New! Free photography with all activities!
*(Subject to conditions)
New! Free photography with all activities!
*(Subject to conditions)
Newquay’s #1 Surf School – Surfing Lessons for All Ages & Abilities
Customer Satisfaction –
Established In 1996 – 25+ Years Experience
Award Winning – South West Tourism Award & Cornwall Tourism Award winners!
Newquay Activity Centre is Newquay’s longest running surf school with over 20 years of experience in making surf dreams come true. We are an award-winning team (winners of the Cornwall & South West Tourism Awards) dedicated to delivering fun, safe, and memorable surf lessons for all. Located in the heart of Newquay, just moments from Towan, Great Western and Fistral Beach, we offer you easy access to the best waves in Cornwall.
Whether you’re a family seeking an unforgettable day out, a solo traveler craving adventure, or a group of friends looking for a new thrill, you’ll be in safe hands with us. Our friendly instructors live and breathe surfing, and we pride ourselves on tailoring each lesson to your needs. Get ready to catch your first wave and grin from ear to ear – we’ll have you riding in no time!
We know there are plenty of surf schools out there – here’s what makes Newquay Activity Centre (NAC) stand out:
ISA certified & beach lifeguard qualified.
Boards, wetsuits, everything!
Surf at Great Western & Fistral beach
Lessons for ages 3 to 80+
Secure valuable storage and warm showers
Private group and 1:1 lessons available
Private group and 1:1 lessons available
Proudly sponsored by the world’s leading surf brand.
No two surfers are the same – that’s why we offer a range of lesson types to suit all ages and skill levels. Choose the surf lesson that’s perfect for you:
We think our surf lessons are awesome – but don’t just take our word for it! Here’s what some of our recent guests have to say:
At Newquay Activity Centre, we believe the best surf instructors are those who love what they do – and ours absolutely do. Our team of coaches is the heart and soul of our surf school, and they are here to make your lesson both safe and sensational:
Rooted in our expertise, our training centre certifies instructors in surfing, lifeguarding, coasteering and more, combining live teaching and internships; graduates secure roles with us, partner companies and even work internationally.
Still got questions? Understand what these outdoor activity qualifications mean for your safety and enjoyment.
When you meet our team, you’ll understand why our reviews are so glowing about the staff. We can’t wait to welcome you into the water. Rest assured, with our instructors guiding you, you’re guaranteed an awesome (and safe) surfing experience from start to finish.
We’ve answered some of the most common questions about our surf lessons below. Have a question not covered here? Just give us a shout – we’re happy to help!
Very little! We provide surfboards, wetsuits, and all necessary kit for your lesson. You should bring a swimsuit to wear under the wetsuit, a towel, and a sense of adventure. If it’s a sunny day, bring sunscreen. If it’s cooler, we have warm wetsuits, boots, gloves and hoods available, but you might want an extra layer for before/after the water. We also recommend a bottle of water and a snack for after your session – surfing is thirsty work!
Yes! Absolutely everything is included in the lesson price. You won’t have to rent a board or wetsuit separately. We use high-quality beginner-friendly surfboards (soft-tops) and well-fitted wetsuits from top brands, so you’ll be comfortable and safe. If you book a package like our Lesson + Hire, you even get to keep the gear for extra practice after the lesson at no extra cost. Just show up ready to surf, and we’ll handle the rest!
We surf rain or shine – in fact, some of the best waves come on cloudy days! For the most part, surf lessons run in all weather, because you’re going to get wet anyway. We monitor the surf forecast closely; if the sea is too rough or conditions are unsafe (for example, if there’s a storm or lightening), we will reschedule or cancel for safety. In the rare event we have to cancel, we’ll offer you a new date or a full refund. Your safety is our top priority. Otherwise, a bit of rain or cloud won’t stop the fun – just bring your enthusiasm and we’ll make the most of the ocean’s mood that day.
Yes! You don’t need to be an Olympic swimmer or have any surfing experience to enjoy our lessons. Our beginner lessons take place in waist-deep water where you can stand, and you’ll be wearing a wetsuit (which adds buoyancy) plus under close supervision. As for fitness, if you can handle a bit of light exercise like climbing a flight of stairs, you should be fine. Surfing is done at your own pace – you can rest on the board whenever you need. Our instructors will never push you beyond your comfort zone; their goal is to get you having fun on the waves. We’ve taught all shapes, sizes, and ages – so don’t worry, you’ve got this!
We welcome groms (kids) with open arms! For our group lessons, the minimum age is typically 8 years old (this ensures the group pace and ocean conditions are suitable). For children under 8, we recommend private lessons – we can instruct kids over 3 years old within a private lesson with a parent or guardian. There is no upper age limit – grandparents surf with us too! If your child is under 8 and you still want a “group” setting, consider arranging a family session. All our instructors are experienced with teaching youngsters; we provide child friendly sized wetsuits to keep kids warm and have smaller kid-sized boards for them. Surfing as a family can be an amazing experience – and yes, parents are welcome (but not required if the child is over 8) to join the lesson if they want!
Booking is easy. You can book online through our secure system (just hit any “Book Now” button on this page) – it only takes a few minutes. You can also book by phone on 01637 877722; our friendly team is available 7 days a week to assist. If you’re booking for a large group (schools, stags/hens, corporate team building, military, etc.), it’s best to call or email us so we can arrange the perfect session and group discounts. We accommodate large groups regularly and can provide multiple instructors to keep the coach-to-surfer ratio low. Last-minute booking? As long as there’s space, you can even walk into our centre on the day. But to secure your preferred time slot (especially in summer), we recommend booking in advance. Once booked, you’ll receive a confirmation with all details, including where to meet and what to bring. Then just count down the days until your surf adventure!
See what hundreds of surfers get up to each year!
Top of the range Equipment
To enjoy your time in the ocean and progress as much as possible during your lesson, it’s important to be kitted out with the right equipment. That’s where we come in…
Beginner Surfboards
To learn to surf, you must have the right equipment. This will make a big difference to your enjoyment and success when surfing in Newquay. A common mistake is trying to learn to surf on a board that’s not suitable for your level, height, weight or type of wave. Yes, the board might look cool under your arm, but it’s frustrating when you’re unable to ‘catch a wave’ or ‘pop up to your feet’. At Newquay Activity Centre we don’t just give you any old surfboard to ride; we choose one that is most suitable for you. So the first step is to determine what size board fits your height, size and surfing experience level.
For our beginner surf lessons we are committed to using Alder and Softech boards for our new surfers. Though more expensive to other beginner boards, they offer unrivalled stability and buoyancy. Super stable boards, though not the coolest in the quiver, are much easier to paddle, will get you into waves quicker, and are made of soft foam for safety. When you’re learning it’s all about wave count, and these foamies are the ideal boards to get you up and riding and progressing up the ranks. What’s more, at the end of each season we are able to re-skin the boards, and so we’re not sending old boards to landfill.
Improver Surfboards
If you’re looking to take a step up, we offer three stages of progression surfboards which you can experiment with. The best board is the one you’re having the most fun on!
Children’s Surfboards
Newquay Activity Centre is the only surf school in the area to offer an exclusive range of children’s surfboard and kids surf lessons. Please ask us for details.
Wetsuits
Our guests are provided with top of the range, well fitting and flexible wetsuits that are appropriate to the season. Being warm and comfortable in the water is super important as it enables you to fully concentrate on learning and having fun for the duration of your surf lesson.
Surfboard Hire Newquay
If you’d like to bolt on additional surfboard hire to your lesson then we are delighted to offer you a discounted rate. You can either stay in the water after your lesson or return to the centre for lunch before heading out to surf your socks off all afternoon. If you’d like to hire equipment after your lesson to surf at Fistral Beach, Towan or Great Western, then please select the surf lesson with bolt on Newquay surf hire option.
The Perfect location for Surfing Lessons in Newquay
Newquay Activity Centre is ideally situated to access some of Cornwall’s best surfing beaches. We run the majority of our lessons at Newquay’s extremely user friendly and safe Great Western Beach. The waves are consistent and ideal for learning, so we are privileged to experience 350+ days of surfing in Newquay each year. If we want to look for different conditions or surf at another stage in the tide then we are just a few minutes walk from the international surfing mecca that is Fistral beach.
Surf School Newquay
Newquay Activity Centre is purpose built and has toilets, heated changing rooms, lockers for valuables, hot showers and storage space for your personal items. We are just a few moments from the centre of town and its abundance of great coffee joints, eateries and surf shops. We’ll supply you with a discount card after your lesson which will give you some great discounts at local businesses around town.
Our glowing credentials
Newquay Activity Centre have been delivering surf lessons in Cornwall for over 20 years, and we’re proud to be the longest running provider of surfing lessons in Newquay. We’re proud of our number 1 ranking on trip advisor and we are two time winners of the Cornwall Tourism Awards and gold winners of the South West Tourism Awards.
We are proud to have been recognised and sponsored by Rip Curl; they are a leader in surfing equipment, apparel and wetsuits, and have recognised Newquay Activity Centre as a centre of excellence in the Cornwall surf school scene.
We also coach the Army and the Navy surf teams and are proud to be a recognised centre for Help For Heroes. This means we regularly organise military adventure training packages that meet their high standards. Their core values of teamwork, developing leadership and other personal qualities is necessary to withstand the rigours of operational service.
With our Newquay beach guides complete, it’s time to bring the coast home through our Newquay webcam. Catch every wave – surfer – sunrise and sunset at Towan Beach in real time. Ready for a front-row seat? Watch our live Newquay beach webcam.
Embarking on a surfing lesson with us is more than just a couple of hours at the beach – it’s a memory you’ll treasure and the start of a new passion! If you’re ready to feel the rush of catching your first wave or improving your skills with our awesome instructors, now’s the time to take the plunge.
Have questions or special requirements? Give us a call at 01637 877722 or drop by our centre – we’re here to help.
Pro tip: Book in advance for summer holidays – spots fill up fast when the sun is shining and the surf’s up! And don’t forget to ask about our multi-lesson packages if you’re keen to keep the momentum going after your first lesson.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Newquay’s waves. See you in the water!
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