Readers' tips ... surfing in the UK
Each week we run a section in the Guardian newspaper's travel section, asking for readers to send in tips on a particular subject. The best tip wins a digital camera courtesy of Jessops. Find out more here.
WINNING TIP
Coast to Coast Surf School, Dunbar
This is the nearest surf school to Edinburgh, run by a nice bunch of local surfers. They taught me everything I know, mainly through their tours up to the north coast and out to the beautiful islands. A great way to learn about “soul surfing”. They opened a cafe in Dunbar last year, next to the train station, where you can have a great post-surf sandwich in the garden. Also check out the Great Escape surf/clothing shop in North Berwick.
c2csurfschool.com, greatescapenorthberwick.co.uk
rustopher
England
Saltburn, North Yorkshire
The north-east of England doesn’t normally spring to mind when you’re talking about surfing but there is a thriving scene here, along with a great place to watch (which is as close to the waves as I get). Saltburn Pier is a better vantage point to see the action than the beach. For those braver than myself, tuition and equipment hire
are available.
redcar-cleveland.gov.uk (search for surf)
gdeanouk
Cayton Bay, North Yorkshire
On a cold, clear-blue spring day, park up at Cayton Bay, just south of Scarborough, and walk to the cliff edge to check out the surf. If all you can see is fog, take the risk. Put your wetsuit on, walk down the cliff path and paddle in – 50m later, if you are lucky, you won’t be able to see the shore and you have the best chilled, clean waves in England to yourself. I’ve surfed round the world, and this is still my most amazing surf experience.
Andyaconda
Polzeath, Cornwall
As two girls, on our first trip to Cornwall, we ended up in Polzeath because we had heard it was a nice area for beginners and there are lots of things to see and do. We keep going back every year, and each time we camp at the farm which sits on the hill with breathtaking views over the bay. You can easily walk to the beach from there and the views from the farm are breathtaking. I recommend Surf’s Up for anyone learning to surf – between lessons walk along the coast to Rock for a cream tea while staring across the bay to Padstow. Don’t miss out on Daimler Bay, voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. For an exceptional meal head up the road to The Mote in Port Isaac, but do book.
polzeathcamping.co.uk/southwinds.htm, surfsupsurfschool.com, the-mote-in-port-isaac.co.uk
Nanna
Newquay, Cornwall
Getting up at 4am and squeezing into an already wet wetsuit in a freezing cold (and probably rainy) car park may not sound like fun, but to watch the sun emerge from behind Cornish cliffs as you paddle out into uncrowded waves is British surfing paradise. Sharing the natural beauty of early morning waves and a beautiful coastline with just a few other enthusiastic surfers makes these experiences special. The freezing conditions and early start make every wave you catch all the more gratifying, and afterwards, muscles comfortably aching, you can enjoy a fresh Cornish pasty knowing you deserve it.
allypw
Scotland
Oldshoremore beach, Sutherland
Oldshoremore beach is a stunning beach at what seems like the end of the world in Sutherland, the far north-west of Scotland. It is surrounded by mountains teaming with birds of prey, stags and highland cattle. The Atlantic waves create great conditions for surfers – the sandy bay makes it ideal for learners and the swell (when it gets up, and it really does get up) makes it great for hard-core surfers too. You have to share the ocean, not with other surfers – there aren’t any – but with dolphins, basking sharks and sea otters.
viv76
Wales
Caswell Bay and Rest Bay
Caswell Bay on the Gower peninsula near Swansea and Rest Bay near Porthcawl are the best beaches to learn to surf in south Wales. Caswell is a pretty cove which is not as exposed as Llangennith – the other main beach for beginners on the Gower. Rest Bay picks up a larger swell and usually the better-shaped waves, though it is more challenging. Because of the massive tidal range in the Bristol Channel, beaches on the Welsh side only work for surfers on a rising tide, so get
to these three to four hours before
high tide.
andrewthomas1000
WINNING TIP
Coast to Coast Surf School, Dunbar
This is the nearest surf school to Edinburgh, run by a nice bunch of local surfers. They taught me everything I know, mainly through their tours up to the north coast and out to the beautiful islands. A great way to learn about “soul surfing”. They opened a cafe in Dunbar last year, next to the train station, where you can have a great post-surf sandwich in the garden. Also check out the Great Escape surf/clothing shop in North Berwick.
c2csurfschool.com, greatescapenorthberwick.co.uk
rustopher
England
Saltburn, North Yorkshire
The north-east of England doesn’t normally spring to mind when you’re talking about surfing but there is a thriving scene here, along with a great place to watch (which is as close to the waves as I get). Saltburn Pier is a better vantage point to see the action than the beach. For those braver than myself, tuition and equipment hire
are available.
redcar-cleveland.gov.uk (search for surf)
gdeanouk
Cayton Bay, North Yorkshire
On a cold, clear-blue spring day, park up at Cayton Bay, just south of Scarborough, and walk to the cliff edge to check out the surf. If all you can see is fog, take the risk. Put your wetsuit on, walk down the cliff path and paddle in – 50m later, if you are lucky, you won’t be able to see the shore and you have the best chilled, clean waves in England to yourself. I’ve surfed round the world, and this is still my most amazing surf experience.
Andyaconda
Polzeath, Cornwall
As two girls, on our first trip to Cornwall, we ended up in Polzeath because we had heard it was a nice area for beginners and there are lots of things to see and do. We keep going back every year, and each time we camp at the farm which sits on the hill with breathtaking views over the bay. You can easily walk to the beach from there and the views from the farm are breathtaking. I recommend Surf’s Up for anyone learning to surf – between lessons walk along the coast to Rock for a cream tea while staring across the bay to Padstow. Don’t miss out on Daimler Bay, voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. For an exceptional meal head up the road to The Mote in Port Isaac, but do book.
polzeathcamping.co.uk/southwinds.htm, surfsupsurfschool.com, the-mote-in-port-isaac.co.uk
Nanna
Newquay, Cornwall
Getting up at 4am and squeezing into an already wet wetsuit in a freezing cold (and probably rainy) car park may not sound like fun, but to watch the sun emerge from behind Cornish cliffs as you paddle out into uncrowded waves is British surfing paradise. Sharing the natural beauty of early morning waves and a beautiful coastline with just a few other enthusiastic surfers makes these experiences special. The freezing conditions and early start make every wave you catch all the more gratifying, and afterwards, muscles comfortably aching, you can enjoy a fresh Cornish pasty knowing you deserve it.
allypw
Scotland
Oldshoremore beach, Sutherland
Oldshoremore beach is a stunning beach at what seems like the end of the world in Sutherland, the far north-west of Scotland. It is surrounded by mountains teaming with birds of prey, stags and highland cattle. The Atlantic waves create great conditions for surfers – the sandy bay makes it ideal for learners and the swell (when it gets up, and it really does get up) makes it great for hard-core surfers too. You have to share the ocean, not with other surfers – there aren’t any – but with dolphins, basking sharks and sea otters.
viv76
Wales
Caswell Bay and Rest Bay
Caswell Bay on the Gower peninsula near Swansea and Rest Bay near Porthcawl are the best beaches to learn to surf in south Wales. Caswell is a pretty cove which is not as exposed as Llangennith – the other main beach for beginners on the Gower. Rest Bay picks up a larger swell and usually the better-shaped waves, though it is more challenging. Because of the massive tidal range in the Bristol Channel, beaches on the Welsh side only work for surfers on a rising tide, so get
to these three to four hours before
high tide.
andrewthomas1000