This spectacular
Atlantic Coast is the true home of surfing, not only in Cornwall but also
in the British Isles. The sport and its supporting industry began in the heady
days of the sixties. In fact the first documented British surfing took place
at Treyarnon Bay in the very early 1960's.
Stuart Charles was
a lifeguard at Treyarnon Bay then and was part of the group who first rode
the waves on their wooden boards. He has fond memories of those groundbreaking
times. "Surfing was very different in those days, the boards were huge and
weighed a ton, it was a struggle simply getting them down to the water! There
was no such thing as leashes, you just had to be very careful that you didn't
lose your board when you surfed." Stuart, who was long boarding champion in
1967 and 1968 still surfs around the area today among many of the others of
that generation who are still in love with the sport.
At the northern tip
of North Cornwall, the traditional resort of Bude offers some excellent surfing
at the beaches of Summerleaze, Crooklets, and Widemouth Bay. Bude is where
the first Surf Life Saving Club in the country was established by an Australian
called Alan Kennedy. After a chance visit to the resort in 1952 he decided
to emulate his home country's beach patrols and help set up the Surf Life
Saving Association of Great Britain. Mini Fry has been part of the club for
eighteen years. Today he is a paid lifeguard on Summerleaze beach, and sees
it as an important way of life in Bude, "We have a huge number of members,
including one hundred 'nippers' (children), it is very popular among the people
of Bude. There's even an annual sponsored swim in the sea every Christmas
Day. We had over 120 people doing it last year!"
Bude also has a surfing
hall of fame. Famous competition surfers such as Mike Raven, one of the top
surfers in Britain comes from the town. The tradition has carried on with
9 year old Ruben Ash already starring in national competitions and 12 year
old Taz Shepard, the current Under 18 lady champion in bodyboarding. Bude
is also recognised on the national surfing circuit and last year held the
U.K's first night surfing competition. As darkness fell some of the best surfers
in the country were picked out in huge spotlights as they were riding the
autumn Atlantic waves to the shore.
Summerleaze
beach is just a short walk from the town and it attracts a huge number of
visitors. Unlike other resorts Bude is laid back about surfing, everyone is
welcome to have a go, and the relaxed atmosphere in the town adds to the general
feeling of you being part of a special surfing scene
Across North Cornwall
there's a vibrant surfing industry. Wetsuits, boards, surf fashion, sunglasses,
sunblock - you name it, it can be found. For visitors just dipping their toes
surf gear can be hired from any number of outlets. Nigel Moyle of Zuma Jay
Surfboards has been riding the wave of surfing's popularity for some time.
He puts the success of the industry down to its accessibility to people of
all ages and all walks of life. "The great thing about surfing is that it
crosses generations and is classless. In the water there is every type of
person, from professionals to school children, and they are equal, all with
the same ambition, to get that adrenaline rush that you only get with surfing.
There's also a huge camaraderie amongst the surfing set with expert information
such as surf checks, available free at shops like ours."
Down the coast from
Bude is Polzeath. Another popular surfing resort that attracts a wide range
of visitors. Kelly Griffiths who works in Ann's Cottage says that Polzeath
is particularly popular with visitors from the north, and they come specifically
to have a go at surfing. Polzeath is an ideal beach for surfing, appealing
to novices and the more advanced. If you're a beginner there is a surf school
based on the beach called Surf's Up, run by Jane and Peter Craske. Jane says
taking lessons is a very good way of getting a feel for the waves. "The sponge
boards are ideal for beginners as it makes it so much easier to have a go
at surfing and they're good fun too. You notice in the water there are twice
as many people on sponge boards as there are swimming." Once again the surf
industry in Polzeath, is growing with the sport. The shops hire out all sorts
of surfing equipment and the surf school offers different sorts of tuition,
from complete beginner courses to advanced and refresher courses.
As with all North
Cornwall surfing beaches Polzeath has a large surfing community, and it is
a place where everyone knows everyone else. The social side of surfing at
Polzeath is very friendly and mellow, and on summer's evenings the beach buzzes
with people having barbecues and watching the sun going down over the sea.
On the other side
of the Camel Estuary lie the beaches of Harlyn Bay, Boobies Bay, Constantine
Bay and Treyarnon Bay. All of these are exciting surfing beaches, set against
dramatic cliff and headland scenery. Their unspoilt almost isolated nature
adds to their charm and each offers a different type of surfing. If you're
looking for fairly easy waves Harlyn is ideal, or if you're after a challenge
Constantine is the best beach, but be warned it has strong rip currents and
is only recommended for advanced surfers.
Again
there is an active surfing community with a local surf club The Bull Rock
Boardriders. With over 70 members, the club has grown rapidly in the three
years since it was established. Its aims are to promote the sport of surfing,
be aware of environmental issues affecting the area and organise socials (a
very popular function of the club!) Club Chairman Dan Hutton says they cherish
the surf and the members want to make sure everyone benefits from it. "Surfing,
as we all know is a very popular sport, but around this area there really
isn't many of the young children surfing, our aim is to get more of them in
the water. One way is to have a Grommet contest. This is a fun event attracting
many of the up and coming under 18's wanting to have a go at surfing against
each other and get a feel of what competition surfing is like. We're hoping
to make it a regular event."
For surfers North
Cornwall has a lot to offer. The beaches are wonderful for surfing, with a
comprehensive industry to match. In the evenings finding a place to socialise
is effortless with friendly locals and some great pubs. Not only is there
a large number of surfing beaches, many of them won the prestigious Seaside
Award given annually by the Tidy Britain Group. The beaches that have been
given the award include Sandy Mouth, Widemouth Bay, Polzeath, Harlyn Bay,
Constantine Bay, Treyarnon Bay and Mawgan Porth. If you're feeling adventurous
you can find secret spots up and down the coast where you can have the waves
completely to yourself. If you're not sure about equipment or where the best
waves are there is always a friendly face who can help you out. You can learn
to surf at one of the many schools in the area and hire or buy equipment at
one of the surf shops. There are many different places to stay when you are
on your travels from stunning hotels to caravan and camping sites, depending
on your desires and on your pocket. Wherever you decide to go remember to
respect other people in the water around you and most importantly enjoy yourself.
The North Cornwall Beach Guide