Surf Lesson FAQs

WHERE IS YOUR SURF SCHOOL?

Our surf school is located down at Crooklets Beach, Bude, EX23 8NE and this is where we provide all our surf class.
On the beach-side of Rosies Kitchen Cafe you will find a blue cabin and trailer with MLH Surf School on. Pop in and say hello.

CAN I LEARN TO SURF AT OTHER BEACHES IN NORTH CORNWALL?

Miles is able to run your surf lesson at any of the four beaches near Bude and at your preferred surfing location in North Cornwall.
More information is available on the Surfing Locations in North Cornwall.

IS THERE PARKING CLOSE TO THE BEACH?

There are two nearest car parks for your surfing lessons at Crooklets beach. A large Cornwall Council Pay and Display and a Smaller Pay and Display behind Rosies Kitchen Cafe, which is much cheaper.

DO I NEED TO HAVE TRIED SURFING BEFORE?

It doesn’t matter if you’ve not learned to surf or are not able to surf. As long as you can swim 50 Meters we will make sure you have a safe and amazing experience learning to surf with us.

WHAT IS YOUR MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM AGE FOR LEARNING TO SURF?

There is no min or max when learning to surf. It all boils down to how confident you are in the water and whether you are able to swim 50 meters. We can discuss this with you based on surfing lesson size and whether you need supervision while learning to surf.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING TO MY SURF LESSON?

Please bring some swimwear to get changed into and a towel. Wetsuits are included for the lesson or you can bring your own wetsuit. We recommend wearing long leg wetsuits to protect your knees. We advise wearing some sunscreen as well.

HOW MANY SURF LESSONS SHOULD I BOOK?

We’re almost certain we’ll get you standing during your first surf lesson, so see how you get on.
Generally, we recommend 3-5 surf lessons before you go out and hire your own equipment. That way you’ll be safe in knowing how to surf and where to surf.  We are sure you’ll have so much fun learning to surf you’ll want to join us again.

I’VE GOT AN INHALER / INSULIN / MEDICATION: CAN I BRING IT WITH ME ON THE SURF LESSON?

Please make us aware of this when you sign into your surf lesson. Your surf instructor will take a waterproof backpack to the shore so we can take any medication you need with us for the surf lesson.

CAN I USE MY OWN SURF EQUIPMENT FOR THE SURF LESSON?

Everything required for learning to surf is included in the lesson, but if you’ve invested in your own surfing kit, you’re welcome to bring it along.
If you’re got a new surfboard, the surf instructors will be more than happy to help you get to grips with it.

WILL I BE SAFE IN THE WATER DURING MY SURFING LESSON?

Our surfing instructors are all accredited beach lifeguards and high-level surfers with years of surfing experience at the local beaches. You don’t need to worry as you’re in the safest hands possible. In addition, both Crooklets and Summerleaze beaches are patrolled by RNLI lifeguards during the day in the summer season from 10am-6pm. Our surfing instructors are always checking the sea conditions and will only allow a surfing lesson to take place if they deem the sea conditions completely safe.

DO YOU HIRE OUT SURF BOARDS AND WETSUITS?

We hire out all surf equipment and wetsuits at our Crooklets Beach location. Pop on down and we’ll get you kitted out.

DO I NEED SWIMMING GOGGLES FOR SURFING?

We’ve never encouraged people to wear goggles for their surfing lesson and have many regular surfers who go in with contact lenses and have no problems. It’s your call, but we say you don’t particularly need them.

I HAVE A PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT / LEARNING DIFFICULTY / AM DEAF / PARTIALLY SIGHTED / ETC : CAN I COME SURFING WITH YOU?

We’d love to take you surfing and there shouldn’t be anything to prevent you from surfing!
The minimum requirement for your surfing lesson with us is that you can swim 50 metres: if you can do this, we can help with the rest. We’ve had deaf, limbless and autistic surfers before and they’ve done fantastically well. Give our chief surf instructor, Miles, a call to discuss how we can help you have the best surf lesson experience.

HOW COLD IS THE SEA IN NORTH CORNWALL?

We wear summer wetsuits during May to October (usually 3mm thick) and then winter wetsuits the rest of the time (5mm thick) and have no problem with the cold. The sea is often warmer than the air with temperatures getting up to 18 degrees centigrade in the summer months. We have both summer and winter wetsuits for you to use depending on the conditions and the time of year to make sure you will be comfortable and warm during your surfing lesson.

WHICH BEACHES ARE DOG FRIENDLY?

Summerleaze Beach is dog friendly (dogs on leads between 10am and 6pm from 21st May to 30th September)

Crooklets Beach, dogs are banned from 15th May to 30th September between 10am and 6pm.