UK Bodyboarding Fact File – 3 Of Our Favourite Locations Analysed

July 5, 2024
UK Bodyboarding Weekends

Devon, Wales & Newquay Bodyboard Spot Guide

Looking for an epic bodyboarding adventure that won’t break the bank? Look no further than the Bodyboard Holidays coaching weekends in Devon, Wales and Cornwall.

Each year we hit the road and offer unforgettable weekends packed with bodyboarding fun, stunning scenery, and good vibes. Here’s some useful information to help you plan a trip to one of our hand picked UK bodyboard escapes!

Wales Bodyboarding:

Craving a chilled escape in a breathtaking corner of the UK? Our Welsh Bodyboard Coaching Weekend takes you to the Gower Peninsula, the UK’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Picture stunning beaches, dramatic cliffs, wild moors, and woodlands – this place is surrounded by beauty! 

“I always feel that when I drive over the cattle grid on my way down to Llangennith Beach, I totally disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life and enter a state of chilled out bliss, there aren’t many more breathtaking locations in the UK than The Gower Peninsular” said Rob Barber, Bodyboard-Holidays Director. 

Where To Stay

  • Budget-Friendly Camping: Embrace the surfer lifestyle! Pitch your tent at Hillend Campsite, offering stunning views and easy beach access. Wake up to the sound of crashing waves for an authentic experience.
  • Comfy Pub Stay: Prefer a roof? Cosy up at the Kings Head pub‘s bed and breakfast. Enjoy a comfy room, delicious breakfasts, and post-shred pints with friendly locals.
  • Flexible Airbnb Options: Looking for variety? Explore charming cottages and modern apartments on Airbnb, all within a short distance of Llangennith beach.

Where To Eat

Indulge in fresh, local Welsh produce! Savour the salty bounty of the sea with mussels, cockles, or a dressed crab sandwich. Award-winning cheeses, creamy butter, and traditional Welsh cakes are perfect snacks. Don’t miss Laverbread, a unique seaweed delicacy paired with bacon or served as a side dish. Pubs such as the Kings Head offer hearty meals with Welsh lamb, while cafes boast fresh seafood platters.  One of our favourite places to eat is Eddies Restuarant at Llangennith.

Why Bodyboard in Wales?

Wales boasts some of the UK’s best bodyboarding breaks. We have local knowledge beyond popular beaches, offering hidden coves with waves for all skill levels. From gentle rollers to challenging reef breaks, you’ll find the perfect spot to improve your skills and catch epic waves. While South Wales sometimes gets overlooked, The Gower boasts a surprising variety of beaches and reef breaks, perfect for finding your own quiet peak to dominate. Ideal for both beginners seeking a safe and social introduction to bodyboarding and experienced riders wanting to push their skills, we cater to each person individually, so you’ll progress at your own pace and never feel lost in the crowd.

What Our Guests Say

Beyond Bodyboarding

Wales offers more than just waves! Explore the Gower coastal path with hidden coves, searching for dolphins and seals. Explore mediaeval castles or relax in charming villages with colourful cottages and local pubs. Craving adventure? Kayak crystal-clear coves, try coasteering with cliff jumps and rock scrambles, or skydive over the breathtaking Gower Peninsula for an unforgettable experience. Want to unwind? Relax with a spa treatment or tee off on a championship golf course. Gower caters to everyone – a nature lover’s paradise and an adventure playground rolled into one! 

We visit in autumn to maximise the opportunity of great waves and weather. This weekend sells out fast and is always sponsored by local Welsh bodyboarding brands Severn or Tafia, so you’ll get some free goodies for signing up. Take a look at our Wales Bodyboarding page for full details. 

Devon Bodyboarding:

Craving epic waves and laid-back Californian vibes without the long flight? Based in the south east or north of UK and fancy a shorter drive than heading to Cornwall?  Look no further than our Croyde Bodyboard Camp! Join British champion Damian Prisk and the Bodyboard Holidays crew for an action-packed 48-hour immersion into the UK’s finest beach breaks. Unwind on the coast with fellow bodyboarders, enjoy great food and a weekend away from the stresses of life – it’s pure bodyboarding bliss!

We’ll maximise your wave count with our expert coaching, track your progression with video analysis and make sure that you’re in the best place each day for the most fun waves. 

Where To Stay

  • Short Walk from the Waves: Fall asleep to the sound of the waves at one of Croyde Bay’s holiday parks. These campsite’s offer budget-friendly camping options and on-site amenities, perfect for a relaxed surfer vibe. The Bodyboard-Holidays team love the caravans of Ruda Holiday Park. It has great facilities and is literally a 5 minute walk to the sands of Croyde beach! 
  • Prefer a touch of luxury? Opt for one of Croyde’s hotels or self-catering apartments, just a short drive from the beach. Enjoy the convenience of your own space and stunning ocean views. Our guests love the rooms at The Thatch Inn, just a short walk from the beach, in the heart of the village. 
  • Explore Nearby Villages: Looking for a charming escape? Airbnb offers a variety of options in the nearby villages of Braunton and Woolacombe. Find cosy cottages or modern apartments within easy reach of Croyde.

Where To Eat

You’ll find something to eat in Croyde for every appetite! Our favourite bodyboarder owned restaurant is Blue Groove. They offer epic dishes with indoor and outdoor eating next to the stream in the centre of the village. We often grab a coffee and pastry for our morning surf check from Cafe Croyde Bay, they also have amazing full English breakfast options. They also serve up great pasties for lunch. Don’t forget to sample some of Devon’s famous clotted cream tea!

Why Bodyboard in Devon?

Croyde boasts some of the UK’s most consistent and hollow waves for bodyboarding. The low tide banks create some of the most sucky, fun options for bodyboarding in the UK. At a higher tide it’s more mellow which is great for practicing moves. A short drive away is Putsborough beach with it’s fun beach break peaks for all abilities. Our expert instructors know the area like the back of their hand, guiding you to the perfect spot for your skill level. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced bodyboarder, this epic location has something for everyone.

What Our Guests Say

Beyond Bodyboarding

Venture north of Croyde Bay to Baggy Point, a dramatic headland managed by the National Trust. Explore the scenic trails and enjoy panoramic views of the coastline. Learn about the area’s geology and discover hidden coves along the way.

Had enough of the beach? Take a day trip to explore the beauty of Exmoor National Park. Hike through rolling hills, encounter wild ponies, and discover charming villages nestled within the stunning landscape.

Want to mix with the locals? Enjoy the lively atmosphere of Croyde’s traditional pubs. Sample local ales, chat with friendly locals, and soak up the relaxed vibe of the village.

We visit Croyde in May and October to get the best of the long days, mild temperatures and consistent swells. Join us to get the best of Devon Bodyboarding

Cornwall Bodyboarding:

Our Newquay coaching weekends boast a 75% return rate. Why? Because we deliver the results! Our founder Rob, has been a Newquay resident for over 40 years, and has dedicated his life to chasing the best waves not just in Newquay but around the globe. This translates to an unparalleled knowledge of the town’s 7 diverse beach breaks, hidden gems, and the tastiest local eats. Add to this 5 time British Champion Damian Prisk and you have a team of lead instructors who can show you the very best of Newquay and the surrounding area.

“I’ve travelled all over the world bodyboarding and it’s super rare to have one town that has such a variety of wave riding options in such a small area. From the learner friendly waves of Newquay Bay, the empty wedging peaks of Whipsiddery, the fun walls of Fistral and ofcourse the jewel in the crown, Tolcarne Wedge”. Damian Prisk, Bodyboard Holidays Head Coach. 

Beyond bodyboarding, Newquay and Cornwall stuns with its dramatic cliffs plunging into the Atlantic’s turquoise waters. On a clear evening, when the sunsets over Towan Head – it’s a sight rivalling any exotic destination!

Where To Stay

Newquay is Cornwall’s biggest tourist town, the accommodation options are vast! 

  • Camping: Newquay and the surrounding areas offer a whole host of budget-friendly options for those wishing to stay in their campervan or tent. Websites such as pitchup.com are ideal for helping you find somewhere to set up camp. Our guests love Trevornick Holywell and Porth Beach Holiday Park
  • Hotels and Hostels: We love working with the Oceanside Hotel who give our guests 10% off! Just mention that you’re our customer when you call to book. We also love the Lewinnick Lodge. Fancy something overlooking Tolcarne wedge? Try the Newquay Beach Hotel
  • Self Catering: We offer two stunning oceanfront apartments, the Sunset View Apartment or the Newquay Bay Apartment offer great value and handy locations for the weekend events. 

Where To Eat

From fresh-off-the-boat seafood to traditional Cornish fare, Newquay caters to every appetite. We present you with a discount card for some of our fave spots to eat. Indulge in fish and chips from our fave spot Flounders, grab a Cornish pasty from a local bakery, or savour a classic cream tea. We love lunch from Loafers sandwich bar for the ultimate post surf baguette or salad box (use our 10% off discount card!). There’s no shortage of international flavours either, with options like 12 Beach Road burritos, salads, burgers to die for and great evening dinner vibes overlooking Towan Beach. Beachside cafes offer stunning views with breakfast pastries and light lunches, head to our neighbours at Box and Barber cafe for a great coffee (again, use our discount card!).

Why Bodyboard in Cornwall?

Newquay isn’t just a beach town, it’s a bodyboarding haven steeped in history, boasting the UK’s densest population of riders! This birthplace of British surfing continues the legacy with 7 incredible beaches, each catering to all skill levels. If you want to shop for bodyboarding goods, head over to see Steve-o at Temple of Fringe Surf Shop, he carries a great range of kit and is a mine of useful info about the surf around the area. Amazing vibes from a store that is built on stoke. From gentle learning waves at Towan to epic competitions at Fistral, and all of the secret spots discovered by generations of riders, there’s a perfect break waiting for you to carve your own piece of bodyboarding history in Newquay. As a proving ground for many of the UK’s top bodyboarders, the line-up pulsates with a passion for the sport that’s infectious!

Why Our Guests Say

Beyond Bodyboarding

Newquay’s energy doesn’t stop with the waves! Unwind after shredding with a sunset drink at a beachside bar, watching surfers catch the last rays. Explore the town’s bustling centre with its shops, cafes, and restaurants – browse for the local surf shops for gear or do a spot of souvenir shopping, grab a delicious meal, or indulge in some Cornish ice cream.

After something a bit more lively? Catch a local band playing live music in a pub, or dive into the lively nightlife scene with pubs, clubs, and cocktail bars. 

Feeling achy? Many hotels offer spa treatments, the perfect way to soothe those post-surf muscles and ensure you’re fully recharged for your next bodyboarding session.

Pumped to score some epic UK bodyboarding waves?

Bodyboard Holidays has you covered! Explore the stunning Welsh coastline, soak up the Californian vibes of Croyde in Devon or join us at our home in Newquay – all of these destinations offer unforgettable bodyboarding weekends. Check out our calendar to learn when you can join us at these incredible locations.

Looking to take your skills to the next level?

We offer coaching weekends and daily lessons from our state-of-the-art centre in Newquay, Cornwall. Want to chase some sunshine? Our calendar is bursting with bodyboarding adventures all around the globe! Book your dream bodyboarding trip today and get ready to shred!

Rob Barber

Author

Rob Barber

Director
I’ve competed at bodyboarding since I was 13. I won my first open division age 14. Then became obsessed with bodyboarding and competed all over the country then the world.  My best year I won 11 events in the UK and internationally. My best result ever was ranking the highest European in the World professional championships at Pipeline. I won over 30 events when I was competing full time.  I have written and edited 4 books on surfing and bodyboarding. Two of which have gone on to be best sellers in their area of specialty.

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