CROYDE BEGINNER SURFER PROGRAMME

This two-day surf programme gives you the perfect introduction to surfing in a safe and supportive environment. With practical instruction in the water and in-depth surf theory sessions back at our base, your surfing skills will skyrocket by the end of the programme! Here’s what you can expect to learn:

Practical / In the water

• Basic ocean safety and identifying rip currents
• Getting to know the parts of a surfboard
• Bodysurfing to build confidence
• Handling and controlling the board
• Riding whitewater waves lying on the board
• Catching broken waves
• Getting to your feet (and staying up!)
• Working on your pop up and take off
• Body positioning on the board
• Stalling and accelerating

Theory

• How waves are formed
• Choosing which beaches are safe to surf and avoiding Rips
• Different types of surfing (longboarding vs shortboard)
• Buying your first board and wetsuit
• Surf fitness tips to help with your pop up

Plus video analysis of your surfing with move-by-move breakdowns and personalised feedback.

Over the course of the two days, you’re guaranteed to see instant improvements in your surfing. Not only will you be successfully catching and riding broken waves, turning left and right as well as stalling and accelerating, you’ll also be feeling more confident in the water with an improved ocean awareness and surfing mindset. You’ll walk away with actionable tips to work on in your next surf session, heaps more knowledge about surf theory, equipment, safety and technique – as well as a whole new gang of surfing pals!

Find out which course is best suited for you here!

Ready to join our two-day Beginner Surfer Programme? Here’s what a typical day looks like when you come to surf with us in Croyde. We want to make sure you’re getting the best waves for your ability, so times might change depending on the surf forecast and the tides.

• When it comes to surfing, we’re all for early starts! You’ll arrive in the morning around 7:30/8:30am at our meeting place which will be sent to you the week before arrival, to meet the team, get to know your new surfing buddies and assess the surf conditions of the day.
• Time to jump in the water! Once you’ve met your instructors, we’ll walk down to the beach together with our surfboards and wetsuits. After a fun warm up, you’ll have two surf sessions with a snack break on the beach to rest and refuel between sessions.
• When the surf sessions are finished, you’ll get changed and meet us [meeting place] for a video analysis and surf theory session. This is where you’ll be able to see what you actually look like when you’re surfing! Your instructor will give you personalised feedback and breakdowns for each of your waves caught on camera to give you something to work on next time you’re in the water. It’s also a great time to ask your instructor any questions you have. Lunch is available to pre-order to eat during the session.
• You will then have a few hours of free time to explore Croyde and relax before an optional dinner with everyone at 6pm at our favourite local restaurant.
• On your last day you will be finished around lunchtime.

Croyde has lots of accommodation options for all budgets, click here for our accommodation recommendations!

We meet at EX33 1NP on both days so bear this in mind when choosing!

VANS AND CAMPING

We welcome guests to stay in their van or to pitch a tent! We recommend Ruda Holiday Park for a central location. They also have caravans and self-contained apartments to rent.

JURASSIC VANS

If you don’t have a van of your own, check out Jurassic Vans for the ultimate adventure getaway!
This isn’t just any old camping, it’s rugged and practical with ultimate luxury, including

-A king size/Super king bed
-A hot shower for the post surf wash down
-A fully kitted kitchen to whip up delicious feasts
-Cinema to relax and catch your favourite surf film
-Unique interiors designed to help you relax in complete comfort
-Roof racks to carry boards/SUPs/kayaks
-Chunky all terrain tyres
-Solar powered

Great for solo or group adventures

Please contact Jurassic Vans directly for more information and to book. Collection from Bournemouth.

BOARD BAG (OPTIONAL)

A decent board bag will protect your kit and store bulky things like your wetsuit, boots and a towel.

BOARD SOCK (OPTIONAL)

A cheaper option than a board bag, it’ll protect your board from the sun and double up as a board towel. They don’t offer as much protection as a bag.

WETSUIT BOOTS

Keep your toes toasty between November and April with some well-fitting neoprene boots. We can supply if you don’t have your own.

GLOVES

Keep your digits warm when the water gets chilly from mid January to the end of March. We can supply if you don’t have your own.

HOOD

Only required in the depths of winter, especially if you regularly duck dive or fancy some extra warmth. We can supply if you don’t have your own.

SUN PROTECTION

This is essential in the summer and even on colder days – the sun’s rays still penetrate through the clouds and reflect off the water’s surface.

Make sure you wear waterproof sunscreen. Zinc based sticks are a good option and won’t run into your eyes.

CLOTHING

Bring warm clothing suitable for all weathers – it’s not uncommon to get four seasons in one day in the south west of England. Layers are the best option and a woolly hat is ideal for warming up after a cold surf.

We’ll send you an email a week before the programme starts to let you know where and when to meet us in Croyde. Here’s everything you need to know about the local area and the many waves!

AREA

Ah, Devon. Home to wild and dramatic landscapes, beautiful beaches and quaint villages.

And let’s not forget the surf or the cream teas.

Boasting two national parks – Exmoor and Dartmoor – Devon is often overlooked by holidaymakers making a beeline for Cornwall. But this county has much to offer in its own right, with an incredible variety of beaches and a comparable quality of surf.

North Devon’s coastline is similar to Cornwall’s, but on a grander scale – vast glacial cliffs plunge into the Atlantic, backed by forested valleys and verdant peaks beyond.

If you’ve never visited or surfed in Devon, come and join us. You’ll soon realise just what you’ve been missing out on.

WAVES

There are waves to suit everyone in this scenic corner of North Devon, which is just an hour off the M5.

No matter what stage you’re at, we’ll find the perfect peaks for you. In Saunton, mellow longboard waves roll in, while there’s a faster, more powerful left-hand point break at Lynmouth.

Close to Croyde, some beaches like Putsborough offer shelter from certain wind directions (we’ll explain more about this during our theory sessions).

We’re committed to getting you on the best waves and we’ll explore all options, depending on the surf.

CROYDE BEACH

With fun waves at all stages of the tide, it’s easy to see why this golden beach is the jewel in North Devon’s crown.

From hollow barrels at low tide, to a more mellow wave as higher tide, it provides long rides and is popular with the pros.

It’s one of the best surf beaches in the UK – and is also our base for the weekend.

SAUNTON SANDS

This three-mile-long sandy stretch of beach is a popular choice with longboarders.

Its slow-rolling, gently-peeling waves make it perfect for practising basics including popping up on unbroken waves, duck diving and turtle rolling.

Sheltered from northwesterly winds, it’s just around the corner from Croyde with a short walk to the beach from the car park.

PUTSBOROUGH

At the southern end of Woolacombe beach, Putsborough is a good option if the wind switches to a southwesterly direction.

It’s ideal for beginners and intermediates on a rising tide, who want a slightly more advanced wave than Saunton.

There’s a beachside cafe that has a great view of this beautiful beach – perfect for a post-surf snack.

WOOLACOMBE

This wide, exposed beach picks up a lot of swell and provides fun waves at all stages of the tide.

A classic beach in the area, Woolacombe is a great option for all surfers – whether you’re learning or want to practise trickier moves.

LYNMOUTH

With one of the UK’s longest left-hand waves, this is heaven for goofy footers.

It’s a point break, so best suited to advanced surfers, and generally works in bigger swells. A southerly wind will generate clean, glassy waves.

The break is also set against the dramatic backdrop of Exmoor National Park, with its rising green cliffs making this a truly magical surfing spot.

CLIMATE

Being located in the southwest, Devon has one of Britain’s higher average annual sea temperatures (thanks to the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean). It also boasts warm summers, mild winters and excellent swell exposure.

Early spring and autumn sees fewer crowds and summer temperatures – the best of both worlds!