Category: On the water

Paddleboarding in Cornwall

What better way to explore the craggy coastline of Cornwall than afloat on a paddleboard?

Tone your core and hone your balance as you glide from bay to bay, via smugglers’ caves, hidden coves and secret lagoons, peering down into the blue abyss to see jellyfish, crabs and shoals of fish. You might even snag a mackerel on a hand line or spot a seal on your tail.

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Far from being solely a sublime summer sport, stand-up paddleboarding can be enjoyed all year round in Cornwall. In fact, autumn is one of our favourite times to launch from the crowd-free beaches, while the ocean is still warm and teeming with wildlife. Even on a crisp mid-winter’s day, in a decent wetsuit you can enjoy a paddle in a sheltered cove. Whether you pack your own inflatable paddleboard, or hire one or set out with an expert guide, paddleboarding is the perfect way to twist your perspective on the stunning Cornish coastline. Look from the outside in, and get your fill of fresh sea air, as you propel yourself across the water, interacting with your natural surroundings.

All of our Beach Retreats are a pebble’s throw from the coast, making it easy to enjoy a stand-up paddleboarding adventure from your doorstep. And in these crazy times, it’s more vital than ever to immerse ourselves in nature, embrace the seasons and stay active, in order to boost our mental health and happiness. As soon as you cast away from the stress of the daily grind on a paddleboard, your mind and body tunes into the sights and sounds of the coast, and the rhythm of your paddle, while developing your strength, endurance, balance, coordination and agility.

Expert SUP coach Dom Moore, of the Surf Sanctuary at Fistral beach, waxes lyrical about the benefits of paddle boarding in Cornwall: “SUP tours are a great way for newcomers and families to experience paddleboarding and discover the beautiful wilderness of our coastline.” Get away from it all and get to grips with the basics on a two-hour tour, or learn everything you need to know about paddle boarding on a two-day Atlantic Expedition. On the latter not only can you explore different routes and take your skills to a new level, you will also learn about the tides, the wind, the moon, how to read maps and apps, and safety and rescue techniques.

With over 400 miles of coastline to explore in Cornwall, there are so many paddleboarding routes and beaches to choose from. Make sure you take a dry bag, a picnic, and a mobile phone, and always check the weather, wind and swell forecast before you go. Never launch a paddleboard in offshore winds.

5 OF OUR FAVOURITE PADDLEBOARDING SPOTS

Gorran Haven

Launch from the historic harbour at Gorran Haven and nudge around the coast to the deserted Vault beach. If you’ve got enough paddle power and the wind and currents are in your favour, push on around Dodman point, where you’ll often encounter seals on the way to Hemmick beach.

Cast away with Haven Kayaks.

Holidays near Gorran Haven.

Gorran Haven

The Helford Passage

Time your trip with the tides and float along the Helford River, exploring hidden creeks and spotting plenty of wildlife on route. Families might like to try a 2.5-hour tour onboard an 8-man Mega SUP.

Cast away with Ocean High.

Cawsand Beach

The calm and sheltered waters lapping Cawsand are the perfect territory to get your balance on a stand-up paddleboard. Nail the basic techniques with a SUP lesson, or join a full- or half-day guided trip to explore sea caves and secret coves.

Cast away with Cawsand Kayak Hire.

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Carbis Bay, St Ives

The sheltered, sub-tropical Carbis Bay is a divine location to cast off on a stand-up paddleboard. Explore the nooks and crannies of the coastline, gaze out to Godrevy lighthouse, and moor up on the St Ives’ beaches for food and refreshments.

Cast away with Ocean Sports Centre.

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The Gazzle and The Gannel, Newquay

Discover crabs and blennies hiding in the nooks and crannies of Newquay’s sheltered ‘Gazzle’ area, or float along the serene River Gannel spotting little egrets, greenshanks and other birds that flock to the rich pickings of the salt marshes.

Cast away with The Surf Sanctuary.

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Wildlife to spot while paddleboarding in Cornwall…

Seabirds – lookout for the black and white feathers of Guillemots clinging to the sea cliffs the distinctive orange beaks of oyster catchers, the graceful shags and cormorants perched on the rocks, and gannets diving deep below the surface for fish.

Mackerel – the blue and green tiger strips of mackerel can be seen shimmering beneath the water in huge shoals in spring and summer. Throw out a hand line and catch one to put on the barbecue for dinner.

Spider crabs – easily recognisable by their red shells and long limbs, spider crabs have a claw-span up to 80cm and live up to 40 years.

Seals – the most frequently sighted mammals in Cornwall, seals are playful and inquisitive, s they’re likely pop up and eyeball you as you paddle by.

Dolphins – the most magical sight is a pod of dolphins, their fins dancing above the waves.

Discover adrenaline-pumping adventures and unforgettable experiences with Newquay’s wild activities.

Find your place by the sea with a self-catering holiday in Cornwall.

 

King of the Surf – Pete Abell, Day in the Life of

Do you dream about making a career out of living by the beach and surfing? We catch a few waves with Pete Abell of KingSurf, to get the lowdown on running your own surf school in Cornwall. But before you read on, check this video showcasing a typical day in the life of a surf instructor.

IT’S A BEAUTIFUL OCTOBER DAY when I paddle out at Mawgan Porth to meet Pete in the waves. When there’s 2-3ft clean surf, there’s nowhere better to meet a surf instructor than in the very territory that set his path to running one of the best surf schools in Cornwall. As he rides wave after wave, chatting enthusiastically between each ride, Pete’s passion for surfing and the ocean shows no bounds. Eventually I persuade to get him to return to dry land, for a coffee and chat.

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WAKE UP CALL

“Every morning when I wake up, I look out the window to see if the sky’s blue and the surf’s good. I get the coffee machine going, check the waves and the flag on the back on the surf school, to decide whether it’s worth leaving the wife and the baby to head in for a surf before I’ve got two or three lessons to teach. I often wake up 5am, and once I’ve looked outside I can’t get back to sleep if the conditions are good – I just want to be out there in the waves.”

FAMILY MAN

“I’m actually just a regular Dad – a family man. As I’ve got older I’ve found myself getting up less and less for those early surfs. I end up playing with the baby and wooden train set instead. I do try and get a surf in for myself every day if I can, but most mornings my wife and I walk up to the top of the cliffs together to get a better view of what the waves and banks are doing from a higher point of view. If it’s looking good, we’ll come back, have breakfast and get in.”

BEACH HOUSE

“I live right beside the surf school, in Mawgan Porth. Which is great in the winter when you can just pop down, do your lesson or have a surf, then get warm again. And it’s easy to nip down and get the boards out to be geared up and ready for the first lesson each morning. But sometimes in the summer you can end up spending all your time at work. I spend practically all my time in Mawgan Porth – work there, sleep there, socialise there – it’s a great community. I can go six weeks without leaving the valley. If Tesco didn’t deliver I wouldn’t eat.”

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CALL OF THE OCEAN

“My father took me to Mawgan Porth when I was eight and we borrowed some foamies to mess around in the waves. As soon as we got home to Gloucestershire I craved being back by the beach, even at that young age. Whenever we went on holiday to the beach I’d spend about 10 hours a day in the sea. We had family holidays all over Cornwall, but as soon as I got my driving licence I always returned to Mawgan Porth. Eventually it became my home. And now the time’s come for me to pass that love for the ocean onto my own son, Marlon. He stood up on his first wave at Mawgan Porth when he was 11 months old.”

SURFING

“Surfing’s become so popular now. We run two or three surfing lessons a day. We don’t want our group sizes to get too big, so we keep the ratios down by running three, or even four lessons a day. We put everyone in groups that suit their ability, and try to keep that personal experience. Mawgan Porth beach is so wide at low tide, that even if there are three groups running simultaneously, you feel like you have plenty of space.

We’ve got huge boards and high-tech kit, so everyone’s got a 99% chance of standing up in their first lesson. Our main aim is make sure you ride your first wave and are stoked. But we also ensure we teach you about staying safe in the ocean.

I love watching people progress, then see them come back with their own board (I’ll even take them to the shop to make sure they get the right board to suit them) for the odd advanced lesson. It’s not just the physical progression; what I love most is when I see that I’ve made surfing a part of someone’s life.”

SEASONS

“Look at us – we’re sat here in short sleeves, balmy sunshine, just out of the sea. September and October are the best months ever in Cornwall, and May and June are epic, too. The best advice I can give to families and couples that don’t have to fit in with school holidays, is to come down before and after peak season. In fact, the most under-rated season in Cornwall is winter. It’s just so good – there’s no one here, it’s half the price to stay anywhere, there are no queues, you can book a table at any restaurant, and the waves can be amazing. We run winter surf camps – including food, surf forecasting and video analysis – that we can run from your Beach Retreat. It’s a huge step up from a regular surfing lesson.”

BRAVING THE ELEMENTS

“Bad weather can make surfing even better. And it’s way more fun than playing pitch and putt in the rain! When you head out in the wind and rain, I know you’re committed and that you really want to learn to surf. I would – hand on heart – say that I can keep you as warm in the winter as I can in the summer. Sometimes even warmer. We’ve got 5mm wetsuits, hoods, boots and gloves. A bit of wind and blown out waves aren’t going to affect you if you’re just learning. And if you’re intermediate and looking for green waves to progress on, we’ll take you to a more sheltered beach. Being on the outskirts of Newquay, we’re so lucky to have access to beaches for all different conditions.”

MUSIC

I used to listen punk or heavy metal to get me amped for surfing. But now I go surfing just to glide around on the waves and I don’t push myself. So I prefer to listen to something mellow like Ben Howard instead. I go out to be at one with the sea and in harmony with nature. The older I get the less waves I want. To let someone else go and catch the stoke is almost as good as having it myself.

LIFESTYLE

I love the surfing and beach lifestyle here in Cornwall. The pace is less hectic and the nature of life is less competitive. People pay thousands of pounds to come down and live the lifestyle that we live every day… the surf, the laid-back social life and the sundowners. 99% of my life revolves around surfing. We’re so lucky to call this place home.

Find a beach location for your next holiday to Cornwall, and keep an eye out on our special offers page for the latest deals and discounts.

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Explore the Cornish coast with Cornwall Rock Tors

You haven’t seen the real Cornwall until you’ve viewed it from the ocean. We jump in the water with Cornish Rock Tors.

There are hundreds of ways to explore Cornwall, but have you ever viewed our beautiful coastline from the sea itself?

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Cornish Rock Tors offer a number of different perspectives, running water-based activities around Polzeath on Cornwall’s north coast and the Roseland Peninsula in the South East.

While some tours such as coasteering and rock climbing no doubt suit adrenaline junkies, others such as ecosteering, wild swimming and sea kayaking suit the more curious and reflective among us.

Similarly, the two different coastlines offer two distinctly different vibes. On the tranquil Roseland Peninsula the feeling of having escaped the crowds is very real; here it’s all about relaxed sea kayaking trips and wild swims across the crystal clear, lagoon-like waters. Meanwhile, on the rugged north coast, it’s about drama and waves.

Discover the hidden treasures of Sennen, uncovering the charm and beauty of this coastal gem.

Whatever activity or coast floats your boat, you’ll experience an otherwise inaccessible stretch of the Cornish coast.

Cornish Rock Tors offer:

Coasteering: Jump, climb, scramble and swim around the coastline
Ecosteering: The trill of coasteering while learning about the versatile marine biology along the coast
Wild swimming: swimming in sheltered, secluded coves for all abilities
Rock climbing: scale the granite crags and cliffs of Cornwall
Sea kayaking: paddle to remote beaches, spot wildlife and explore beautiful, unspoiled scenery away from the crowds
Adventure weekends: Why pick just one activity?

www.cornishrocktors.com
[email protected]
+44 (0) 7791 534884

Cornish Rock Tors are based in Polzeath – a 40 minute drive from our properties at Watergate Bay, Porth and Fistral. Search and book your stay in Cornwall with Beach Retreats or check out our latest deals and offers.

Fancy staying in Rock instead, discover our Rock holiday properties.

What we do when the surf goes flat…

When the swell is on in Cornwall we’re the first to grab our boards and hit the surf. But what happens when the swell goes flat? One thing you won’t be is bored. Here are our favourite water-based things to do.

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Wakey wakey

Wakeboarding is the one of the fasted growing sports in the UK. It’s similar to snowboarding or skateboarding and involves being strapped to a short board in your usual surf-stance-style and being towed along the water’s surface – in these instances by a remote controlled cable. Once you’re up you’ll try changing to switch stance, ollies (small jumps) and then onto ramps, rails and boxes. You’ll find wakeboarding with South West Lakes Trust at Siblyback Lake near Liskeard on the edge of Bodmin, alongside windsurfing, sailing and kayaking, or head further south to Kernow Wake Park near Falmouth, who also run a special ladies night on Thursdays (Dirty Dancing soundtrack included).

Go with the flow

The Loop – Flowrider at The Retallack Resort from TR7 Video Productions on Vimeo.

Think it’s flat and there’s no waves? Think again. The Flowrider at Retallack Resort near Newquay has harnessed the power of a thin sheet of fast-moving water and a contoured bottom to create a standing wave. It gives you a similar experience to surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding allowing you to carve, turn and ride up and down the wave. It’s open to all levels and abilities, with body boarding sessions being the preferred weapon of choice for beginners.

Coast-cheering

Jump, swim, scramble and climb around Cornwall’s beautiful coastline by joining one of many organised coasteering groups. No two sessions are ever the same as the coastline changes with the tide, swell and individuals on the group: see seals, swim through caves, climb into blowholes or just catch your breath on a ledge as you leap into the sea below. It can be a dangerous activity, but coasteering with qualified instructors and safety equipment (wetsuit, helmet and buoyancy aid) makes things a little more safe.

What’s SUP?

Love it or hate it, stand up paddleboarding and surfing is here to stay. And we love it. SUPping is an ancient form of surfing where you stand on a large and buoyant board using a paddle to propel and steer yourself along the surface or into waves. Those looking for a gentle thrill will find the high vantage point gets you a unique view of the coastline, while sports enthusiast rave about the need for strong core strength muscles. Take your pick or locations around the coast, including The River Gannel, Watergate Bay, St Ives, Sennen, Porthleven, The River Fal and beyond.

Get cruisy

We’re lucky to have some of the best beaches in the world in Cornwall, but take a trip along the quieter rivers, creeks and estuaries and you’ll discover a whole new side of Cornwall. Some would say the ‘real’ Cornwall. Real Cornwall based on the River Fal run a personal luxury cruise service from their 25 foot motor cruiser which can comfortably sit up to six passengers. This coast beats at a slower rhythm to the north, perfect for taking in with food and drink from local producers.

Explore the 10 best beaches to surf in Cornwall, where perfect waves and stunning coastal scenery promise an unforgettable surfing experience.

Jet propelled fun

If you prefer you fun with a motor attached and feel the need for speed then Cornwall Waverunner Safaris based at Lusty Glaze Beach is for you. You’ll blast around Newquay Bay and see around 3-4 miles of coastline from a completely new angle. Their banana boat rides are also really popular with the younger crowd.

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Getting Active in Cornwall | Classes & Activities

We are often asked about fitness classes and activities around Cornwall. Although you are on holiday and indulging in some much needed rest and relaxation there are plenty of ways you can get out and get active in Cornwall.

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Bootcamps

Motive8me at Watergate Bay
Every Wednesday morning from 7.30am – 8.30am at Watergate Bay.
Come rain or shine Motive8me bootcamp will be on the beach ready to start your morning properly. All abilities welcome!
£5 per session.
More information here or email [email protected]

Bootcamp TR7
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7.00am – 7.45am at Newquay Sports Centre.
£3.50 per session.
More information here or email [email protected]

AJ Fitness
Start and finish the week right with AJ Fitness bootcamp at Mawgan Porth.
Mondays and Fridays 7.00am – 8.00am
£4 per session, advance booking is advised due to limited spaces.

Spinning Class at Watergate Bay Hotel

Each Tuesday and Thursday at 8.00am throughout the summer, Watergate Bay Hotel run cardio cycle classes. Sessions are 40 minutes long, with an experienced cardio cycle instructor and are suitable for both beginners and the experienced.
£6 per session.
To book your place please call 01637 860543 option 3 or email [email protected]

Synergy Yoga

Come and absorb yourself in nature. Each Saturday from 7.30am – 8.30am, Synergy Yoga will host beginner yoga lessons on the grass at Pentire, opposite The Bay Hotel, overlooking Fistral Beach.
£5 per session.
You will need to bring a mat or large beach towel.

Tennis

Hire a court for the day at Heron Centre, Newquay. With both indoor and outdoor courts this activity is not weather dependant. Rackets and balls are also available to hire for the day.
Find out more here.

Horse Riding

What better way to explore Cornwall then by horse. Take a group ride through the countryside on either a trek or a hack. Children, beginners and experienced riders all welcome.
Find out more here.

Watersports

Make the most of being so close to the Atlantic Ocean and get in the water. Try a variety of different watersports incluiding surfing, kitesurfing, hand planing and SUP.

Surf schools:
Extreme Academy at Watergate Bay
King Surf School at Mawgan Porth

Want to stay in Newquay? Have a look at our luxury holiday properties in Newquay.

Browse our beach locations to find your favourite active spot, and keep an eye on our special offers page for discounted stays by the sea.

Explore the beauty of new traditions with our guide, inviting you to embrace fresh experiences and create lasting memories along the Cornish coast.