Five of the best beginner surf spots

Fancy honing your surf skills but don’t know where to go? These five UK spots offer slow- breaking waves and safe conditions ideal for novice surfers

1. Saunton Sands, Devon

Surfers on the wide expanse of Saunton Sands | Fotolia.com

Surfers on the wide expanse of Saunton Sands | Fotolia.com

Slow breaking waves for a gentle introduction to surfing in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

2. Watergate Bay, Cornwall

Find your surf feet at Watergate Bay | Fotolia.com

Find your surf feet at Watergate Bay | Fotolia.com

Avoid the chaos of Fistral Beach by heading just outside Newquay for consistent waves off a sandy beach.

3. Saltburn, Cleveland

Beginner-friendly waves await you at Saltburn

Beginner-friendly waves await you at Saltburn 

North-facing sands and great beach breaks on both sides of Saltburn’s old pier.

4. Pease Bay,Scotland

A first-time surfer's paradise |Martin Burns via Creative Commons

A first-time surfer’s paradise |Martin Burns via Creative Commons


A relatively safe beach not too far from Edinburgh. Avoid in rougher weather.

5. Caswell Beach, Wales

Caswell bay at dusk | Fotolia.com

Caswell bay at dusk | Fotolia.com

Close to Mumbles village and relatively safe, small surf for beginners, all on a Blue Flag beach.

 Words: Daniel Wildey

OAG