be covering…

1. Arrival & Parking
2. Surf Desk & Rentals
3. Beginner Lesson Review
4. Advanced Session Review
5. Food & Cafe
6. 10 Tips Before Booking
7. Does It Live Up To The Hype?

It’s a mega useful read if you’re planning a trip to The Wave, so let’s crack on!

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1. Arrival & Parking

Although it may seem fairly easy to search “The Wave, Bristol” on Google maps, I found it a bit more difficult in real life.

If you’ve not been to The Wave before, it’s worth knowing there’s only one main entrance to the site. This entrance is the turn off of the B4055 road towards ‘City Auctioneering’ (as seen on the map below).

Arrival & Parking

Once you’ve turned off the B4055, the carpark is ahead and parking is free.

The check-in cabin is located at the end of the carpark, so is really easy to find. Remember to take all your surfing gear with you as you probably won’t be returning to the car. All that’s left is a 15-minute walk to The Wave.

2. Surf Desk & Rentals

After the ‘warm up’ walk you’ll arrive at the main building, The Clubhouse.

If you’ve got a surfing lesson or session booked the first place you’ll want to go is the Surf Desk to sign in. It’s located on the the same side as the changing rooms and lockers (far left windows on the picture below). 

Surf Desk (Far Left Windows)

The Surf Desk is also the place to go if you want to rent a performance hardboard for an extra £10.

They’re two windows and a queuing system so doesn’t take long to get seen by a wavemaker. After signing in mosey on around to the changing rooms and start getting ready. 

Lockers & Changing Rooms

If you’ve got some time after getting ready – I’d advise watching some waves or getting a last minute stretch in.

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3. Beginner Lesson Review

I’ll start with a review of the beginner lesson, then go onto the advanced session review.

I need to start off by saying my girlfriend took part in the beginner lesson, not me – so this section is reporting back her experience. I also watched the whole thing from the sidelines, so have a good idea of what went down.

The Lesson Plan

First things first is to get the equipment out and sit in a cosy little circle. Once everyone is sat down the instructor will start off with a standard ‘What’s your name and what’s your goal for this lesson?‘ ice breaker.

Beginner Lesson

Once the awkwardness is over, the instructor explains a bit more about the lesson itself. This includes the types of waves to expect, as well as where to enter and exit the water during the lesson.

Each instructor then gives a brief anatomy of the surfboard, a demonstration on ‘Popping-up’ and how to paddle correctly. Everybody has a few goes and it’s finished off with a quick warm up and stretch.

Then, it’s time to get into the water.

Beginner Lesson #2

The group is led into the water in an orderly line by the instructor. Once the waves start up, the instructors help one surfer at a time catch a wave, with an aided push. As mentioned above, the group is told where to exit the water and where to enter – so it remains a safe environment.

After each rotation, the instructors will be giving specific tips to each surfer on what they need to improve. After a few rotations the instructors will be encouraging surfers to paddle into the waves themselves. After almost an hour of practice, the group returns to the circle to breakdown how the lesson went.

Beginner Wave Shape and Size

The beginner lessons takes place in ‘The Bay’ which is the area closest to the shoreline.

Any waves reaching ‘The Bay’ will have already broken (also known as white water waves). This basically means the waves are perfect to learn on. They’re small and foamy but have enough power to push a surfboard along long enough for a beginner to stand up.

Beginner Wave Size

Here are the typical measurements for the waves that happen during a beginner lesson.

• Wave Type: Small white water waves
• Wave Size: 0.8m
• Time Between Waves: 6-8 seconds
• Wave Length: 10-12 seconds

Good things about The Beginner Lesson

• Well organised
• Good balance between surfing theory and actually surfing
• Instructors provide really helpful tips and support
• Small group size resulted in more personalised teaching
• All the equipment provided looked new
• Plenty of time to stand up and improve
• The safe environment helped builds water confidence
• Great value if booked in the off season (Winter months)
• The water is very clean
• Made me want to surf again

Not So Good Things About The Beginner Lesson

• Two groups on one side can make it feel a bit crowded
• Had to wait for my allocated wave before I could try and surf
• You only get one wave per set so there’s pressure to get it right every time
• Queuing system meant I was a bit rushed to set myself for each wave
• Expensive if booked in the peak season (Summer months)

Would I Recommend The Beginner Lesson?

If you’re new to surfing, I would always recommend getting a proper surfing lesson to start your journey. The beginner lessons given at The Wave, Bristol are a fantastic example of this. They offer a really great first experience for complete novices of any age in a safe environment.

I asked my girlfriend if she would recommend the experience, this is what she said…

“The lesson itself was well organised, a lot of fun and I even stood up before the end. The environment felt very safe, which really helped me build my confidence in the water. By the end of the lesson I was totally knackered, but I loved every minute of it – would definitely recommend!“

So, very positive from someone who’d never had a surfing lesson before. If you’re planning on booking that first lesson – don’t forget to read the 10 tips section below before booking.

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4. Advanced Session Review

Now, onto my review of the advanced session… and yes, it was quite chilly when I went (mid October).

“F*** it’s cold”

The Session Plan

Just like the beginner lesson, the wavemakers hold a quick safety briefing 15 minutes before go time. At this stage you’ll need to be changed and ready to get in the water. The briefing includes useful information for first timers and is mandatory for every surf.

Things that are covered in each briefing;

• What to expect from the wave you’re booked on
• Where to paddle out and where to pop-up
• What to do after falling off
• How to signal the lifeguards

Once the briefing has finished, the wavemakers ask you to head over to your respective side. This is when the paddle out to the take off area happens, which also forms the line. Once at the take off area, each surfer takes it in turn to catch their wave.

Advanced Session Paddle Out

Each set contains around twenty waves and once the set has finished the water settles for a few minutes. The session lasts around an hour including 40-45 minutes in the water, so plenty of time to get the legs pumping.

If you want a better idea of the level of surfer on an advanced session, here’s a brief description… Good. Fudging. Surfers. These surfers have more or less nailed their bottom turns so most are working on cutbacks. As I’m still trying to cement my bottom turn, I did feel a bit out of my depth and in hindsight should have probably booked an intermediate session.

Advanced Wave Shape and Size

The advanced sessions take place at ‘The Reef’ – the area furthest from the shore.

‘The Reef’ pumps out green waves that build quickly and are steeper the closer you’re positioned to the wall. This makes your positioning before you catch the wave a big deal, something I wish I knew beforehand.

One important thing to remember is that this is a legit reef break. The way the wave builds up, breaks, moves and barrels is completely different to anything most UK surfers have come across. So, if it’s your first session at The Wave, book yourself onto a level you know you can surf.

Advanced Session Wave Size

Here are the typical measurements for the waves that happen during an advanced session.

• Wave Type: A mixture from slow peeling, rapidly breaking and steeply barrelling waves
• Wave Size: 1.5m
• Time Between Waves: 6-8 seconds
• Wave Length: 12-15 seconds

Good Things About The Advanced Session

• Well organised, every surfer knows what they’re doing
• Equipment still provided at this level
• Perfect amount of time in the water
• Amazing for improving paddle fitness
• Allows practice on a legit reef break, not common in the UK
• Good value if booked in the off season (Winter months)
• The water is very clean
• Made me want to try out more wave settings

Not So Good Things About The Advanced Session

• There’s a fair amount of pressure on you to not mess up
• Not a bad thing but it’s still not as good as surfing in the sea
• Expensive if booked in the peak season (Summer months)

Would I Recommend The Advanced Session?

This is quite an easy one to answer – yes!

If you’re regularly out the back and in the process of improving your cutbacks, an advanced session is a great way to hone those skills. Each wave is exactly the same so once you’ve figured out how to navigate the reef break – it’s just a case of practice, practice, practice.

The queuing system helps keeps the lineup organised, so the group rotates each set pretty smoothly. The short break between sets is also a nice time to catch a breather. Although an hour doesn’t seem like long enough to get amongst it, your legs will be pumping by the end.

There are some great value deals in the colder months. So, to save the frequent surfer some cash – I’d recommend getting at least one session a year during the off peak season. Winter is also the time of year that only hardcore surfers venture into the cold, so you’ll be in similar company.

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5. Food & Cafe

After a knackering surf there’s nothing better than a sit down with some decent grub.

The Clubhouse Cafe

The Wave have (of course) thought about this and provided a top notch cafe. The Clubhouse Cafe chucks out proper meals that cater to all tastes and diets.

The Clubhouse Cafe

The menu itself has a wide variety of options and caters to all dietary needs.

My choice was the blackbean burger with skinny fries and a hot chocolate to warm the toes. The price was wasn’t too bad at £14.95 for both and the portion size was massive.

Blackbean Burger

The ordering system is fairly techy. It involves getting a small disk thingy that makes a lot of noise when your meal is ready to collect. I’m no food critic but the blackbean burger was proper tasty and the hot chocolate was also very nice.

Techy Order Device & Hot Chocolate

Menu & Sides Options

Here’s a list of meals from the indoor cafe menu;

• House Burgers – Beef / Chicken / Blackbean / Fish Finger all served with skinny fries
• Catch of the Day – Cider battered south coast fish served with thick cut chips
• Tart of the day – Tart served with a selection of super foods, grains and salad
• Vegetable lasagne – Butternut squash, smoked pepper served with rocket pesto, dried tomato and garlic bread

Here’s a list of sides that can be added to the above meals;

• Mac and cheese (+£4.50)
• Mac and greens (+£4.50)
• Thick cut chips (+£3.50)
• Skinny fries (+£3.50)
• Wookey hole cheddar sauce (+£2.00)
• Gravy (+£1.50)

Not sure how often the menu changes, but the above gives you a good idea of what to expect.

Food Trucks

The Clubhouse Cafe is not the only place you can get food onsite.

There are some great food trucks outside that do high quality street food. The one that was setup outside on my visit was the Quay St. Cantina that specialises in Mexican food!

Food Truck Options

6. 10 Tips Before Booking

These 10 tips before booking are mega important so take note…

• If you’ve never surfed before, book a lesson
• If you can surf but haven’t surfed at The Wave before – book a session you know you can surf
• Check the map above – it’ll make the last 3 minutes of your drive A LOT easier
• Arrive one hour before your planned lesson or session
• If you want to do two sessions in one day, don’t book them back-to-back – you’ll be knackered
• Make a day of it, in the Summer it’s a genuinely lovely place to just relax with an ice cream in-hand
• If you’re only spectating, there is a spectators fee
• Book during the colder months if you’re surfing on a budget
• For surfs between November and February, take/hire all the wetsuit accessories; boots, gloves and hoods
• The Wave gift vouchers are the perfect surfing present

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7. Does It Live Up To The Hype?

Before The Wave, Bristol opened – there was a lot of hype surrounding this particular wave pool. But has it lived up to all this hype?

Nature & Wellbeing Centre

Firstly, The Wave isn’t just about surfing… it’s also about reconnecting people with nature and wellbeing.

A lot of thought and care has gone into how the place looks and feels. For example, the beautifully timbered Clubhouse was built with sustainability at its core. This approach has helped the whole site melt into a very green backdrop. The wild gardens were shaped by the very soil that came out of the ground to create the wave pool. The use of natural materials throughout helps keep that feeling of nature constant.

All of these things add up to a really uplifting experience that help people reconnect with nature in a very easy way.

Technological Marvel

But, the main reason for all the hype (other than it being an awesome thing to have in the UK) was due to the technology it used.

It was the first wave pool in the Northern hemisphere to use Wavegarden’s Cove technology. The UK’s other wave pool (Surf Snowdonia) is based in Wales and uses Wavegarden’s Lagoon technology.

So I would say yes it has also lived up to the hype from a technological standpoint. In my opinion The Wave, Bristol is not only the best surfing wave pool in the UK – it’s arguably the best in the Northern hemisphere right now. The Cove technology alone means that 1,000’s of wave types can be created with the flick on a switch. From a surfing stand point it’s a fantastic resource for the UK’s surfing community as a whole.

But don’t just take my word for it. If you fancied some more reading – here are a couple of equally positive reviews about The Wave, Bristol from Wavelength Mag and Surfer Dad.

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Summary

And so folks, that’s my full review of The Wave, Bristol.

I’m hoping some of you found it useful and maybe even a bit interesting. All in all, I think The Wave, Bristol is a fantastic place. It not only promotes great values but also pumps out the best artificial waves in the UK for surfers at all levels. 

I plan on venturing there a couple of times a year max to keep my technique in check. If you’re an avid surfer who has a spare £45 – I’d definitely recommend trying it out. Click here to book a surf at The Wave.

As always, be sure to follow on the usual socials below to keep up to date with the latest surfing content!

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Next read: ‘Best Places To Surf in Devon’

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The original The Wave, Bristol – Session & Lesson Review post was created on The Wave Shack

🕓   17 min read

Intro

Welcome surfing friends, in today’s post we’ll be looking at the ‘Best Places to Surf in Devon’.

Well be looking at each locations type of wave, level of surfing required, whether lessons and rentals are available as well as the parking and food options.

Here are the surf spots we’ll be looking at…

1. Lynmouth
2. Woolacombe
3. Putsborough
4. Croyde
5. Saunton
6. Westward Ho!

It’s a pretty comprehensive list, so grab yourself a cuppa and let’s get started!

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1. Lynmouth

Starting with the most Northern and probably least known surf spot in Devon – Lynmouth. Not everyone’s first choice, but this place can offer experienced surfers a great days play in the right conditions.

Lynmouth

Type of Wave

Lynmouth is a point break which can offer up crazy long left handers along a bouldering shoreline.

Typical wave lengths last between 150-300m, this wave can provide some ridiculous ride time. Works best in offshore winds from the South and the ideal swell direction is from the West North West. If those directions seem a bit confusing, take a quick look at my ‘How to Read a Surf Report’ post that explains swell direction and wind direction in an easy to understand way.

With its sheltered position along the Northern coast, the right conditions are however quite hard to come by (so it’s flat most of the year).

Current forecast

Here’s the Lynmouth Beach surf forecast for the next 48 hours, thanks to surf-forecast.com.

Level of Surfing Required

Advanced.

This is not somewhere you want to be surfing if you’re a beginner surfer. With the danger of ground boulders and some fairly pointy rocks making up the shoreline, this point break isn’t for the faint hearted.

When conditions are right, expect a busy lineup with an experienced level of surfing attached.

Surfing Lessons

No.

Surfboard & Wetsuit Rentals

No.

Parking

There are two solid parking options for surfers in Lynmouth, the first and one I’d recommend is The Esplanade. This is basically a long stretch of road with parking on one side, it’s also right next to the water. Although it costs slightly more than the second option it’s closer and there’s more spaces available.

If The Esplanade is full however, try out either Lower or Upper Lyndale – they’re next to each other and both close to the village centre. The prices are basically the same as The Explanade but a bit further from the waves.

The Esplanade, EX35 6EQ

• 123 spaces
• Mon-Sun: 10:00 – 18:00 (Free outside these hours)
• No height restriction
• 4 hours – £6.00
• 4 days – £15
• Weekly (longest time available at this car park) – £25

Lower & Upper Lyndale – Watersmeet Road, EX35 6EP

• 86 spaces
• Mon-Sun: 10:00 – 18:00 (Free outside these hours)
• No height restriction
• 4 Hours – £5.20
• 4 days – £15
• Weekly (longest time available at this car park) – £25

Food

For that post-surf grub, be sure to check out the award winning Esplanade Fish Bar. With its high quality seafood and the ability to eat in or take-out, this would be my go to (if I was good enough to surf here).

If the queue for the above is too long, take a walk down to Lynmouth’s Traditional Fish and Chips. These guys offer more of the same as Esplanade Fish Bar just without the fancy award.

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2. Woolacombe Beach

The second stop on our journey is Woolacombe Beach.

Recently placed #20 in 2020s best beaches in the world list, Woolacombe is one of the best places to surf in North Devon. It’s a huge 3-mile long stretch of sandy goodness that consistently pumps out great waves.

Woolacombe

Type of Wave

Woolacombe beach is a 3-mile stretch of sand that offers up your standard beach break. That typically means great learner waves throughout the Summer, which are perfect for beginners. For the bigger swells, Autumn and Winter are great times to visit if you’re an intermediate or advanced surfer.

Typical wave lengths are between 50-150m on good days and it produces its best on a rising tide. Ideal conditions would be East South East winds paired with a West North West swell. If you want to learn a bit more about what makes good spring conditions, check out my ‘How to Read a Surf Report’.

Current forecast

Here’s the Woolacombe Beach surf forecast for the next 48 hours, thanks to surf-forecast.com.

Level of surfing required

Beginner.

Woolacombe is a great place to start your surfing journey.

The length of the beach means there’s loads of space, so plenty of waves to go around (even on busy weekends). Also, with the number of surf lesson providers here – it’s easy to see why so many people learn to surf at Woolacombe.

If you’re a more seasoned surfer, Woolacombe can still produce in the colder months. The location means it gets a lot of big swells from the Atlantic, but the lack of wind protection can reduce it to a choppy mess. Is a certified wave if conditions hold out though.

Surfing Lessons

Yes.

If it’s beginner surfing lessons you want, Woolacombe Surf Centre is what you need. Their team of experienced surf coaches make starting out easy, but be sure to check availability ahead of time.

If you’re struggling for availability, Nick Thorn Surf Coaching would be your next best bet.

Woolacombe Surf Centre;

• £35 – Group lesson / half day / 2-hours
• £68 – Group lesson / full day / 2-hours x2
• £50 – Private 1:1 lesson / half day / 2-hours

Nick Thorn Surf Coaching;

• £30 – Group lesson / half day / 2 hours
• £58 – Group lesson / full day / 2 hours x2
• £60 – Private lesson 1:1 / half day / 2 hours
• £150 – Private lesson 2:1 / half day / 2 hours

Surfboard & Wetsuit Rentals

Yes.

If you just fancy renting a surfboard and wetsuit for the day then Woolacombe Surf Centre can sort you out. If there’s no availability, Hunter is a great backup and just a two minute walk from the beach.

Woolacombe Surf Centre;

• £8 – Surfboard or Wetsuit rental / 3 hours
• £12 – Surfboard or Wetsuit rental / 6 hours

Hunter;

• £12 – Surfboard rental / 3 hours
• £16 – Surfboard rental / 6 hours
• £10 – Wetsuit rental / 3 hours
• £14 – Wetsuit rental / 6 hours

Parking

Woolacombe has a load of parking options, so even on the busiest Summer days there is still room at the inn.

There is free parking available on the South West coastal path (the bit that goes around the main headland), but it’s rare and only in the Winter months (Oct and Mar). The closest carpark and my recommendation is The Esplanade car park.

If The Esplanade is full, there’s also Sandy Burrows carpark a few hundred metres down the road. It’s a huge grassy area for vehicles of all sizes, so better for those with big campers as The Esplanade has a vehicle length limit. It’s also a bit cheaper than The Esplanade.

The Esplanade, EX34 7DJ

• 430 spaces
• No height restrictions
• All day – £12
• After 4pm – £5

Sandy Burrows Car Park, EX34 7BG

• 500+ spaces
• No height restrictions
• All day – £8
• After 4pm – £4

Food

There’s only one place you want to end up after a long day’s surfing in Woolacombe and that’s The Red Barn. Established in 1965 this place has served more than a few generations of surfers, and it’s another personal favourite of mine.

With a menu that satisfies even the most cultured eaters, this place will quickly become part of your trips to Woolacombe. Plus – there’s a collection of old school surfboards stuck to the ceiling… what’s not to like!

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3. Putsborough

If you were to start at Woolacombe beach and walk the 3-mile stretch to the other end, you’d find yourself at Putsborough.

Another Devon gem that is just as popular with general beach goers as it is with keen bean surfers. With plenty of space to spread out it’s another popular location for beginner surfers in the Summer months.

Putsborough

Type of Wave

As Putsborough is partly connected to Woolacombe, the wave is pretty similar for the most part. It offers a standard beach break but is much more sheltered from winds due to the main headland to the left.

Normal wave lengths are between 50-150m on good days and it produces its best on a rising tide. Ideal conditions would be East South East winds paired with a West North West swell.

This is my personal stomping ground and in my opinion, the best place to surf in North Devon.

Current forecast

Here’s the Putsborough Beach surf forecast for the next 48 hours, thanks to surf-forecast.com.

Level of surfing required

Beginner.

Putsborough is a great location for those who want to learn how to surf in the summer months. The waves in the Summer are pretty mellow and do go on for a while, giving beginners plenty of time to stand up.

For intermediates and above, Putsborough is a great surf spot to know if the wind conditions elsewhere aren’t great. The main headland to the left offers a huge amount of protection. This means conditions are usually better here compared to elsewhere on the North Devon coastline when sh*t is hitting the fan.

Surfing Lessons

Yes.

There are two surfing lesson providers at Putsborough, Barefoot Surf School and Nick Thorn Surf Coaching. Both offer group or family lessons and private lessons with varying prices.

Prices cover tuition, surfboard and wetsuit hire and lessons usually take between 90-120 minutes. As always, be sure to book ahead of time to avoid any disappointment.

Barefoot Surf School;

• £140 – Family lesson (2 adults & 2 children) / half day / 1.5 hours
• £80 – Private lesson 1:1 / half day / 1.5 hours
• £120 – Private lesson 2:1 / half day / 1.5 hours

Nick Thorn Surf Coaching;

• £30 – Group lesson / half day / 2 hours
• £58 – Group lesson / full day / 2 hours x2
• £60 – Private lesson 1:1 / half day / 2 hours
• £150 – Private lesson 2:1 / half day / 2 hours

Surfboard & Wetsuit Rentals

Yes.

You can rent surfboards and wetsuits from Barefoot Surf School but only if you’ve booked previous lessons with them before. If that’s not you, there’s usually a Nick Thorn pop-up tent / van in the car park area with all the rental gear ready to go.

Barefoot Surf School;

• £5 – Surfboard or Wetsuit rental / half day
• £10 – Surfboard or Wetsuit rental / full day

Nick Thorn Surf Coaching;

• £10 – Surfboard rental / half day
• £8 – Wetsuit rental / half day
• £14 – Surfboard rental / full day
• £12 – Wetsuit rental / full day

Parking

Putsborough is a private access beach so the team have good control over the number of cars in the car park. If the main car park fills up, there’s an overflow area up the hill – so there’s plenty of room. You pay a one off price at the entrance for the entire day and can pay with card or cash.

If you wish to stay overnight in a camper or motorhome, there’s a hard standing area at the top of the car park. Cost of an overnight stay varies from season to season but ranges between £25-45 per night.

• All day – £13.50 (Apr – Oct)
• Weekly – £63 (Apr – Oct)
• Annual – £230 (Apr – Oct)

Food

The Putsborough Beach Café sits on the hill next to the beach, has a great menu and views of the surf. It’s open everyday between April and October and every weekend through the winter months.

There’s a freshly prepared daily menu offering everything from a quick sausage bap to full blown fish and chips. My favourite post surf meal here is hands down the scampi and chips with a side of curry sauce, tis unreal.

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4. Croyde

Around the headland from Putsborough is our next surf location – Croyde.

Probably one of the most well known surfing locations in the whole of the UK let alone the North Devon coastline. Croyde is smaller than Woolacombe and Putsborough, but has been a surfing mainstay in the South West for a long time.

Croyde

Type of Wave

Although the beach is only around the corner from Putsborough, the waves here can be different gravy.

Croyde is another beach break offering right and left handers and is at its best with a rising tide. At low tides this location pumps out steep, fast moving barrels so high quality surfers are expected. At mid and high tides the waves mellow out, so can be surfed by less experienced surfers.

Usual ride length is between 50-150m, but this shortens on the weekends as is tends to get very crowded. Ideal wind conditions are from the East with a swell direction of West South West.

If you’re an experienced surfer, this can be one of the best places to surf in the UK.

Current forecast

Here’s the Croyde Beach surf forecast for the next 48 hours, thanks to surf-forecast.com.

Level of surfing required

Intermediate to Advanced.

For me, Croyde isn’t the place to go if you’re learning how to surf for the first time. In my opinion, there are plenty of other beaches (within a 5-mile radius) that offer more suitable waves in a less crowded environment.

If you’re an intermediate or advanced surfer though this is the most popular place to surf in North Devon. With the added spice of consistent hollow barrels, it’s easy to see why this place competes with spots in Cornwall for the UK’s best waves.

Surfing Lessons

Yes.

If you’re still keen to surf at Croyde (despite my advice above), there are three main providers to choose from; Croyde Surf Academy, Surfing Croyde Bay and Surf South West.

All three providers include the usual surfing tuition, rental surfboard and rental wetsuit in the price. As with all surf lessons be sure to book in advance to avoid any disappointment.

Croyde Surf Academy;

• £40 – Group lessons / half day / 2.5 hours
• £80 – Group lessons / full day / 2.5 hours x2
• £99 – Private 1:1 lessons / half day / 2 hours
• £149 – Private 2:1 lessons / half day / 2 hours

Surfing Croyde Bay;

• £35 – Group lessons / half day / 2.5 hours
• £120 – Private 1:1 lessons / half day / 2 hours

Surf South West;

• £35 – Group lessons / half day / 2 hours
• £120 – Private 1:1 lessons / half day / 2 hours
• £170 – Private 2:1 lessons / half day / 2 hours

Surfboard & Wetsuit Rentals

Yes.

Both Croyde Surf Academy and Surfing Croyde Bay offer surfing equipment hire for the day at reasonable prices. Croyde Surf Hire is another shop that offers rental equipment and is a useful back-up.

Croyde Surf Academy;

• £7 – Surfboard or wetsuit rental / 4 hours
• £10 – Surfboard or wetsuit rental / full day

Surfing Croyde Bay;

• £10 – Surfboard rental / 4 hours
• £15 – Surfboard rental / full day
• £8 – Wetsuit rental / 4 hours
• £12 – Wetsuit rental / full day

Croyde Surf Hire;

• £20 – Surfboard rental / full day
• £12 – Wetsuit rental / full day

Parking

Croyde has some great parking options with three main carparks.

The carpark I’d recommend is Croyde Bay carpark. It’s got the best access to the beach, a decent number of spaces and it’s not too expensive.

There’s also Baggy Point, which is a National Trust carpark. This means if you’re a National Trust member you can enjoy free parking, if not that’s ok too you’ll just have to pay the day rate. Finally we’ve got Down End carpark, which is a great backup but is on the other side of the beach.

Croyde Bay carpark, EX33 1NN

• 170 spaces
• Mon-Sun: 06:00 – 22:00
• No height restrictions
• 4 hours – £6
• 16 hours (longest time available at this carpark) – £12

Down End carpark, EX33 1QE

• 350 spaces
• Mon-Sun: 07:00 – 00:00 (Free outside these hours)
• No height restrictions
• 4 hours – £8.50
• All day – £16 (In after 07:00, out by 00:00)

Baggy Point carpark, EX33 1PA

• 150 spaces (plus overflow)
• Mon-Sun: 08:00 – 21:30
• No height restrictions

Food

As you’d expect with such a popular beach, there are some great places to eat in Croyde.

If you’re in the village centre and you’re after good pub grub, The Thatch is the place for you. It’s a local favourite and has been well established in the Croyde area for many years.

If you’re a bit further up from the village centre and fancy a quick bite, Biffens Kitchen has some great options. Based out of the Ocean Pitch Campsite, Biffen cooks up healthy street food from his food van – and you don’t even need to be staying at the campsite to check it out.

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5. Saunton Sands

The penultimate stop on our journey down the Northern Devon coastline is Saunton Sands.

Similar to Woolacombe, Saunton is a huge stretch of sand that goes on for as far as the eye can see. It’s located just around the corner from Croyde and stretches for 3-miles until the River Taw estuary to the South. It’s not quite as well know as Croyde or Woolacombe but a great place for surfing none the less.

Saunton

Type of Wave

Like most of the beaches on this list Saunton offers up a beach break, but this particular break is perfect for long boarders.

Ride length on good days can stretch past 200m and it works best when the tide is rising. The majority of waves are long right handers so perfect for any regular footed long boarders. There are still some lefties up for grabs for goofy footers but the rides aren’t quite as long.

Of course, you don’t need to be a long boarder to enjoy the waves at Saunton. Conditions are fairly good all year round with a mixture of waves suitable for every surfing level. With a 3-mile stretch available, it’s easy to find some space and test out your skills.

Current forecast

Here’s the Saunton Sands surf forecast for the next 48 hours, thanks to surf-forecast.com.

Level of surfing required

Beginner.

Saunton is a great beach for surfers of any level and so the level of surfing required is beginner.

Throughout the Summer months Saunton offers a good mix of gentle waves perfect for learning on. With such a long stretch of sand there’s also plenty of room if you want it. Similarly, in the Winter months there’s just as much on offer for experienced surfers.

Favourable conditions at Saunton are winds from an Easterly direction and a swell direction from the West. The things to be careful of at Saunton are the rip current next to the Northern headland and the rocks that make up the headland itself.

Surfing Lessons

Yes.

Saunton has it’s very own blue hut for everything surf lesson related – the Surf Saunton Surf School. It’s located between the car park and the sea and is the to place to go if you’re looking for a surfing lesson.

If there’s no availability at the above, Walking on Waves also do surf lessons at Saunton.

As always the prices below include your surfing tuition, a rental surfboard and rental wetsuit. Book in advance to avoid any disappointment, especially on busy weekends.

Surf Saunton Surf School;

• £40 – Group lessons / half day / 2 hours
• £80 – Private 1:1 lessons / half day / 1.5 hours

Walking on Waves;

• £40 – Group lessons / half day / 2 hours
• £80 – Private 1:1 lessons / half day / 2 hours

Surfboard & Wetsuit Rentals

Yes.

If you just want to hire some surfing gear for the day you can absolutely do that at Saunton. Right next to the Surf Saunton Surf School  is the Saunton Surf Hire team. These guys can kit you out with surfboards and wetsuits alike but as I’ve mentioned before – be sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

They have a range of equipment available for hire but here are some guide prices;

• £15 – Surfboard rental / full day
• £10 – Wetsuit rental / full day

Parking

Saunton does have its own car park which is located right next to the beach making it extremely easy to go from the motor to the waves. Worth mentioned they shut the entry gate if the car park is full. This tends to only happen during the busiest Summer weekends, but try and get there in the morning to guarantee a spot.

Saunton Sands carpark, EX33 2LG

• 650 spaces
• Mon-Sun: 08:00 – 17:00 (Oct-Mar) / 08:00 – 19:00 (Mar-Apr) / 08:00 – 21:00 (May-Aug) / 08:00 – 19:00 (Sep-Oct)
• No height restrictions
• 4 hours – £8.50 (+£1 per additional hour)
• Yearly – £230

Food

After a long sesh out amongst the waves food is of upmost importance, fortunately Saunton has the Beachside Grill. It’s next to the car park and serves up both great food and that perfect sunset view at the end of a long day. It’s possible to get a table as a walk-in, but there are no guarantees so be sure to book a table before arriving.

If you’re not after a sit-down meal and just fancy some chips, Saunton Break Cafe has you covered. Offering the cheap and cheerful take away meals to keep most happy, it’s also next to the car park and operates out of two cubby holes.

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6. Westward Ho!

The final surf spot on our sublime North Devon coastline is Westward Ho!

Westward Ho is situated on the same stretch of sand as Saunton but on the other side of the River Taw estuary. It’s known for being a very relaxed beach for surfers and holiday makers alike. With its game arcades and holiday camps it certainly has that UK staycation feel but offers plenty for one day surfers too.

As this is one of the lesser known beaches on the North Devon coastline, it doesn’t much of a crowd.

Westward Ho!

Type of Wave

Westward Ho! offers up a mellow beach break like so many other great beaches along Devon’s Northern coastline. Longboarders tend to enjoy the less frantic action near the estuary and shortboarders enjoy waves closer to the town end.

There are both left and right handers on offer with ride lengths going past 200m in good conditions. Works best when there are offshore winds from the East and a swell direction of West North West.

Current forecast

Here’s the Westward Ho surf forecast for the next 48 hours, thanks to surf-forecast.com.

Level of surfing required

Beginner.

Westward Ho! is another great beach for first time beginners and intermediates looking to improve. The gradual beach incline means waves gently roll in giving surfers plenty of time to get to their feet.

As for the advanced surfers, Westward Ho! doesn’t offer much in the Summer months unless you’re after that mellow wave. It does spice up quite a bit more in the Winter though with westerly swells from the Atlantic.

Surfing Lessons

Yes.

There are a few places you can get surf lessons from in Westward Ho! but the best three are; North Devon Surf School, Surf SUP Academy and Westward Waves Surf School. All three pretty much offer the same lessons and it’s nice to have a few options incase you struggle for availability.

As with most lessons all three providers also include your surfing tuition, your rental surfboard and your rental wetsuit in the price.

North Devon Surf School

• £32 – Group lessons / half day / 2 hours
• £95 – Private 1:1 lessons / half day / 2 hours

Surf SUP Academy

• £30 – Group lessons / half day / 2 hours
• £70 – Private 1:1 lessons / half day / 2 hours

Westward Waves Surf School

• £30 – Group lessons / half day / 2 hours
• £70 – Private 1:1 lessons / half day / 2 hours

Surfboard & Wetsuit Rentals

Yes.

Despite the abundance of surf lessons there’s not as much on offer in Westward Ho! when it comes to rentals. North Devon Surf School and the local Surf and Kite Shop are the only two options and both are fairly close on price.

Both providers also rent out equipment for longer than two hours if you fancy, just check the links for more info.

North Devon Surf School

• £12 – Surfboard rental / 2 hours
• £8 – Wetsuit rental / 2 hours

Surf and Kite Shop

• £10 – Surfboard rental / 2 hours
• £8 – Wetsuit rental / 2 hours

Parking

There’s a few places to park at Westward ho, but the carpark one I’d recommend is Northam Burrows Country Park.

This ones more of a long road and it runs parallel to the beach. If you keep driving along it, there’s a car park area at the end or you can park along the road if you’d prefer. If you’re planning on getting a surf lesson, North Devon Surf School are also based at the entrance – handy.

Northam Burrows Country Park, EX39 1XS

• 35o spaces
• Mon-Sunday: 07:00 – 18:00
• No height restriction
• All day – £7

Food

Being a seaside town, Westward Ho! has a great range of food venues to choose from. There are three places I can recommend however; The Pasty Shack, Atlantic Bay and the Pig and Olive.

If you’re after a quick getaway and are thinking of ordering in your dripping wet wetsuit, The Pasty Shack is the one you want. With a selection of great tasting pastry, this place will sort you out whilst you waiting for your hands to unfreeze.

If you’re after something a bit more substantial, Atlantic Bay might be a better option. These guys do a classic cod and chips takeaway that is very popular with the locals.

Finally, the Pig and Olive. This place specialises in stone oven baked pizza and it is the bomb! It’s located opposite the North Devon Surf School so you can drop off your equipment and get the pizzas in.

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Summary

And that is that! My full guide to the ‘Best Places To Surf in Devon’.

I hope it’s helped those of you looking for a new surf spot in the South West. I’m planning to do more guides like this one to highlight our fantastic surfing locations in the UK.

As always, be sure to follow on the usual socials below to keep up to date with the latest surfing content!

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Next read: ‘How To Install GoPro Surfboard Mount’

The original Best Places To Surf in Devon post was created on The Wave Shack

🕓   11 min read

Intro

Hola surfing amigos, in today’s post we’ll be looking at ‘The Wave, Bristol – Everything You Need To Know’.

This blog post includes all the vital info you’d want to know before booking that first wave pool sesh.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the blog post;

1. About The Wave
2. Launch/Opening Date
3. Location
4. On-Site Facilities
5. Opening Times / Hours
6. Lessons at The Wave, Bristol
7. Surf Sessions at The Wave, Bristol
8. Professional Photo’s of Your Session
9. Annual Locals’ Pass
10. Spectators Pass
11. Gift Vouchers
12. Are Dogs Allowed?

Let’s get started!

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1. About The Wave

To start, I thought I’d give a quick background behind the project and some of the key facts. If you don’t fancy a quick history lesson, feel free to head to the next section.

The Wave is the world’s first inland surf pool in the Northern Hemisphere created using Wavegarden Cove technology. It opened on the 26th October 2019 and has been the brainchild of Founder Nick Hounsfield for the last 10-years alongside The Wave CEO Craig Stoddart.

The philosophy was to create a naturally healthy place where people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds can have an amazing time connecting with nature, each other and themselves. The Wave is about improving health and wellbeing through surfing and all the benefits it can provide.

Key Facts:

• • The lake is 180m in length
  • It can create up to 1,000 waves per hour
  • There’s a new wave every 8-10 seconds
  • Wave heights start at 50cm for beginners and peak at 2.0m for expert surfers
  • There are six surfing areas located within the lake
  • The waves differ in size and shape depending on the area you’re surfing in
  • Up to 80 surfers can use the lake at any one time
  • The Wave, London is scheduled to open in 2025
  • Surf lessons and free surf sessions are available to book (more info below)

2. When did The Wave, Bristol open?

Saturday 26th October, 2019.

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3. Where Is The Wave, Bristol Located?

“Where is The Wave, Bristol located?!” I hear you ask.

Well, it’s located on the Northern edge of Bristol, United Kingdom – close to the M5. Take a look at the map below for a better idea.

4. On-site Facilities

It’s important to note that The Wave is not just about surfing, it’s also about health and wellbeing. For this reason there are some fantastic on-site facilities to use even if you’re not in amongst the waves.

1. Starting with a wonderful cafe and bar which serves locally sourced food and drink whilst providing a spot to watch the surfing activities unfold.
2. The on-site surf shop is fully stocked with the latest surfing equipment from surfboards to wetsuits and everything in between.
3. The education centre is another great place offering surf classes for all abilities to schools and colleges.
4. Finally, there is great on-site family friendly camping accommodation in secret safari tents.
   There is also short-stay accommodation for those requiring a shorter stay.

5. Opening Times / Hours

The Wave, Bristol’s opening times are usually 7am-8pm but it depends on the season.

In the Summer there’s more light so it can stay open longer and visa versa in the Winter.

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6. Lessons at The Wave, Bristol

Of course, with a world class surfing lagoon comes a world class coaching team ready to help you guys get amongst the waves.

With lessons for people of all abilities the coaching team is there to help everyone learn and improve. There is also great support provided for surfers with physical disabilities with ‘Adaptive Surfing’.

Beginner Surfing Lessons

• Ideal for anyone who has never surfed before and wants to give it a try.
• Suitable for all ages from six years old
• Group lessons with expert coaches that include dry land tuition and in-water coaching
• Lesson sessions are 1.5 hours long and include 1 hour in the water
• Takes place in “The Bay”

• Includes: Wetsuits & Surfboards
• Length: 1.5 hours
• Wave Type: Small white water waves
• Water Depth: 0.8m
• Wave Length: 12-15 seconds
• Pricing: £50 per adult (Over 16 years old) & £40 per Junior (6 to 15 years old), exact prices depend on day and time of year.

Waikiki Surfing Lessons

• The natural next step for those who want to progress beyond riding white water waves.
• Group lessons with expert coaches that include dry land tuition and in-water coaching
• Lesson sessions are 1.5 hours long and include 1 hour in the water
• Takes place in “The Reef”

• Includes: Wetsuits & Surfboards
• Length: 1.5 hours
• Wave Type: Unbroken green waves
• Water Depth: 1.5m
• Wave Length: 8-11 seconds
• Pricing: £60 per adult (Over 16 years old) & £50 per Junior (6 to 15 years old), exact prices depend on day and time of year.

Intermediate Surfing Lessons

• Great for those who want to focus on developing brilliant technique, try new manoeuvres or build confidence with the core elements of surfing.
• Group lessons with expert coaches that include dry land tuition and in-water coaching
• Lesson sessions are 1.5 hours long and include 1 hour in the water
• Takes place in “The Reef”

• Includes: Wetsuits & Surfboards (Bring your own is preferred)
• Length: 1.5 hours
• Wave Type: Unbroken green waves
• Water Depth: 1.5m
• Wave Length: 1o seconds
• Pricing: £60 per adult (Over 16 years old) & £50 per Junior (6 to 15 years old), exact prices depend on day and time of year.

Play in the Bay – Limited Availability

• Ideal for Everyone! No experience necessary
• For those taking their first steps into a world of waves, or those wanting to build up water confidence before trying out a Beginner Surf Lesson.
• Takes place in “The Bay”

• Length: 1 hour, with 10 minute brief before session
• Wave Type: Small white water waves
• Pricing: £10 per adult (Over 16 years old), £8 per Junior (9 to 15 years old) & £15 for Adult and Child (Under 9 years old) combi ticket. Exact prices depend on day and time of year.

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7. Surf Sessions at The Wave, Bristol

If you’re looking to get amongst it without the help of the coaching team, you can also book a surf session. Going from easiest to hardest, these can be categorised into:

• Beginner
• Waikiki
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Advanced Plus
• Expert
• Expert Turns
• Expert Barrels

Surf sessions are perfect for those who just want more time in the water to practice their skills.

Beginner Surf Sessions (No coaching)

• Ideal for those who’ve had a lesson and just want more time to practice and build confidence on their own
• Suitable for beginner surfers who have already had a lesson
• Available for all ages from six years old
• Surf sessions are just under an hour of water time plus a safety briefing beforehand
• Takes place in “The Bay”

• Includes: Wetsuits & Surfboards (You can take your own if you prefer)
• Length: 1 hour
• Wave Type: Small white water waves
• Water Depth: 0.8m
• Wave Length: 10-12 seconds
• Pricing: £40 per adult (Over 16 years old) & £30 per Junior (6 to 16 years old), exact prices depend on day and time of year.

Waikiki Surf Sessions

• This is the perfect wave for improvers
• The Waikiki wave is a slow, mellow, spilling wave, which is soft breaking but also a longer ride from the reef area
• Surf sessions are just under an hour of water time plus a safety briefing beforehand
• Don’t forget to choose whether you want the wave breaking from right or left – surfers have to stay on their booked side for the duration of their session.
• Takes place at “The Reef”

• Includes: Wetsuits & Surfboards (You can take your own if you prefer)
• Length: 1 hour
• Wave Type: Gentle wave with an open face that maintains its unbroken profile till the end
• Water Depth: 1.5m
• Wave Length: 8-11 seconds
• Pricing: £45 per adult (Over 16 years old) & £35 per Junior (6 to 16 years old), exact prices depend on day and time of year.

Intermediate Surf Sessions

• Ideal for those who can confidently riding unbroken waves
• Suitable for improving surfers who are able to turn using bodyweight and want to practice turns using the rails and fins of the board
• Surf sessions are just under an hour of water time plus a safety briefing beforehand
• Don’t forget to choose whether you want the wave breaking from right or left – surfers have to stay on their booked side for the duration of their session.
• Takes place at “The Reef”

• Includes: Wetsuits & Surfboards (You can take your own if you prefer)
• Length: 1 hour
• Wave Type: Wave with an open face that maintains its unbroken profile till the end
• Water Depth: 1.5m
• Wave Length: 12-15 seconds
• Pricing: £45 per adult (Over 16 years old) & £35 per Junior (6 to 16 years old), exact prices depend on day and time of year.

Advanced Surf Sessions

• Ideal for those who have mastered all the fundamentals of surfing and surfing etiquette
• Surf sessions are just under an hour of water time plus a safety briefing beforehand
• Don’t forget to choose whether you want to surf a wave breaking to the right or left – surfers have to stay on their booked side for the duration of their session.
• Takes place at “The Reef”

• Includes: Wetsuits & Surfboards (You can take your own if you prefer)
• Length: 1 hour
• Wave Type: A mixture from slow peeling, rapidly breaking and steeply barrelling waves
• Water Depth: 1.5m
• Wave Length: 12-15 seconds
• Pricing: £45 per adult (Over 16 years old) & £35 per Junior (6 to 16 years old), exact prices depend on day and time of year.

Advanced Plus Surf Sessions

• A step up from the current advanced settings to include barrel wave sessions
• Surf sessions are just under an hour of water time plus a safety briefing beforehand
• Don’t forget to choose whether you want to surf a wave breaking to the right or left – surfers have to stay on their booked side for the duration of their session.
• Takes place at “The Reef”
• These special sessions are run at specific times so be sure to check the link below to check availability.

• Includes: Wetsuits only (You can take your own if you prefer), bring your own surfboard
• Length: 1 hour
• Wave Type: Punchier with a steeper face that barrels along the length of the wave
• Water Depth: 1.5m
• Wave Length: 12-15 seconds
• Pricing: £50 per adult (Over 16 years old) & £40 per Junior (6 to 16 years old), exact prices depend on day and time of year.

Expert Surf Sessions

• Created for only the most expert surfers
• Surf sessions are just under an hour of water time plus a safety briefing beforehand
• Don’t forget to choose whether you want to surf a wave breaking to the right or left – surfers have to stay on their booked side for the duration of their session.
• Takes place at “The Reef”
• These special sessions are run at specific times so be sure to check the link below to check availability.

• Includes: Wetsuits only (You can take your own if you prefer), bring your own surfboard
• Length: 1 hour
• Wave Type: Fast and challenging with a long face for performance turns and barrel sections
• Water Depth: 1.5m
• Wave Length: 12-15 seconds
• Pricing: £55 per adult (Over 16 years old) & £45 per Junior (6 to 16 years old), exact prices depend on day and time of year.

Expert Turns Sessions

• Created for only the most expert surfers who want to focus on their turns
• Surf sessions are just under an hour of water time plus a safety briefing beforehand
• Don’t forget to choose whether you want to surf a wave breaking to the right or left – surfers have to stay on their booked side for the duration of their session.
• Takes place at “The Reef”
• These special sessions are run at specific times so be sure to check the link below to check availability.

• Includes: Wetsuits only (You can take your own if you prefer), bring your own surfboard
• Length: 1 hour
• Wave Type: Fast and challenging session, full of their most powerful turning waves to test your performance
• Water Depth: 1.5m
• Wave Length: 12-15 seconds
• Pricing: £55 per adult (Over 16 years old) & £45 per Junior (6 to 16 years old), exact prices depend on day and time of year.

Expert Barrels Sessions

• Created for only the most expert surfers who want to focus on their barrels
• Surf sessions are just under an hour of water time plus a safety briefing beforehand
• Don’t forget to choose whether you want to surf a wave breaking to the right or left – surfers have to stay on their booked side for the duration of their session.
• Takes place at “The Reef”
• These special sessions are run at specific times so be sure to check the link below to check availability.

• Includes: Wetsuits only (You can take your own if you prefer), bring your own surfboard
• Length: 1 hour
• Wave Type: A whole session dedicated to our most popular barrel setting. Powerful waves with consistent, fun to navigate barrels.
• Water Depth: 1.5m
• Wave Length: 12-15 seconds
• Pricing: £55 per adult (Over 16 years old) & £45 per Junior (6 to 16 years old), exact prices depend on day and time of year.

8. Professional Photo’s of Your Session

Yes they’ve thought of everything at The Wave, even professional photo’s starting from £9!

The team from Image Cabin are onsite everyday shooting every single session that gets run. This offers a great opportunity to capture your best moments from your sesh!

Photo’s can be collected an hour after you’ve finished by scanning the QR codes displayed on the screens near the surf desk and the cafe-bar. You’ll also get a link emailed to you and you can view them for up to 28 days so you have time to decide – great!

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9. Annual Locals’ Pass

If you’re lucky enough to live within any of these postcodes (BS35 5, BS35 4 or BS32 4) you’re able to purchase the Annual Locals’ Pass. Adults (Over 16 years old) can purchase the Annual Locals’ Pass for just £15 a year, Juniors (6 to 16 years old) for £5 and Kids (under 6 years old) go free. The Annual Locals’ Pass not only gives local community residents year-round access to the restaurant and cafe but exclusive discounts as well.

To find out more about how to apply for an Annual Locals’ Pass at The Wave, Bristol contact the team. Contact information can be found on the link below.

10. Spectators Pass

If you fancy heading to The Wave to watch the surfing action, you’ll need a spectators pass. These things give you access to the entire site (excluding the lake) but including; the clubhouse and the food pop-ups as well as free parking.

They start from £2 and Under-5 year olds go free.

11. Gift Vouchers

If you’ve got a family member, friend or other half who you think would love to experience surfing The Wave in Bristol, you can purchase gift vouchers. They range from £10 to £250 and can be used on either surf lessons or surf sessions and are a great gift idea for anyone interested in surfing.

12. Are Dogs Allowed Onsite?

Unfortunately, furry friends are not currently allowed at The Wave, with the exception of Service or Assistance dogs. The Wave team ask you to contact the customer services team for any further information.

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Summary

Well guys, that’s ‘Everything You Need to Know About The Wave, Bristol’.

I think it’s going to provide a great learning opportunity for surfers of all abilities. The additional aspect of being inclusive for physical disabilities is also fantastic.

If you found this guide helpful, please let me know in the comments, share on socials and get the info out there! Until next time guys…

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Next read: ‘Best Gift Ideas For UK Surfers, 2026’

The original The Wave, Bristol – Everything You Need To Know post was created on The Wave Shack

🕓   9 min read

Intro

Hi surfing friends, in today’s blog post I’ll be covering ‘Surfing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics’.

Whether you agreed with it or not, surfing made it’s official Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. So, to help all of you (and me) understand how it all worked… I put together this post so all the facts are one place.

Here’s a breakdown of the content we’re going to cover…

1. Surfing’s Olympic Journey
2. What Was The Qualification Process?
3. Where Did It Taking Place?
4. What Were The Competition Rules?
5. How Did The Heats Work?
6. How Was The Event Scored?
7. Who Competed?
8. What Was The Event Schedule?
9. Competition Results
10. Olympics Debate

Let’s get into it!

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1. Surfing’s Olympic Journey

Now, the below timeline does not in any way do justice to the huge amount of work done to get surfing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. But, it does give a quick overview of the key moments that made it happen…

• 1920’s – Suggested to be included in the Olympic Games by Duke Kahanamoku
• 1994 – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially recognised the International Surfing Association (ISA) as surfing’s international body
• 2013 – Thomas Bach responded positively to ISA President Fernando Aguerre proactive campaign to include surfing at the Olympics
• 2013 – Thomas Bach made President of IOC
• 2015 – Surfing unanimously voted to be included in 2019 Pan-American games in Peru
• 2016 – IOC decide to include surfing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
• 2019 – Surfing successfully staged at the Pan-American games in Peru
• 2020 – Olympics rescheduled for 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic
• 2021 – Surfing men’s and women’s competitive heats started on July 25th
• 2021 – Surfing men’s and women’s final aired on July 27th

It’s definitely who you know and not what you know. This was a dream of Fernando Aguerre’s for over 25 years and he made it a reality. His next task will be maintaining surfing’s status as an Olympic sport for future Olympic Games.

ISA & IOC

2. What was the qualification process?

Now, the qualification process was a lengthy affair with 2020 being a complete right-off. It’s also a bit complicated so feel free to skip this bit if you want.

Here were the rules to a successful qualification…only two surfers per gender per National Olympic Committee (NOC) are allowed to qualify. All qualifications are earned on an individual basis and surfers had to have participated in both the 2019 and 2021 ISA World Surfing Games.

The IOC guidelines used a hierarchical order to determine each competitors successful qualification. Let’s explain this with an example, if a surfer qualifies via their final place in the 2019 WSL Championship Tour (which has Priority 1 status in the hierarchical order shown below), that surfer cannot then qualify again via any following events from Priority 2-5.

To help you visualise, here is a brief timeline to give you an idea of when all this happened.

Surfing Calendar

3. Where did it take place?

The event took place at Tsurigasaki Beach also known as Shidashita Beach. The beach is located on the South East coast of the nearby region Chiba. It’s around 50 miles outside of Toyko so was certainly one of the more remote sporting venues.

There was some speculation an artificial wave pool could be used for the venue. This would have guaranteed waves and meant that each competitor got the same wave, but the IOC decided against it.

2020 Tokyo Olympic Surfing Venue

4. What were the competition rules?

1. Each wave can only have one rider
2. The athlete with priority has the right of way
3. The competitor who has priority can lose their right of way if they do not proceed to ride the wave
4. Any interference with a competitor who has priority can result in an interference penalty and loss of points
5. Two interferences during a heat often leads to disqualification

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5. How did the heats work?

Surfing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics adopted the same four-person heat method used throughout the competitive surfing world. For the Olympics this method consisted of four athletes competing at a time. Out of these four, only the best two will proceed to the next round.

The length of the heats lasted between 20-30 minutes. In World Surfing League (WSL) competitions, if no one catches a wave during the first 10 minutes of a heat, the judges have the power to restart the heat – but this is wsan’t the case in the Olympics. Only the two best rides from each competitor will count. The winners were determined by a panel of judges.

6. How was the event scored?

The scoring was based on both the type and difficulty of manoeuvres performed. However, speed, power and the general flow of each move was also taken into account.

The highest scores were scored on bigger waves. The competitors needed to provide variety and innovation to score well. There was certainly a focus of quality over quantity in this area. The scoring criteria used the following quality levels as a guideline;

0.0 – 1.9 = Poor
2.0 – 3.9 = Fair
4.0 – 5.9 = Average
6.0 – 7.9 = Good
8.0 – 10 = Excellent

Using this quality level structure, surfers could have achieved a perfect 20/20 from their best two waves. Scores of 20 are rare and unfortunately we didn’t see any in this Olympics due to some fairly poor conditions.

7. Who competed?

Here is the full least of competitors alongside their current WSL rank (if they have one).

20 Male Contenders

• 🇧🇷  Brazil – Gabriel Medina (1) & Italo Ferreira (2)
• 🇦🇺  Australia – Julian Wilson (17) & Owen Wright (20)
• 🇺🇸  USA  – John John Florence (10) & Kolohe Andino (38)
• 🇫🇷  France – Jeremy Flores (25) & Michel Bourez (29)
• 🇯🇵  Japan – Kanoa Igarashi (6) & Hiroto Ohhara
• 🇵🇪  Peru – Miguel Tudela (52) & Lucca Mesinas
• 🇮🇹  Italy – Leonardo Fioravanti (17)
• 🇦🇷  Argentina – Leandro Usuna
• 🇮🇩  Indonesia – Rio Waida
• 🇳🇿  New Zealand – Billy Stairmand
• 🇲🇦  Morroco – Ramzi Boukhiam
• 🇩🇪  Germany – Leon Glatzer
• 🇨🇱  Chile – Manuel Selman
• 🇨🇷  Costa Rica – Carlos Munoz

20 Female Contenders

• 🇺🇸  USA  – Carissa Moore (1) & Caroline Marks (6)
• 🇦🇺  Australia – Sally Fitzgibbons (3) & Stephanie Gilmore (5)
• 🇫🇷  France – Johanne Defay (2) & Pauline Ado
• 🇧🇷  Brazil – Tatiana Weston-Webb (4) & Silvana Lima
• 🇨🇷  Costa Rica – Brisa Hennessy (15) & Leilani McGonagle
• 🇯🇵  Japan – Amuro Tsuzuki (18) & Mahina Maeda
• 🇵🇹  Portugal – Yolanda Sequeria & Teresa Bonvalot
• 🇵🇪  Peru – Sofia Mulanovich & Daniella Rosas
• 🇪🇨  Ecuador – Dominic Barona
• 🇳🇿  New Zealand – Ella Williams
• 🇿🇦  South Africa – Bianca Buitendag
• 🇮🇱  Israel – Anat Lelio

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8. What was the event schedule?

The competition took place between the 24th of July and the 26th July 2021. Here’s a full breakdown of the event schedule with UK times (GMT+1).

Round 1 – Saturday 24th July (11pm – 5.40am)

First two competitors qualify for Round 3, bottom two qualifiers have to surf again in Round 2.

Men’s Heat 1 – 11.00pm –  Ferreira 🇧🇷  / Fioravanti 🇮🇹  / Ohhara 🇯🇵  / Usuna 🇦🇷
Men’s Heat 2 – 11.40pm – Igarashi 🇯🇵  / Flores 🇫🇷  / Tudela 🇵🇪  / Stairmand 🇳🇿
Men’s Heat 3 – 12.20am – Andino 🇺🇸  / Wilson 🇦🇺  / Mesinas 🇵🇪  / Waida 🇮🇩
Men’s Heat 4 – 1.00am – Florence 🇺🇸  / Wright 🇦🇺  / Selman 🇨🇱  / Boukhiam 🇲🇦
Men’s Heat 5 – 1.40am – Medina 🇧🇷  / Bourez 🇫🇷  / Glatzer 🇩🇪  / Munoz 🇨🇷

Women’s Heat 1 – 2.20am – Moore 🇺🇸  / Bonvalot 🇵🇹  / Rosas 🇵🇪  / Barona 🇪🇨
Women’s Heat 2 – 3.00am – Fitzgibbons 🇦🇺  / Hennessy 🇨🇷  / Maeda 🇯🇵  / Buitendag 🇿🇦
Women’s Heat 3 – 3.40am – Gilmore 🇦🇺  / Lima 🇧🇷  / Ado 🇫🇷  / Lelior 🇮🇱
Women’s Heat 4 – 4.20am – Weston-Webb 🇧🇷  / Defay 🇫🇷 / Tsuzuki 🇯🇵  / Mulanovich 🇵🇪
Women’s Heat 5 – 5.00am – Marks 🇺🇸  / Hopkins 🇵🇹  / McGonagle 🇨🇷  / Williams 🇳🇿

Round 2 – Saturday 24th July (5.40am – 8.20am)

First three competitors qualify for Round 3, bottom two qualifiers are knocked out.

Men’s Heat 1 – 5.40am – Florence 🇺🇸  / Waida 🇮🇩  / Stairmand 🇳🇿  / Selman 🇨🇱  / Munoz 🇨🇷
Men’s Heat 2 – 6.20am – Usuna 🇦🇷  / Flores 🇫🇷  / Fioravanti 🇮🇹  / Wilson 🇦🇺  / Glatzer 🇩🇪

Women’s Heat 1 – 7.00am – Tsuzuki 🇯🇵  / Buitendag 🇿🇦  / Maeda 🇯🇵  /   McGonagle 🇨🇷  / Barona 🇪🇨
Women’s Heat 2 – 7.40am – Hopkins 🇵🇹  / Ado 🇫🇷  / Mulanovich 🇵🇪  / Lelior 🇮🇱  / Rosas 🇵🇪

Round 3 – Sunday 25th July (11pm – 8.36am)

First competitor from each heat qualifies for the quarter-finals, bottom qualifier is knocked out.

Women’s Heat 1 – 11.00pm – Gilmore 🇦🇺  / Buitendag 🇿🇦
Women’s Heat 2 – 11.36pm – Defay 🇫🇷  / Hopkins 🇵🇹
Women’s Heat 3 – 12.12am – Hennessy 🇨🇷  / Williams 🇳🇿
Women’s Heat 4 – 12.48am – Marks 🇺🇸  / Maeda 🇯🇵
Women’s Heat 5 – 1.24am – Moore 🇺🇸  / Mulanovich 🇵🇪
Women’s Heat 6 – 2.00am – Lima 🇧🇷  / Bonvalot 🇵🇹
Women’s Heat 7 – 2.36am – Weston-Webb 🇧🇷  / Tsuzuki 🇯🇵
Women’s Heat 8 – 3.12am – Fitzgibbons 🇦🇺  / Ado 🇫🇷

Men’s Heat 1 – 3.48am – Igarashi 🇯🇵  / Waida 🇮🇩
Men’s Heat 2 – 4.24am – Andino 🇺🇸  / Florence 🇺🇸
Men’s Heat 3 – 5.00am – Bourez 🇫🇷  / Boukhiam 🇲🇦
Men’s Heat 4 – 5.36am – Medina 🇧🇷  / Wilson 🇦🇺
Men’s Heat 5 – 6.12am – Ferreira 🇧🇷  / Stairmand 🇳🇿
Men’s Heat 6 – 6.48am – Ohhara 🇯🇵  / Tudela 🇵🇪
Men’s Heat 7 – 7.24am – Mesinas 🇵🇪  / Fioravanti 🇮🇹
Men’s Heat 8 – 8.00am – Wright 🇦🇺  / Flores 🇫🇷

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Quarter-Finals – Monday 26th July (11pm – 3.48am)

First competitor from each heat qualifies for the semi-finals, bottom qualifier is knocked out.

Men’s Heat 1 – 11.00pm – Igarashi 🇯🇵  / Andino 🇺🇸
Men’s Heat 2 – 11.36pm – Bourez 🇫🇷  / Medina 🇧🇷
Men’s Heat 3 – 12.12am – Ferreira 🇧🇷  / Ohhara 🇯🇵
Men’s Heat 4 – 12.48am – Mesinas 🇵🇪  / Wright 🇦🇺

Women’s Heat 1 – 1.24am – Buitendag 🇿🇦  / Hopkins 🇵🇹
Women’s Heat 2 – 2.00am – Hennessy 🇨🇷  / Marks 🇺🇸
Women’s Heat 3 – 2.36am – Moore 🇺🇸  / Lima 🇧🇷
Women’s Heat 4 – 3.12am – Tsuzuki 🇯🇵  / Fitzgibbons 🇦🇺

Semi-Finals – Monday 26th July (3.48am – 6.12am)

First competitor from each heat qualifies for the gold medal match, bottom qualifier qualifies for the bronze medal match.

Men’s Heat 1 – 3.48am – Igarashi 🇯🇵  / Medina 🇧🇷
Men’s Heat 2 – 4.24 am – Ferreira 🇧🇷  / Wright 🇦🇺

Women’s Heat 1 – 5.00am – Buitendag 🇿🇦  / Marks 🇺🇸
Women’s Heat 2 – 5.36am – Moore 🇺🇸  / Tsuzuki 🇯🇵

Bronze Medal Match – Monday 26th July (6.16am – 7.46am)

Men’s Bronze Medal Match – 6.16am – Medina 🇧🇷  / Wright 🇦🇺
Women’s Bronze Medal Match – 7.01am – Marks 🇺🇸  / Tsuzuki 🇯🇵

Gold Medal Match – Monday 26th July (7.46am – 8.31am)

Men’s Gold Medal Match – 7.46am – Igarashi 🇯🇵  / Ferreira 🇧🇷
Women’s Gold Medal Match – 8.31am – Buitendag 🇿🇦  / Moore 🇺🇸

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9. Competition Results

Here are the final results, the medallists for the first ever Men’s and Women’s surfing competition at the Olympics.

1. Gold – Ferreira 🥇 🇧🇷
2. Silver – Igarashi 🥈 🇯🇵
3. Bronze – Wright 🥉 🇦🇺

1. Gold – Moore 🥇 🇺🇸
2. Silver – Buitendag 🥈 🇿🇦
3. Bronze – Tsuzuki 🥉 🇯🇵

11. Olympics Debate

Now, we can’t go this far without talking about the divide surfing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has caused within the wider surfing community.

On the one hand; surfing at the Olympics was viewed as a good thing. Exposing surfers at the top of their game showed the world how surfing has progressed. Some of the people in this camp would probably have no problem calling surfing a sport.

On the other hand, surfing to some is a pastime – it can’t and shouldn’t be bound by competitions, rules and regulations. For many surfers (including myself), surfing is an escape that helps us literally and metaphorically get away from it all. I’d say this community would have no problem calling surfing a hobby.

I didn’t start surfing because I followed a sport, I started surfing because it was fun and I enjoyed being in the sea. But, all that being said – I tuned in for a number of the heats during the event and found it super interesting. I think I still view surfing as a hobby and pastime but now have a greater appreciation for those doing it at the highest level.

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Summary

So that’s it guys, hopefully this post helped you through ‘Surfing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics’ and enjoyed its Olympic debut.

Let me know in the comments below if you watched any of the event yourself and what you thought of the whole thing. Also, feel free to vent your frustrations if you don’t think it should even be in the Olympics – be great to get both sides of the argument.

As always, be sure to follow on the usual socials below to keep up to date with the latest surfing content!

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Next read: ‘How To Remove Surfboard Wax’

The original Surfing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics post was created on The Wave Shack