Learn To Surf In Cornwall: Raven Surf School, Bude

There are several quality surfing beaches in the winningly versatile Bude area, which is just south of the Devon border and relatively quick to reach if you’re coming from outside Cornwall. Raven Surf School, founded by former English, British and European surfing champion Mike Raven, offers lessons at Widemouth Bay; the instructor to student ratio’s always favourable, the instructors themselves are highly trained, and the nearby accommodation options are excellent.

Learn To Surf In Cornwall: Smart Surf School, Sennen Cove

Around the corner from Land’s End you’ll find the small coastal of village Sennen Cove, which though popular with tourists enjoys a more tranquil atmosphere than many other parts of the Cornish coast. It’s home to one of Britain’s finest beaches, and also to one of its best surfing families. Pro surfing brothers Sam and Seb Smart are also very likeable lads, and their surf school routinely receives rave reviews. Due to its position as Britain’s most westerly beach Sennen Cove picks up more swell than anywhere else on the coast, meaning there are often small waves here when it’s virtually flat elsewhere.

Learn To Surf In Cornwall: Wavehunters, Polzeath

If Newquay is the primary residence of UK surfing, Polzeath is its expensive second home. With it’s shallow gradient and predominantly gentle waves, David Cameron’s favourite surf spot is ideally suited to beginner surfers, who stand a good chance of making swift progress at the Wavehunters Surf School. Wavehunters also runs a daily Kids Club through the school holidays for children as young as six, and a bi-weekly Groms Club for slightly older kids; both are a great way of improving in a sociable environment and making new friends.

Situated in John Betjeman’s favourite part of Cornwall, a short walk (“this turfy mile”) along the coast from his beloved Trebetherick.

Learn To Surf In Cornwall: KingSurf Surf School, Mawgan Porth

It’s barely a ten minute drive down the road from Newquay, but Mawgan Porth, an enchanting, relatively secluded village, can sometimes feel like it’s a million miles away. The beach itself is beautiful, the surf great for beginners, and the local surf school one of the finest in the land. KingSurf’s owner and head coach Pete is the personification of stoke; a 24-hour beacon of fun and friendliness, always genuinely excited to get beginner surfers up on their feet. The school runs its own surf camp too, based at nearby Rettorick Mill, where there’s a bar, pool table, bonfire, and unbeatable atmosphere. Like several other surf schools round the Newquay area, Kingsurf can also organise stag and hen party packages, which incorporate not just surfing and accommodation but also food, drink, and a selection of additional activities.

Learn To Surf In Cornwall: Lamiroy Surf Academy

Partnered with Ticket To Ride is the Lamiroy Surf Academy, which is better suited to those who’ve already had a few lessons and are now comfortable getting to their feet. In addition to standard surf lessons, which are available on a one-to-one basis, the LSA runs a very reasonably priced membership scheme that allows members access to a wide range of communal surfboards. In charge of the whole set-up is former national champ Sam Lamiroy, who’s been prominent on the UK pro-surfing scene for the last twenty years. An affable Geordie of Belgian extraction, combining in his appearance the best elements of Guy Garvey and Paul Lambert, he’s a borderline national treasure. “When I was a kid growing up,” says Sam, “I often wished there was a place on the beach where I could hang out and get simple honest surfing advice from the best guys around.” The Lamiroy Surf Academy is just such a place.