Frequently referred to as the Hawaii of Europe, the volcanic island of Fuerteventura is a terrific surfing locale. When you go is your choice, but winter is a good bet, both for the surf and the sun. Comprising seven large islands, and a half-dozen smaller ones, this arid archipelago benefits from a chain of lava reefs and more than its fair share of strong mid-Atlantic winds. If you want to venture out of the British Isles, there are few destinations as pleasurable – or as warm – as the Canary Islands. See oceanfront holiday rentals in the UK > Alternatively, a fun-packed private family lesson (£119, up to 4 people) by a Surf GB qualified instructor is certain to start your surfing ‘career’ with a bang. There are more advanced options too, where you can surf among a group of five (£42) – ideal for families – or even enjoy one-on-one tuition (£65). Opt for a two-hour surfing or bodyboarding taster lesson (£30) and you’ll be among a group of eight, sharing an instructor and learning the basics, from beach safety to skimming the waves. The vastly experienced team have been coaching budding surfers in Newquay for two decades, and offer a variety of packages to suit all ability levels. The Rip Curl English Surf School is a great place to get started. Another is Fistral Beach in Newquay, its long stretch of sand backed by low cliffs and the venue for various annual surf festivals, among them Boardmasters. There are countless surf spots along the Cornwall and Devon coast Porthmeor, in St Ives, with its lapping Mediterranean-blue waves, is an astute choice, its gentle summer swells perfect for first-timers. Boasting terrific water sport conditions, wide expanses of golden sand and a preponderance of hotels and campsites, it’s ideal for a maiden family surfing trip. The undisputed king of Blighty surfing destinations, though, is Cornwall. Do your research and you can head for whichever outpost suits you, be it Saltburn-on-Sea, Tynemouth or Jersey. There’s a plethora of coastal towns at which to decamp, with waves varying in size to suit your level.
Shall we start at home? Sure, why not? Let’s see if we can boost that surfing revenue to a round £2 billion.
Never surfed before? Don’t worry: I’ve recommended some top surf schools to get you started. If you’re wondering how you’ll keep the kids entertained on your next getaway, I propose that a surfing holiday will do just the trick, with the following destinations providing the perfect backdrop. A desire to try something new, a willingness to put up with failure – yes, you will fall, fall and fall again, in new and ever more spectacular ways that grant your cohorts a good chuckle – and a love of the water are the only ingredients required. The truth is, anyone can give the sport a blast: individuals, groups of friends, families. This template is as misleading as the one advanced in Point Break – that surfers are a ragtag bunch who rob banks when they’re not chasing mammoth breakers. Long-haired and lithe, perennially tanned, prone to ending every sentence with dude, dude. Let’s get it out of the way: there’s a popular image of ‘the surfer’. There are 500,000 surfers that call Britain home, and with an abundance of coastline surrounding us – newsflash: we’re an island! – there’s no reason why that number shouldn’t swell in the coming years. Surfing is big business in the UK, and the stats bear this out: last year it was reported that the sport represented some £1.8 billion to the economy(*). I’d love to hear that you braved the coolness of the ocean, forging toward the horizon off the coast of Cornwall, Gower, Devon or Thurso that you conquered waves large and small before the sun skedaddled to its hideaway, obscured by a screen of autumn clouds. When was the last time you went surfing? Given that we’ve enjoyed one of the warmest UK summers in memory – in fact, the fourth hottest since 1910 – I’d hope the answer is “ Recently”.
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