10 S U R F ING


WHERE It might be worth setting aside


your daydreams of barrelling South Pacific waves and laid-back Indonesian surf camps when starting out. A first-time surfer needs a broad beach, a lively but not too mountainous summer sea and a well-developed infrastructure of surf schools and lifeguards. The north coast of Cornwall has all these things in spades — at Watergate Bay, you can follow your lessons with low-tide walks beneath towering sea cliffs. WHEN June, early July and September are best. WHAT Surfing’s simplicity is part of its appeal. All you need for a summer lesson is a 3mm wetsuit and a soſt, fat ‘foamie’ surfoard, both of which will be provided by any decent surf school. You’ll learn in waist-deep water, catching rides on the bubbly surge of already broken waves. If you’re light on your feet and a have a good sense of balance, you could find getting upright easy enough, while most first-timers will take at least a few days to master the skill. WHO Water babies of almost every age will enjoy a couple of half-day lessons — although children under the age of 10 will find the heavy boards a handful in rougher conditions. HOW Two-hour group lessons on Watergate Bay available from £45 per person. Nearby accommodation ranges from a £26 a-night pitch for a tent at the Watergate Bay Touring Park to the sporty and smart Watergate Bay Hotel, B&B doubles from £250 a night. watergatebaytouringpark.co.uk watergatebay.co.uk


16 nationalgeographic.com/travel


A youngster catching their first wave at Watergate Bay, Cornwall, England ABOVE: Watergate Bay in Cornwall, England


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