Safety first: The surf can be dangerous so make sure you surf at a beach patrolled by lifeguards. Check all the signs on the beach, avoid rip currents and know the safe place to surf, if you are unsure ask the lifeguard. Wear a warm wetsuit and plenty of sunscreen that way you can spend more time out in the water hunting down that perfect wave. If you are a total beginner, head out to waist-depth and start with broken waves (whitewash) which are relatively safe (as you’re not out of your depth) and easy to catch.

Get some length: Start on a long board! The longer a board is the more stable it is, more stability means more time standing up. Start on a long board (9 foot is good) then gradually work your way down to smaller boards. Make sure you have the basics mastered until you make things harder on yourself by trying to ride a smaller board.

Paddle properly: Paddling is the most important skill in surfing. If you can’t paddle your surfboard well you won’t be able to catch waves and you’ll get tired quickly. Your ‘paddling muscles’ (shoulders, arms and back) take time to get strong just like all the other muscles in your body. So whilst you are still learning to surf, you should make a habit of doing a paddle warm up every time you get in the water and don’t be shy to paddle up and down the beach when it’s flat. With regards to technique, try to paddle so that your hands reach far out in front of you and stay close to the rails of your board, digging down deep into the water with each stroke. In surfing, it’s not about how fast you paddle but how much energy you get out of each stroke.

Arch your back: When surfing, form is key. Both when you are paddling and catching waves, arching your back will make sure that your weight is properly distributed on your board. It will help you avoid tiring but common occurrences when you are trying to learn to surf, such as the “nose dive.” By keeping your head up you’ll also be able to spot potential waves more easily. One of the most common things you’ll hear from our instructors at Errant Surf School in Newquay is “arch your back!”

DON’T hold on! While you learn to surf, your impulse will be to grab the rails of your surfboard when you “pop up” to get to your feet… but don’t do it! By grabbing your rails you throw off the balance of your surfboard instead of allowing it to plane evenly over the surface of the water. When you are about to pop up, place your hands on top of the deck of the board next to your shoulders. Remember this tip along with the previous and you’ll find yourself catching, and making, a lot more waves!

Go Knee-Less: Everyone is guilty of this at first; standing up on your board using your knees. By using your knees when you pop up you make yourself more off balance and also throw off the balance of your surfboard. This common mistake also adds a clumsy step right in the middle of the most crucial part of your take off. This step takes practice, but if you keep trying to go straight to your feet without using your knees it will quickly become a habit and take your surfing to the next level. If you have to use your knee at first (we all did) that’s O.K., but don’t make it a habit! This is actually one of the easiest parts of surfing to practice because you can do it on dry land. Just draw yourself a surfboard in the sand and give it a go. Use your arms to push your upper-body off the ground (and arch your back), and in one fluid motion try to hop to your feet just like you are on a board. If you get this nailed, it will open up a whole new realm of surfing and you’ll be able to take off on faster and bigger waves.

Go surfing! People often ask the best exercise they can do to get fit for surfing. Well the answer is surfing! The best way to improve your surfing is spending as much time in the surf as you can. Be warned though surfing is very addictive…

Go pro: Learn from a professional. Many people learn with a friend who is usually more interested in catching a few sneaky waves themselves. We teach people to surf in Newquay everyday. You learn in small groups, using the best equipment including safe, long boards and we have a wide range of wetsuits. We pride ourselves on service and our instructors stay in the water with you giving you plenty of hands on assistance. After a 2 hour surf lesson most people are standing up and surfing into the beach! So what are you waiting for? Book some lessons and let us help you catch your first waves…

Good luck!

For all of you that want to learn to surf in Newquay this Summer, check out this awesome Newquay Surf Break that we’re running with Living Social.

Basically if you roll up in mid-season: from April 25 to June 27, or September 1 to October 26, you can enjoy two nights at the Trebarwith Hotel for two people in a double or twin room for £119 (up to a £247.33 value).

We’re based at Great Western Beach—with our own private access—just a minute’s walk from Newquay central and you’ll get an airy and spacious room appointed with free Wi-Fi and parking.

The hotel also has an indoor swimming pool, sauna and spa bath, games centre with snooker and air hockey, and even a luxury 45-seater retro movie cinema. Both breakfast and £7 towards lunch each per day are included the learn to surf in Newquay deal, so you can start the day with the likes of a cooked breakfast or cereals and fresh fruit, and lunch on a panini or a toasted sandwich—all the while enjoying the glorious sea-scape panorama of the terrace.

Buy your voucher here.

Luxury Surfing Holiday Breaks at the Atlantic Hotel

If you’re looking for a great value, surfing-break in Newquay, then look no further than Atlantic Hotel. Book one of their Sea View or Balcony Suites and you will receive a huge 15% discount off your bill in conjunction with any 20% discounted surf lesson here at Errant Surf School.

Sea View and Balcony Suites offer luxury accommodation with contemporary touches, designed with comfort as a priority. So what are you waiting for? Take advantage of this sensational offer NOW!

Contact the Atlantic Hotel today on 01637 872244 to book your room and surfing package.

Choose your Errant Surf School Package – 20% Off

1 lesson including: Half day surf lesson (10am – 12.30pm), All surfing equipment, Insurance, Taxi from Atlantic Hotel to Errant Surf School = £28

1 full day of surfing including: Full day surf lesson (10am – 4.30pm), All surfing equipment, Insurance, Taxi from The Hotel to Errant Surf School = £36

Weekend/ two days Surf School including: Two full days of surf school, All surfing equipment, Insurance, Taxi from Atlantic Hotel to Errant Surf School each morning = £68

Week Surf School including: Five days of surf coaching, All surfing equipment, Insurance, Taxi from Atlantic Hotel to Errant Surf School every morning = £155

Don’t take the micky or he “will smash you”! Ha ha ha…

Firstly we are un-biased, as we not only run a surf school in Newquay, but do amazing surfing holidays all over the world! However, Newquay is an amazing place to holiday and here’s why we think why:

1. More holiday time!

I love traveling but if you’re just after a short break, spending a day or two just getting to your destination and back again isn’t worth it. Newquay has good rail links, cheap coach deals and of course there’s the M5/ A30 to cruise all the way here on (just leave really late/ early!)

2. Cornwall is amazing

There is so much to do and see as well as learning to surf! So why not make this the year that you actually do it? We can’t believe how many people have been to Thailand but haven’t been to St Michael’s Mount or other beautiful places in Cornwall. We go so far away to see lakes, mountains and beaches, when we have it all here. Dramatic coastline, golden sand, bright blue sea, picturesque harbours and towns, the range of scenery from the Moors, the rivers on the South coast, the National Trust properties, THE FOOD, the ales – we have it all! We even love it when it is wet, stormy and cold – when the sea is crashing hard against the cliffs (like today as I write this blog post). Get a map out and explore!

3. Accommodation choices

Being a seasonal place there are loads of options. In England we like to experiment with our accommodation from Teepees to tents, camping Pods to Canal boats, static holiday homes to (converted!) stables! Check out a few here.

4. The weather

Yes, our weather can be hideous. There’s no question that sunshine makes Cornwall even more beautiful and perfect. So use the best time we’ve got. Now! – April – October to explore our truly wonderful countryside and leave the stress of traveling abroad until winter!

5. Money

£££ You know what your spending, you know what’s a good deal and despite petrol prices, getting a few of you in a car is a damn site cheaper than getting a few of you on a plane!

What’s more, if you book your surf lesson at i-candy you’ll get 10% off your surf lesson

Our team are Newquay born and bred and our local connections mean that we can help you to arrange as much or as little of your weekend as you want, so please give us a shout if you need accommodation, nightclub packages, pole dancing lessons, a meal at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant or even a proper local pub lunch. We will do all the organising for you at no extra cost!

Surfing

• Our instructors have named their job as simply ‘the too much fun club’ as they love their jobs so much and we guarantee that you’ll have an awesome experience…
We have safety rules to adhere to of course but the lesson can be as formal or informal as you like.
• We offer an accommodation booking service, just let us know the type of accommodation that you’re after and we will use our local knowledge to hook up the best place at the right price.
• We have a bar!
• We can arrange loads of other activities – including mountain biking and cocktail mixing…
• We can arrange personalised clothing if you need team hen night t-shirts etc (ask when booking)
• We can arrange novelty transport within the area: Tuk Tuk Taxi or Limo (ask when booking)
• We can arrange a reduced admission for various nightclubs
• You can book with a 15% deposit and pay the rest on arrival so that the organiser doesn’t have to fork out for everything!

You can also pick your instructor for the session. Choose from these hunks…

The Cost

Groups of 5-10 surfers – £30 per person with the Hen surfing for free!

Please contact us to start making arrangements. Call 01637 851403 / 07581397038 or e-mail us. We are open all year round.

We offer private family surfing lessons for just £109 per family of 4!

During the two hour beach and ocean lesson, the whole family will learn the fundamentals of surfing, including: ocean awareness and beach safety, how to catch your first waves and riding the white water breakers from waist depth to the beach.

Then you will learn how to stand up and your i instructor will offer supervision and guidance throughout the whole lesson, so that you learn quickly and safely in your own time and with all the benefit of your own dedicated instructor (up to 4 family members, further family members can join the group for £30 per person).

Lessons can be taken on any day at any time, so you can squeeze in a pre-breakfast ‘dawnie’ or evening sunset surf, whatever works for you.

Course Cost: £109 and we won’t be beaten on price or service! ☺

Here’s what Karen said on Tripadvisor after her recent family trip to Errant Surf School:

“Me and my family, two adults & two children, learnt to surf with Errant Surf School and had a fantastic time. It is going to become an annual trip now!
Next year we are hoping to surf with Errant in Morocco.

Thank you Sam the kids totally enjoyed themselves and so did my husband and I. We shall be back !! ”