Father and son...On a sunny August morning, I found myself on the sands of Widemouth Bay in Cornwall, with my eight-year-old son James, about to embark on our latest learning experience – surfing. Widemouth Bay is just a few kilometres down the coast from the North Cornwall resort of Bude. Flanked at either end by cliffs, the bay, especially at low tide, is a wide, shallow beach, and a perfect place for would-be surfers like us.
We are in the capable hands of Sam Roberts, the owner of Atlantic Pursuits, who has spent most of his adult life teaching people to surf in Cornwall or to ski in the Alps – living the dream.
James and I were in a class of about ten beginners, of all shapes, sizes and ages. The first act was to don a full wetsuit, provided by the surf school. Wetsuits are made from neoprene, and work by allowing a little water to get in, which gets heated by your body and so keeps you warm.
The next step is to be given a surfboard. Beginners generally use softboards, with a foamy top. These are big, soft, buoyant, and easy to handle. In my case, Sam gave me a board about eight feet tall (2.4 metre), so at least I was beginning to look the part. James and I joined our fellow surfers as we laid our boards down on the sand in a semi-circle around Sam to learn the rudiments: look out for your wave, get on your board with your hands forward, gripping the rails (the side of the board), as the wave approaches bring your knees up towards your chest, then get to your feet with your arms in the Hawaii Five-0 (cult surfing detective drama in the 1970s) position and surf.
Some 30 minutes later, it was time to take on the Atlantic Ocean, but not before we had tied our leashes to our ankles, to keep the board with us at all times. We waded out until the water is at about chest height, turn the board around, so it is facing the beach, and wait for the right wave. For an absolute beginner this is probably about two feet high (0.6m). The trick is to read when the wave is about to break – that is become white and foamy– and hitch a ride just before it breaks. To begin with, we get it all wrong. Progress is slow: you get your body on, and then a few waves later you have brought your knees up, and then you get to your feet and fall in, again, and again,
and again.
James and I take lessons for four mornings, and at some time during the third session, we get to our feet and hold it for a second or two. It’s an indescribable feeling, being in balance and actually riding a wave, but the ocean soon lets you know who is boss. Fall in, wade back out, paddle, ride wave and repeat. Surfing is great fun, it’s healthy and it doesn’t matter what the weather is. It’s a perfect summer activity for the UK. James, of course, became better than me and his verdict on surfing, ‘Cool, Dad. When are we coming back?’
Less trendy than many resorts in Cornwall, Bude could be perceived a slightly old-fashioned, but that was a year ago and we’ve been back. As well as the activities on offer from Atlantic Pursuits, you can walk or cycle The Cornish Way, which passes through Bude. You can visit Tintagel Castle (supposedly the Camelot of King Arthur), which is a half-hour’s drive away, the Eden Project is a short drive away, and also not far away is Penzance, from where you can take a day trip to the Scilly Isles.
Trip Details
Getting There
The best way to get to Bude from the South-East is by car, via the M5.
Staying there
Graeme and James stayed at The Bullers Arms, Marhamchurch, near Bude (www.bullersarms.co.uk).
Activities
Graeme and James took surfing lessons with Atlantic Pursuits (www.atlanticpursuits.co.uk). There are maximum 10 in a class. Atlantic Pursuits also offer Canadian canoeing, boogie boarding and kayaking.
Children can learn how to surf with Atlantic Pursuits from the age of seven.
More info
The Bude Tourist office has information about where to stay and activities, visit www.visitbude.info, or, www.cornwalltouristboard.co.uk for more information on activities throughout Cornwall.
For advice on learning how to surf, see the British Surfing Association website, on www.britsurf.co.uk.
