Surfing Lessons in the UK: A Complete Guide from an Industry Pro
If you want to know the when, how and where of surfing lessons in the UK, Dave ‘the Wave’ Muir is your man. He runs award-winning Sennen Surfing Centre in Cornwall, one of the longest-running surf schools in the UK.
But his interest in surfing extends beyond the golden sands of Sennen. He is a qualified International Surfing Association judge and has spent many years judging British Surfing Association competitions across the UK, including Cornwall’s legendary Boardmasters event.
In other words, Dave has earned his chops on the scene across the UK and anything he doesn’t know about surfing… well, you get the idea.
Without further ado, here’s Dave’s answers to pretty much every query out there about surfing lessons in the UK.
I’ve never even stood up on a board. Will we be practicing popping up before we go in the water?
All lessons require a little bit of technique on the beach before you get in the water. At Sennen Surf Centre, how much time we spend on the beach depends on your experience. My best tip is to embrace the shoreside learning: if the coach can give you that info on the beach, the time you do spend in the water will be better spent. So be patient, listen to the instruction on the beach and soon you’ll be up and surfing.
Can I take a single lesson and expect to be standing up on the board by the end?
Yes, if you are fit and healthy. But give it some time if you want to get any good.
So how long does it take to get good?
I would say five to ten days in the water would give someone a really good start. But ideally you’ll want to put in a summer of surfing as much as you can. It’s all about being given the right tools in your lessons to take away in practice.
What kinds of waves will I be riding in a lesson? And what if it’s a bit hairy out there?
First-time surfers generally catch white water at waist depth. Sometimes, if you are really lucky, waist depth can be green unbroken waves. Beautiful!
If it is too dangerous, lessons won’t go ahead. But it is good to learn in varying conditions. Anyone taking surfing lessons in the UK needs to know it is not always sunny and two foot – even in Cornwall. :)
What should I do if I wipe out?
Relax and cover your head with your hands. You are attached to a surfboard and you’ll always get to the surface. Remember, you’re only at waist depth at first and instructors are with you at all times.
What rules do I need to follow in the water?
Surf etiquette should be explained by your surf school / instructor. Don’t drop in on other people, which means catch a wave that someone nearby is already riding. Don’t ditch your board. Be aware of other people around you at all times. And follow the RNLI beach zoning flags; it’s always best to surf on a lifeguarded beach if you are not with a surf school. There’s a good post here that outlines some of the main rules of the water for anyone taking surfing lessons in the UK.
I’ve surfed quite a bit already. Are lessons for me?
Surfing is one sport where you are never really that good; there is always room to improve or focus on a particular technique. So you could get help learning to trim (leaning to one side or the other to change direction), riding unbroken waves, turning left and right, or executing a bottom turn. These are all things a good instructor can help you with even if you already have some experience.
There has actually been a huge uptake from intermediate surfers recently. It’s probably the pandemic that has encouraged people to pick up their surfboards again – it’s a sport out in the open air and so it’s easy to social distance. In fact, we’ve found we are teaching more intermediates than beginners at the minute.
What do I need to bring before a lesson begins?
Towel. Swimmers. Suncream. Most surf schools will provide everything else, from boards to wetsuits.
What kind of board and wetsuit will be right for me?
Most people will start on an eight-foot board. Bigger people might have a larger board. At Sennen Surf Centre, we use a brand called Softech for our lessons. These soft boards are floaty and buoyant, which gives learners confidence and helps them to surf safely. Using soft boards is pretty much standard across the industry.
For children, we will use bodyboards for younger kids but most kids stand up on a full-length board more easily than adults can.
As for wetsuits, in summer a 3/2mm suit is fine and in winter we’d use winter suits. At other times – spring and autumn – a 4/3mm autumn suit/ steamer is the right choice.
Can we take a lesson and surf as a whole family?
Yes you can! With Sennen Surf Centre, you can take a private family lesson or make up a maximum of six in a group with other learners. Other surf schools will do the same.
We have loads of families coming to us. And learning together this way is amazing. Surfing is such a leveler – and one of the few sports children and parents can learn together. Normally the youngest is the best one in the family, partly because of their size but also because they lack fear and don’t overthink things.
How can I be sure I (and my kids) will be safe?
Look out for these two things:
1) All trainers in your chosen surf school should have at least ISA Level 1 qualifications.
2) Accreditation with the national body, Surfing England.
All good surf schools should have a maximum ratio one instructor to eight learners in a group. We are actually a one-instructor-to-six-learners surf school. As for kids, up until the age of eight we insist on one-to-one coaching and recommend you choose a surf school that does the same. That ensures children are safe, as they have one coach keeping a close eye on them. It’s also just loads more fun for kids getting that one-on-one attention – and really encourages them too.
How much are surfing lessons in the UK?
On average, you’ll pay around £35 for a group lesson and around £80 for a private. Of course, there’ll be some variation in that, depending on where you’re surfing.
Sell it to me: why will surfing rock my world?
In a sentence? It will change your life! You’ll get to meet new people and share an awesome experience out on the waves. It’s a lot of fun and many people get addicted: it should probably come with a health warning…
Where can I learn to surf in the UK?
Newquay in Cornwall, because of the diverse beaches and different angles of the beaches, which means they collect swell in a variety of ways and offer different surfing experiences.
Perranuthanoe and Praa Sands in Cornwall have a great longboard community in the winter – it feels like California!
Joss Bay in Kent has really clean, small waves – this is an ideal spot to visit if you are living in London.
Rest Bay in Porthcawl, Wales, has good, consistent swell and is only 30 minutes or so from Cardiff and Swansea.
Wave pools – don’t discount them! There are pools in Bristol and Snowdonia and these are a massive opportunity to sneak in a quick surf in perfect conditions
Sennen, in Cornwall. Of course I’m going to finish on my home patch. It’s a stunningly beautiful blue flag cove, with lifeguard cover. It’s amazing because it’s a graduated beach, so you get smaller waves to the south side and bigger wave towards the north. This means has something for everyone. It also has what must be the clearest waters in the UK and is one of the friendliest places you can learn to surf. The car park is right on the beach, so you can watch your family surf from your car, or a nearby café/ restaurant overlooking the beach. I could go on… :)
Dave moved to Cornwall around 20 years ago to play cricket, and did a bit of surfing in his downtime. Soon he didn’t want to leave the water to play cricket, so the only thing to do was start his own surf business!
Twenty years on, Dave’s team is made up of highly experienced coaches and young pro surfers who all come through his homegrown cadet system. Each has at least International Surfing Association Level 1 qualifications. Says Dave, ‘We are like a massive family – the vibe is amazingly friendly.’ Dave is also a rep for Surfers Against Sewage, which is dedicated to the protection of oceans, waves, beaches and wildlife
You can contact Sennen Surf Centre here to talk to Dave and the team about booking your surfing lesson in the UK’s most beautiful spot for catching a wave.
Disclaimer: while generally reflecting best practice, Dave’s answers reveal his approach at Sennen Surf Centre. Do check with your chosen surf school if you have any specific questions or concerns.
Word by Martin Philp at Coast Copywriting.
