Learn to surf in Cornwall
Pick England to learn to surf and you’ll find schools and camps in Cornwall are generally good, but Newquay is still one of the best places in the area for beginners. Try the Newquay Activity Centre, close to Fistral beach. It offers a range of surf and bodyboard courses designed for kids, as well as coasteering and other gentler beach activities for families.
Take a look at family friendly places to stay in Newquay while kids learn to surf
Learn to surf in Wales
Wales is another great UK surfing destination. If kids don’t want to learn to surf in the sea, head to north Wales for the amazing surfing lagoon at Surf Snowdonia. This one-of-a-kind ‘water feature’ covers an area the size of six football pitches and is filled entirely by local rainwater from Welsh mountain reservoirs. At the push of a button, the rainwater becomes consistent and powerful 2m barrelling waves, a concept that has fired the imagination of surfers worldwide.
Take a look at family friendly places to stay in Snowdonia while kids learn to surf
Learn to surf in South West France
The Landes region of South West France is an outstanding area for kids learning to surf for the first time. Try Hossegor or Seignosse for enormous Atlantic beaches, warm summer seas and confidence-building, bi-lingual surf schools that teach kids from age five upwards. The gorgeous Landes’ coast is dotted with traditional villages and cool surf towns. Biarritz is about 40 minutes’ drive from Hossegor. And if you want to switch up your surf spots, San Sebastian in Spain’s Basque Country is an hour west of Biarritz.
Take a look at family friendly places to stay in Hossegor while kids learn to surf
Learn to surf in the Algarve
Portugal’s Algarve has some of the best surfing beaches in Europe and it’s a great place to learn, even for first timers. The sunny town of Sagres, in south west Algarve is a real surfing hotspot and home to several excellent surf schools which cover everything from beginner courses to equipment hire. Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel, is a good choice for families and the friendly team can help organise local surf lessons for kids and the resort itself is designed to keep non-surfing younger guests thoroughly entertained too.
Take a look at family friendly places to stay in the Algarve while kids learn to surf
Learn to surf in Sri Lanka
The Soul & Surf family on Sri Lanka’s south coast, between Galle and Weligama Bay, combines surfing lessons mind and body rejuvenation. Family holidays here include daily yoga sessions, guided meditation and massage and the hotel is only an hour’s drive from Trivandrum airport. Group surf lessons are available for children aged six to 16, though a parent or guardian must be in the water supervising their child at all times. Under 12s must be able to swim and one-on-one lessons are also available.
Take a look at family friendly places to stay while kids learn to surf in Sri Lanka
Learn to surf in Abu Dhabi
Learn to surf in the desert at Wadi Adventure in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. offers the world’s largest man-made surf pool, and can be controlled to provide the perfect conditions for everyone, from beginners to pros. Both small-group and individual lessons are available, all with qualified surf instructors. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can take to the pool for a ‘freesurf’, first gaining confidence in popping up and balancing in the whitewash, then learning how to ‘bottom turn’ and ‘trim’ on larger waves, until you’re dropping into 3m bombs that peel off perfectly both left and right.
Take a look at family friendly places to stay in Abu Dhabi while kids learn to surf
Looking for more adventure this summer? Check out Amazing family holidays in the Azores. And remember to follow Family Traveller on Instagram and Facebook for travel news and ideas – or just to say ‘hi’.