Surf Lessons in Cornwall

Surf Lessons in Cornwall at Stoked Surf School

Cornwall's north coast picks up Atlantic swell all year round, which is why so many people in the UK take surf lessons in Cornwall rather than anywhere else. If you're planning a trip and you want to actually get up on a board, the two things that matter are a beach that suits beginners and coaches who know it properly.

We're on Perranporth Beach, about halfway along the north coast between Newquay and St Agnes. It's a wide sandy beach break that works across most tides, and that matters more than it sounds. It means your lesson goes ahead when you booked it, rather than being shuffled around the forecast.

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Why beginners do well here

Perranporth is sand all the way through the learning area. No reef, no rocks, nothing to worry about underfoot beyond the odd weeverfish, and we'll show you how to shuffle your feet so you avoid those too.

The beach is big enough that you're not learning in a crowd, and it's patrolled by RNLI lifeguards from April to October. We're also the only surf school with a permanent base on the beach itself, so you're changing, storing your things and collecting boards a couple of minutes from the water rather than hauling kit across a car park.

What a lesson actually involves

Two hours in the water, and everything's included. Board, wetsuit, coaching, the lot.

Every one of our coaches is a qualified lifeguard as well as an ISA or Surfing England accredited instructor, and the school itself is Surfing England accredited. You'll spend a short while on the sand learning the pop-up and the safety basics, then the rest of the session in waist to chest depth water with a coach in there alongside you.

We'll also put you on The Loop, our own surfing ability measure, so you leave knowing exactly what you're working on next rather than guessing.

Lessons run daily through the season for anyone aged 7 and up. If you've got younger children, a private lesson suits them better and we're happy to take them.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When to come to Cornwall

The season runs from spring through to late autumn, and the water is warmest in August and early September, sitting around 16 to 17 degrees. Sea temperature lags behind the air by a good six to eight weeks, so September often surprises people. The beaches have quietened down, the first autumn swells start arriving, and the water hasn't caught up with the change in weather yet.

You don't need to bring anything for the cold. Our wetsuits are 4/3mm and suitable year round, and they're included in every lesson.

Already know what you're doing?

If you've surfed before and just need kit, we hire boards and wetsuits seven days a week from the same base. Soft boards from £15 a day, wetsuits from £10. Have a look at surf hire.

Surf Lesson Prices

Group lessons start at £45 per person. Family lessons start at £75, and private lessons with a coach to yourselves start at £100. Most people find one session isn't enough, so we do better rates on multiple lessons across a week.

Full pricing for every lesson type is on our surf lessons page.

Surf Lessons in Cornwall - FAQs

Where's the best place to learn to surf in Cornwall?

The north coast is where the swell is, and you want a sandy beach break rather than a reef. Perranporth fits: it's sand throughout, it works across most tides, and it's wide enough that you're not learning shoulder to shoulder with everyone else. Newquay and Widemouth are popular too, though they get considerably busier in peak season.

When is the best time of year to surf in Cornwall?

For learning, anywhere from late spring to October. The water is warmest in August and early September at around 16 to 17 degrees, because sea temperature runs six to eight weeks behind the air. September and early October are our favourite months to teach: warm water, fewer people and the first proper autumn swells.

How cold is the sea in Cornwall, and do I need a wetsuit?

You'll want one all year, and we provide it. Our wetsuits are 4/3mm, which is warm enough to surf comfortably in Cornwall in any season. Boots, gloves and hoods are available too if you're surfing in the depths of winter.

Do I need to be able to swim to have a surf lesson?

Not for beginner or improver lessons. We only go out to waist or chest depth and a coach is in the water with you throughout. We've taught people who can't swim at all. If you're at all worried, a private lesson gives you a coach to yourself.

How much do surf lessons cost in Cornwall?

Ours start at £45 per person for a two hour group lesson with all equipment included. Family lessons start at £75 and private lessons at £100. Prices vary across Cornwall, but be careful comparing on price alone: check whether equipment is included and what the coach to surfer ratio is. We cap ours at 1:8.

Featured Surf Lessons At Stoked

At Stoked Surf School, we have a range of lesson types available for your individual needs. Check our featured lessons below or head to our Surf Lessons page to see the full selection.