If you’re planning a staycation on the beach this summer and you’re looking for surf schools who teach all levels of experience, then you’re in certainly in luck if you’re on the Devonshire coast. The county plays host to some of the best surf schools in the country and offers long and sandy beaches for you to try something new or home in on your skills. After reaching out to our community and visiting some beaches ourselves, we’ve put together ten of the best surf schools that Devon has to offer.
The North Devon Surf School, Westward Ho!
The North Devon Surf School is the highest rated surf school in the UK and have been teaching locals and visitors to ride the waves since 1988. With a purpose-built surfing centre just 50 metres from Westward Ho! beach and the highest standard of coaching, equipment, and facilities, this family run school is a MUST for anyone looking to learn. For a full experience, visitors have access to winter wetsuits, heated changing rooms, toilets, hot showers, and a wood fired pizza café!
https://www.northdevonsurfschool.co.uk/
Croyde Surf Academy, Croyde
Directly overlooking the large sandy beach in Croyde, this academy will assist you in progressing to the next level of surfing, from beginners to advanced levels. Offering lessons to anyone between the ages of 5 to 85, Croyde Surf Academy guarantee to have you standing up and riding in your first lesson, and if not, you get your second lesson for free! Lessons for kids start at £35, and £40 for adults. And if you don’t fancy surfing, they also offer stand-up paddle boarding lessons, as well as a coasteering experience!
https://croydesurfacademy.com/
Walking on Waves Surf School, Saunton and Croyde
Walking on Waves offers surf lessons to people of all ages and abilities, from first timers in a wetsuit, to all-seasons riders. Learn the basics, improve your riding or rebuild your foundational surfing skills. With single lessons, extensive courses and SUP lessons available, it’s time to sign up before everything is booked this summer! Small group sessions start from £40 which includes use of a winter grade wetsuit and board.
Bantham Surfing Academy, Bantham
Endorsed by Surfing GP, this centre of excellence in Bantham offers lessons and courses for all skill levels, from absolute beginner through to improvement and coaching for experienced surfers. Choose from group sessions, private lessons, and paddle board lessons for those looking for something a bit more tranquil. With 10 years of experience, their surf coaches are the only ISA qualified coaches in South Devon and are sure to have you standing up and riding waves in no time! Lessons for children aged 4-8 start at £28, with options to save money if you book a course, lessons for ages 7-8 start at £35, and adult classes also start at £35.
https://banthamsurfingacademy.co.uk/
Discovery Surf School, Bigbury on Sea
Teaching surf lessons in South Devon since 2002, Discovery Surf School in Bigbury on Sea provide professional, quality coaching to small groups of all experiences. Praised as one of the best surf schools in the UK by Coast Magazine, this family run business is dedicated to delivering top quality surfing and paddleboard coaching. With an emphasis on having fun whilst staying safe, visitors here are guaranteed a brilliant experience with beginner surf lessons starting at £35. Each session starts with a 15 minute safety and technique lesson on the beach before hitting the waves and homing in on your surf skills!
Surf Sup Academy, Westward Ho!
Regardless of ability, age, shape or size, Surf SUP Academy in Westward Ho! will have the perfect surfing package for you. Learn the basics of surfing or fine tune your technique on one of the best and most consistent surf beaches in the UK. Surf lessons are guaranteed to be as fun and rewarding as possible, with group sessions starting at £30 per person, and private sessions starting at £85. Founders James and Rob have travelled the world surfing, picking up skills and ideas as they go, so student here are in for a whole world of experienced teaching.
https://www.surfsupacademy.co.uk/
Westward Waves, Westward Ho!
Offering personal and group sessions on the beautiful beach of Westward Ho!, Westward Waves offer coaching to all ages and levels of experiences. Kit up in their very own private changing rooms on the beach, run through a 10-20 minute beach talk discussing technique and safety before heading out to hit the waves!
Two hour group sessions of up to seven people start at £30 and run throughout the day, whilst private lessons start at £75, with additional people joining for £25 per person.
https://www.westwardwavessurfschool.co.uk/
Surf Saunton Surf School, Saunton
Located on the beautiful North Devon coastline, Saunton Sands Beach is widely known as one of the most spectacular beaches in the country, which makes it the perfect spot to learn to surf! With wave conditions suitable for all levels of surfing and three miles of beach to learn from, this is a quiet and safe location to start your surfing journey. Surf lessons start at £40 per person, with private one to one sessions costing £110 per person.
https://www.surf-saunton.co.uk/lessons/
Hunter Surf School, Woolacombe
The Surfing England qualified coaches at Hunter Surf will take students through the fundamentals of surfing whilst teaching you how to stay safe in the water. Based right on Woolacombe Beach, visitors have access to showers and changing facilities, with lockers and storage provided. Lessons are available for all ages and abilities, however children under the age of eight are unable to join group sessions. Initial taster sessions start at £38 for two hours, or learn to surf with up to seven members of the family for £250!
Woolacombe Surf Centre, Woolacombe
Woolacombe Surf Centre is the highest rated and qualified surf school in the area and is accredited as a Centre of Excellence by Surfing England. Made up of qualified instructors and beach lifeguards, the team at Woolacombe Surf Centre have years of experience from all over the world and our bound to have you riding the waves in no time!
Half day sessions start at £35, a full day’s session is £38, whilst a full weekend of three sessions costs £100. Private sessions with a dedicated instructor are available, but you’ll have to get in touch for a quote.
