The first time you dip your toe in the water can be a daunting one, especially when the water is from the North Sea, however Coast to Coast Surf School have the uncanny ability to stoke the fire of enthusiasm as they introduce you to the world of surfing with open arms. As a beginner, I enrolled in their weekend course at Belhaven Beach just 30 miles outside Edinburgh which was great fun both in and out of the water. The team of instructors seemed to genuinely love teaching and instilled confidence in the most wary of pupils. Lessons aren't just for beginners. The school offers improver courses, yoga and surf on the beach as well as weekend and full week surf tours around Scotland. Kids are also catered for with holiday lessons and surf fun during the holidays. Hire of kit and surfboards are also very reasonable. Believe me, the wetsuits are the warmest that I have ever come across and I did not feel cold once.

The surf vibe is not felt purely on the beach as the school also owns the Coast Café in Dunbar which is located right at the train station. It is a small intimate café which sells delicious soups and home baking which are well worth waiting for – and you will wait – it appears nothing is rushed in the surfing world. However this is not a bad thing as there is plenty to browse at in this quaint fuel stop or indeed you can sit outside in the garden and have a few goes on the skate board ramp while your hunger builds. The café is also known to host BBQs and party evenings with local DJs and various forms of entertainment. Everyone is made to feel welcome – even the newbies drained after their first attempt at mastering the surf board.

If you are looking to find some surf culture in Scotland, I'd say that Coast to Coast Surf School and the Coast Café in Dunbar is a pretty good place to start.

Coast to Coast Surf School
Station Road
Dunbar
EH42 1JX
Tel :07971 990 361
E-mail : surfing@c2csurfschool.com

COAST CAFE
Station Road
Dunbar EH42 1JX
01368 864 596

Nearest Station - Dunbar. Cafe & Surf School Office located just beside Dunbar Station - free lifts to beach can be pre-arranged with the school.

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Belhaven Bay! I adore Belhaven Bay! It has got wide open spaces. You can walk for an hour without disturbance. You can even get stranded! It has got a beautiful silence. In summer you can swim among jellyfish, crabs and much more! If the tide is in, there is a bridge to nowhere! Where is it to? Come back when the tide is out and see. If you are a runner, this is heaven! Standing on top of the bridge looking out towards the sea, you won't see anything but beauty. You can make sand sculptures until the tide comes in and gets you. You can make dams and accessories (sofa, TV etc). Some things are quite difficult to make on other beaches, but Belhaven Bay has damp sand. There is fun for everyone! It's the perfect place for flying kites! Almost every day you will get the wind in your hair! The feeling is tremendous! There is a magical feeling about Belhaven Bay! I just love paddling in the cool water or even swimming! Connie and I often make fairy swimming pools with channels and islands. It's a brilliant place to meet up with friends, have a chat, go for a walk and things like that. Grand waves crash on to the beach, excellent for surfers! On calm days, you can see right across to Fife! So from getting stranded to swimming with jellyfish, Belhaven Bay is BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!

Love Delilah (age 10).

At the bottom of Belhaven hill, near Miss Auld's house.

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