Expert guides take you to the best beaches
Guaranteed improvements over two days for all abilities
Social weekend in the UK’s surf capital
Excellent onsite changing facilities and top class kit
Whether you’re an aspiring pro or completely new to the sport our Newquay weekenders offer tiered tuition and guidance to the best spots for each session. Learn that move that you’ve always wanted to nail!
Quick Facts
Water Temperature: 10°C – 18°C
Local Currency: Pound Sterling
Language: English
Local Beer: Doombar
7 beaches in one town + surfari’s to a huge range of bodyboarding spots
Surf 2ft – 6ft
75% return of booking on these weekends – we get results.
Suitable for riders of all abilities. Tutorial sessions to cover all needs. Surf forecasting to air reverses.
Bespoke one-on-one coaching available
Newquay-based accommodation, Free airport or railway station pick up and drop offs
Video and photographic analysis to see your riding improve fast
Top of the range NMD, VS, Core, Pride boards in all sizes, cores and tail variations
Discounts at The Bodyboard-Depot and Rip Curl concept store 15% off for all attendees.
Upcoming Weekends
Trip Information
Our Aim
The Newquay Bodyboard Weekenders are a guaranteed way to take your bodyboarding from zero to hero through two days of tuition. Living in Newquay for 40 years + and devoting every waking minute to scoring the best waves has given Rob and his team a unique knowledge of the 7 swell filled sandy bays. Their promise is to maximise the bodyboarding fun throughout the weekend by making sure that you are in the right place for the best waves for your ability. This weekend is open to all. Please don’t feel that you are too good or too inexperienced for these weekends they are completely inclusive. We use pre trip enrolment forms to create separate ability groups which will see you developing your skills with like minded riders of a similar ability level. The weekends are very social, we get results but it certainly isn’t a boot camp.
Waves
Cornwall’s biggest seaside resort is the birthplace of the British surf scene and the centre of the UK’s multi-million-pound surf industry. It’s a great place to be based, with access to dozens of quality beach breaks. 7 beaches in one town, all working on different tides, wind and swell directions. If you know it well you can always find a fun rideable wave.
‘Coast of Dreams’ reads the welcome signs as you drive into Britain’s best known surf city, and for many people that’s what it is. As soon as you arrive the place reeks of surfing and bodyboarding: the road signs are covered in surf stickers, you’ll see someone skateboarding down the road within five minutes, and the town is full of pseudo-surfer dudes with long hair, tatts and a tan. But look off the well worn track and there are some incredibly beautiful beaches and coves and it is these that we love to visit.
The town, and Cornwall in general, is home to some of the most awesome scenery in Britain, with dramatic cliffs dropping into the blue waters of the Atlantic. The view across Newquay Bay on a clear evening, with the sun setting behind Towan Head, is comparable to anything you’ll see on your travels abroad.
Towan Beach
Towan is unique in its appeal for bodyboarders as it has something for all abilities. Sitting in the shadow of Towan Head, the beach is protected from big swells and benefits from shelter to strong winds, which can spoil the shape of the Atlantic swells. If you’re learning to bodyboard this is a huge bonus as the waves are more manageable, making the process of catching them easier.
For bodyboarders of more experience there’s the left hand breaking wave known as ‘Kiddies Corner’. Catch it at low tide at the southern end of the beach where it breaks off the rocks close to Newquay harbour’s north quay. As the tide pushes in towards mid tide there is a wave called ‘Bothwicks’ after the rocks of the same name in front of the island. This is popular with locals and offers a great option during medium sized three-to-four foot swells. Also look out for the unique ‘Habour Left’ wave which can be found on the other side of the beach at mid tide when the incoming swells ride up the side of the south quay harbour wall. At high tide the waves refract off the island and even bounce off the promenade wall. These refracting and wedging waves are a highlight of any bodyboarding session at Towan.
Fistral
The jewel in the crown of Newquay surf breaks and home to the UK’s biggest surfing competition – the Boardmasters. If there is any swell out there, Fistral will be serving up a wave. With the many different options it offers something for riders of all abilities. From the dredging tubes of low tide at north Fistral. To the fun high tide wedges of south Fistral. A little local knowledge goes a long way to making sure you get the best waves.
Tolcarne
Home to the the UK’s best bodyboarding wave. Tolcarne Wedge is the name given to the wave that is created in the south corner of the beach when the incoming waves refract of the headland and create ‘corner’ waves or wedges as experienced bodyboarders call them. The collision of the incoming wave and the refraction offers twice the power and speed of a normal wave. When you get a good one you will long remember it and always want to go back for more.
Other spots include; Great Western, Crantock, Perranporth, Watergate and numerous others that we don’t like to name. But offer uncrowded perfection on their day. You just need to know where and when to look!
Accommodation
Newquay offers a wide range of accommodation. Within walking distance from our centre at Towan beach are the Travel Lodge, Hotel Victoria, Lazy Waves and Kiribilli guest house. There are some great Air BnB options including Sea View house overlooking Towan and Sunset Views at Pentire. For those that would like to camp or park their motorhome or van we can recommend Trethiggey Holiday Park Camping. There are many, many options on Booking.com Our postcode is TR7 1DU if you would like to find some where nearby.
Climate
Cornwall’s air and sea climate is the warmest in the UK. Thanks to both the jet stream in the atmosphere and the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean, Cornwall is blessed with a comparatively mild climate and temperate seas, all year round.
With a long, intricate and varied coastline developing its own micro-climates from one beach to the next, you’re the most likely in the UK to be soaking up the rays as much as the waves, whatever the season.
Food
We ask you to prepare a packed lunch for both days so that we can enjoy our surfari along the coast. We’d recommend fruit, nuts and other fibre filled snacks to keep you energised for your water sessions. We offer free tea and coffee from our base at Towan beach and all eat our lunch while watching the video review sessions. We visit our favourite beach bar or local restaurant on Saturday evening and enjoy fantastic local food. Budget £12 for the meal.
Coaching
Our coaching team offers daily tuition, tailored to your ability with instructors who are in-house qualified and fully insured. Experienced lifeguards, some have 30 years of surfing experience and 20 years of worldwide travel experience, including multiple-times British National Champion and Team Coach Rob Barber.
All weekends are planned for Rob to lead the instruction and it is only on rare occasions that he won’t be there all weekend.
Foundation level instruction
You’ll never be thrown straight into the deep end. We’ve got your back whatever your ability, and that’s a promise. Likewise, intermediate and advanced-level coaching is also tailored towards the individual.
Don’t stress if you’re a beginner – on this camp there’s something for everyone, and we all have to start somewhere. In fact, you’ll be amazed how quickly you master paddling out to catch good-quality waves, and we’re committed to patiently helping you progress.
Improver Instruction
To aid with this, we send out a pre-event form to measure your ability before you arrive. If you’ve not attended a coaching weekend or holiday before, don’t worry – we can have a surf assessment, get to grips with your riding and help plot you a path of improvements.
Advanced Instruction
Our coaching cover all levels of riding, with separate ability groups and instructors to suit your standard, whether you’re a novice or a pro. Some of the riders that have attended our weekends have wanted to learn the most gymnastic aerial moves. The use of video and photo analysis plus the invaluable in-water tips after each ride can see you improve your style and nail those specfic moves that you’ve always wanted to land. We help everyone achieve their goals.
We want to maximise your time in the water on this weekend, which is why we offer three in-water sessions over the two days.
The Saturday sessions are each two hours long, and can be catered to cover any aspects of bodyboarding you wish to focus on. The Sunday session will be longer, giving you a chance to put into practice the developments you’ve made, and build on things you’ve learned.
Two or more of your in-water sessions will be photographed and filmed, and these will be covered in the post-surf video analysis. This will include demonstrations and move-by-move break downs to help you progress faster. We will also use our instructional clips to break down moves for you.
As well as coaching, we’re also keen to develop your learning and understanding of the sport in general. This is why we offer a separate Q&A session, answering all things bodyboarding: equipment, travel, safety, surf prediction, understanding pressure charts and bodyboarding fitness. Learning is tailored to each ability group, and no question is too big or small.
Photography and video analysis will be available throughout all sessions to help improve your riding.
Travel
If you’re coming by car, the weekend is based at Towan beach Newquay – we will give you details of where you should park (often away from the centre) on your pre weekend arrival email. If you are using our kit we ask you to arrive on Friday before 4pm so that we can be sure to supply you with the best equipment for your needs.
If you’re coming by train it’s even easier – send us your train’s arrival time at Newquay and we’ll come and collect you. Likewise, if you’re flying into Newquay airport, send us your flight number and scheduled arrival time, and we’ll come and collect you. Good air links from Gatwick, Heathrow, Belfast, Manchester, Liverpool, Dublin, Glasgow, Dusseldorf and Stuttgart (full list here; https://www.cornwallairportnewquay.com/flying-to-cornwall)
Price
Newquay Coaching Weekend £139
Photo and video packages
Photographs will be taken thought the camp to help you to improve your riding. You can buy the shots at the end of the weekend for £20 and £10 for the video.
Equipment hire:
We have pro standard equipment available to hire for the weekend, just let us know at time of booking what you need and your sizes.
Pro standard Bodyboard Hire £8 per day
Swim fin hire £8 per day
Wetsuit hire £8 per day
Food
We visit our favourite restaurant on Saturday evening and enjoy fantastic local produce. Budget £12 for the meal. This is optional.
Area
Cornwall – also known as ‘Kernow’ in its mother tongue – is a wild, rugged county, located in the far south-western tip of England.
Apart from its world-class beaches, excellent variety of waves and high swell consistency, it boasts a unique culture, incredibly clean air, and bright light – it’s no wonder poets, authors and artists have been coming here for centuries!
Head back in land from Newquay’s beautiful beaches, bays and coves and you’ll find wilderness moorland, granite-topped hills, ancient stone structures and ubiquitous tin-mine pump houses, unmistakable silhouettes of its famous mining history.
Today, Cornwall’s main industry is tourism, and there is a million and one things to do only a short distance from our base. Newquay is booming with independent shops with a great cafe culture, you are never far away from a flat white.
Why not turn your weekend into a week, and experience the thrill of coasteering, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding at our sister company, the Newquay Activity Centre? As a bodyboard weekender you’ll be entitled to discounted rates on any of the activities, which are guaranteed to keep you smiling.
Kit List
Pro-standard bodyboard hire – £8 per day
Swim fin hire – £8 per day
Wetsuit hire – £8 per day
We offer an excellent selection of kit hire for the weekend, which can be ordered in advance and that we’ll bring along, so all you need to think about is the surf, sea and sun! If you have your own kit, please bring it along.
Feel free to call us on 01637 879571 and we can chat with you about what you’d need to hire so it’s ready and waiting for you when you arrive. We ask you to arrive on the Friday at our centre, before 4pm to pick up your hire kit.
Bodyboard
Being Britain and not the tropics, we’d recommend a board with a bit of flex! Therefore aim to bring a board with either a stringered PE or a low-density PP core.
To help with this, we can supply hired boards which are perfect for use in British temperatures and wave types.
If you need to hire one for the weekend, or are interested in trying one different to your own, get in touch and we can get you sorted with the right-sized board so you can get the most out of the weekend.
Wetsuit
Although Cornish waters are the mildest in the country, we’d still recommend bringing along a decent wetsuit.
A winter 5/3mm is perfect for the cooler times of year, or a sealed-seam 3/2mm is ideal for sunny Kernow’s summer and autumn seasons.
Fins
It’s essential to use a pair of comfortable, powerful, bodyboarding swim fins to get the most from the awesome waves on the trip.
Leash
It’s a simple insurance policy on any trip, so don’t forget a leash – it’ll save you a whole load of unnecessary swimming.
Bodyboard travel bag
A decent board bag will keep your kit safely protected throughout your journey, especially when you consider the brutality of some baggage handlers. They range from £20 to more than £100 – the more you pay, the better protection you get. The best on the market is the Creatures wheelie bag, it’s heat-reflective, padded and you can wheel it around, saving your arms and shoulders for paddling.
Board sock
Board socks perform a dual purpose, protecting your board from the sun, and drying you off as it’s a handy towel. The humble board sock is a great all-rounder.
Heel shields
If you don’t wear wetsuit socks and want to prevent rub around your heels, it’s worth considering a set of heel shields. They make fins comfortable, stop chafe and have different thickness levels to suit the snugness of your fin.
Fin tethers
Don’t let a lost fin ruin the rest of your trip. Bag a set of tethers and know you’ll pop up from every duckdive and wipeout with both fins still attached.
Sun protection
There are a range of sun creams geared specifically for bodyboarding. We can attest they actually stay on in the water, and we’ve tested them in some searing conditions.
While we can’t guarantee bright blue skies, there’s nothing worse than having to sit out on an epic session because your suncream washed off yesterday and today you’re painfully crispy.
Clothing
Please bring warm clothing suitable for all weathers. Layers are the best option to make sure you are covered for all weather conditions.
Reuseable Water Bottle
Please bring a reuseable water bottle as we won’t always have time to get to the shops before our sessions.
What’s Included
- Three separate in-water sessions, Saturday sessions are two hours long covering all aspects of bodyboarding you wish to focus upon. The Sunday session will be longer.
- Two of your in-water sessions will be filmed and these will be analysed. This will include demonstrations and move-by-move break downs to help you conquer every aspect of the sport.
- Q and A sessions about bodyboarding equipment, travel, safety, surf prediction and bodyboarding fitness.
- Photographs will be taken to help you to improve your riding. You can buy the shots at the end of the weekend for £20 and £10 for the video.
- Discount card for Bodyboard-Depot, Rip Curl concept store and local bar and restaurants.
- Goodies from sponsors and the chance to be presented with a new board at certain events.
- Free Tea and coffee from our centre onsite
- Airport or Railway station pick up and drop off
Dates
If you need to hire kit, please arrive before 4pm on Friday.
If you don’t, please arrive on Saturday morning. All dates, times, location and check-in info will be supplied to you by email on the Wednesday before the weekend begins.
The weekend finishes after lunch on Sunday.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about our Newquay Coaching Weekends.
Do I need a visa?
At present, there is no visa is required to enter the UK for European citizens. However, this can vary for non-European visitors, so you should seek advice about any possible visa requirements from your travel agent in advance.
What currency should I take and how much will I spend?
The currency in the UK is the British Pound, which you can pick up from UK travel agencies, banks or post offices.
If you are an international traveller, please get your money changed before the trip or bring a card to take money out from the ATM. Getting this done ahead of time will help to maximise your surf time and minimise the stress of looking for a place to exchange your currency on the weekend.
In addition to food costs (detailed below), we recommend bringing around £8 in change for any beach car parks which we may use on the surfari.
What will we do about food?
For Saturday morning we suggest that you organise your own breakfast, and to prepare a packed lunch to bring along. This is so we can stay mobile on the surfari – we can’t guarantee we’ll be near a spot with a cafe.
On Saturday night we will have a group meal, usually at the local beach bar just 10 minutes from our centre, so aim to budget around £12 for that. We will take orders on Saturday morning during our welcome meeting.
Please bring a packed lunch for Sunday lunch time.
How will we travel around?
After meeting at the centre on Saturday morning, we’ll split each of the groups in to ability levels.
Within these groups, we then either bodyboard at the beaches that are within walking distance or we ask those who have vehicles to car share with others and follow our instructors to the chosen beaches. The journey time is rarely longer than 10 minutes.
Please have your vehicle fuelled up if you are happy to car share. We try to use the minimum number of vehicles possible to minimise our environmental impact and reduce our footprint in coastal car parks, and we split any car parking/travel costs between the passengers in each vehicle.
Can I make contact from abroad?
If you are based outside of the UK and would like to chat through the trip details, we can be contacted through WhatsApp, Facetime or Skype, just let us know by email and we can arrange this with you.
How do I pay?
Payments are all made via our online invoicing system called Simple Invoices. Once you have confirmed you wish to join a trip we will send you an online invoice via email. Within this email there will be a link where that will take you to our secure payment system where you will need to enter your credit or debit card details to make the payment. In some circumstances we can facilitate a payment plan, just let us know if you wish to discuss this. Full payment must be made 12 weeks prior to the holiday start date.
What happens if I want to cancel my booking?
If you can no longer join the trip please let us know as soon as possible via email, your cancellation will be effective from the date which it is received by Bodyboard-Holidays. Cancellation charges are payable as follows:
Over 12 weeks – deposit only (one third of the total trip price)
36 days to 12 weeks – 50% of total cost
21-35 days – 75% of total cost
Under 20 days – 100% of total cost
However if your cancellation is within the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to make a claim. Further information here. https://bodyboard-holidays.com/terms-conditions/
Sponsored by Bodyboard-Depot
Free goodies for all participants.
There is a really heightened sense of achievement felt after a winter bodyboarding weekend than a summer one. Bodyboarding during the cold season is something that we absolutely love and want to share with you. We want to let you in to a secret though. With the right kit, it’s not actually cold at all. Wetsuit developments over the last 5 years mean that not only are we kept toasty warm, but they are flexible and comfortable. We’ve got a full range of winter wetsuits, hoods and neoprene wear to maximise your water time and comfort.
Add to that fact that you will be getting changed in heated changing rooms and the comfort levels are increased further. Did we mention that there will be complimentary tea, coffee and hot chocolate as well?
Bodyboarding throughout the winter months is an incredible experience. Not only are the waves more consistently perfect but the beaches are often completely empty.
Our February weekend sets you up for an awesome year of bodyboarding. Get the skills improved now and feel the benefit through the remainder of winter, spring, summer and autumn!
Sponsored by Section Bodyboarding
Free T-Shirt for all participants.
As we come out of the other side of winter the swells are still pulsing but the mercury is finally rising a little. The clocks have changed; the days are longer, so let’s make the most of them.
Set yourself up for spring with two days of tuition, a great time to to gear up for a summer in the water. Develop your current skills or try it for the first time. We can guarantee improvements for even the most technically developed rider. If you’re new to the sport you can expect to be able to paddle out and catch unbroken waves after two days of instruction. This could realistically take you 6 months of regular bodyboarding to achieve.
Our April bodyboard coaching weekend is going to be the ultimate bodyboarding immersion!
We’ve teamed up with the Cornwall Bodyboard Series and Section Bodyboarding to offer the following;
- 3 in-water bodyboard coaching sessions
- A visit to the Cornwall Bodyboard Series event at Portreath to watch the best of UK’s bodyboarding with explanation of the heats from Rob Barber and the chance to meet some of the competitors.
- Photos and videos of you bodyboarding that will be analysed after each session for fast improvements.
- Guidance to the best beaches between Newquay and Portreath to score the most suitable waves for your skill level on the coast that day.
- Free t-shirt from Section Bodyboarding
We will also enjoy a social evening on Saturday with an optional meal with the bodyboarding crew.
Price £139
Limited availability, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Sponsored by NMD Bodyboards
Free goodies for all participants and NMD bodyboard for most improved rider of the weekend.
The world’s biggest bodyboarding brand is supporting us to get you shredding this summer. The water is warm and all of the summer spots are cranking. Now is the time for those long sunny days in the water. So why not tune up current skills to enable you to get more waves and maximise each ride. Or if you want to try something new for the summer, there is no better time.
With the long days we have the option to score dawn and sunset sessions which can often offer the best conditions. Summer suits and sunscreen are the order of the day for this weekend.
Sponsored by Science Bodyboards
Free goodies for all participants and a Science bodyboard for the most improved rider of the weekend.
We’re stoked to be recognised by 9 time world champion Mike Stewart’s bodyboarding brand – Science.
Not only that, their top UK rider’ll join us, 5 time British Champion Damian Prisk. He’ll supply top notch guest coaching and analysis.
As summer draws to a close and the autumn low-pressure systems start tracking north we can expect pulses of groundswell to be arriving on the north coast of Cornwall. It’s prime season in the UK for fun, consistent waves. Expect the warmest water temperatures of the year and low crowds as the schools and universities have gone back. A unique chance to ride with the UK’s best ever bodyboarder. Coaching for all abilities.
After an epic summer and an awesome autumn in the water, our October weekend will give you the chance to indulge in a 48-hour bodyboarding immersion. The autumn swells will deliver the chance to take your riding to the next level under the watchful eye of our instructor team. Riders new and old welcome.
The last weekend before we traditionally change to our winter suits, expect comfortable water temperatures, quiet beaches and fun conditions.
Sponsored by Bodyboard-Depot
Free goodies for all participants.
The November coaching weekend is the best way to finish your bodyboarding year on a high note. Bodyboarding in the winter months delivers that awesome buzz from battling the elements and winning. We have the kit to keep you toasty warm and the instruction to see you take your riding up a notch or two.
Within a group of like-minded wave riders you’ll improve your performance in a relaxed yet professional environment. Every bodyboarder is taught as an individual so you aren’t pushed along too quickly or held back by others. Huge improvements guaranteed.
How to book
Once you have read all the info and made your selection. Book your holiday in 3 easy steps
Enquire
Fill in the enquiry form below
Confirmation
We’ll confirm availability and explain payment plan options.
Completion
Pay your deposit, book your flights and complete the enrolment form. You’re on the trip!
Tripadvisor
“Such an epic fun weekend on the bodyboarding coaching weekend with Rob Barber and his awesome team (Luke, Gareth, Chris, Jamie, Jack, and Hannah). Fun waves to be had even though the forecast was looking small the swell definitely picked up or the forecast was wrong so proves you should always turn up and get in! I was learning rolls and spins 70% there!”
Lizzie
“Have just completed the coaching weekend in Newquay with my 13 year old daughter. I am totally shocked at the level of improvement she made over a single weekend…. she has gone from playing in white water to competently getting out back and trimming on open faced waves. We both can’t wait for the next coaching weekend!“
Mick P