You may not master surfing in a couple of days, but you’ll get a taste of this fun, exhilarating sport, and quite possibly get hooked. Cornwall is the place to learn with its gorgeous safe beaches. Head for the sheltered and pretty Harlyn Beach for top quality tuition on a regular surf board or try the easier Hawaiian-style stand-up paddleboarding or sea-kayaking. 
Recommended school: Harlyn Surf School
Harlyn Surf School says
Based on Harlyn Bay, close to Padstow, we were one of the first surf schools to open in Cornwall back in 1994. We’re family-run and enormously proud to have achieved the highest approval rating (Level 4) from the British Surfing Association.
Our instructors offer fun, safe and expert tuition for all levels of experience, whether you want to enjoy surfing, paddleboarding or try our sit-on ocean kayaks to explore the fabulous coastal scenery. We’ve got all the requisite gear on site so you don’t need to bring anything with you.
Our choice of courses ranges from one up to five days, and some include extras such as speedboat rides and cycle trails. Surfboards, wetsuits and bodyboards are all available for hire.
95% of our students of all ages are able to stand on their boards in their first lesson - often to their surprise. And since we’ve been granted virtually exclusive use of the Harlyn beach, it never gets over-crowded.
Accommodation includes a choice of three local campsites, a couple of small hotels and some self-catering cottages and apartments. We offer a list of places in the area which we are happy to recommend.
Click here for more about surfing in Cornwall and prices.
