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THE UK’S FIRST EVER ALL WOMENS BODYBOARD WEEKEND
Boost your confidence and improve your bodyboarding with other like-minded stoke-loving women! Comparatively easier than surfing, bodyboarding allows you to get up close and personal with the ocean whilst results (and smiles!) appear much faster! Due to your low centre of gravity, the sense of speed and excitement is increased which means you can have way more fun with less effort! These weekends are also an opportunity to meet a bunch of women just like yourself in a super-chilled, no-pressure environment.
It’s our promise to maximise the bodyboarding fun throughout the weekend by making sure that you are in the right place for the best waves for your ability. We create separate ability groups which will see you developing your skills with likeminded riders of a similar ability level. On Saturday evening we will enjoy a group meal at one of our favourite local restaurants, the weekends are very social, we get results, but it certainly isn’t a boot camp.
If you’ve never tried bodyboarding before and want to learn a new sport in a safe environment, this weekend provides the perfect introduction. Maybe you surf already but want to experience a new and different way of riding waves? Whether you’re a complete beginner or an advanced rider, our awesome team of female coaches can help you nail each manoeuvre with personalised tuition and feedback.
£219 per person
Can’t make it for a whole week, why not join us for a day!
Saturday only, £139 per person
Sunday only, £119 per person
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
The evenings are for kicking back, enjoying a group meal with the crew on the weekend, if you’ve got the energy you could grab a drink at the Fistral Beach Bar and watch the sun go down. Newquay is a great place for a walk through town in the evening and there are lots of great spots to eat, drink and people watch. But to be honest, most people that join our coaching weekend are ready to chill and grab an early night after a long day in the water.
Cornwall’s biggest seaside resort is the birthplace of the British surf scene and the centre of the UK’s multi-million-pound surf industry. It’s a great place to be based with access to dozens of quality beach breaks. Seven beaches in one town, all working on different tides, wind and swell directions. If you know it well you can always find a fun rideable wave to suit your style.
‘Coast of Dreams’ reads the welcome sign as you drive into Britain’s best known surf city, and for many people that’s exactly what it is. As soon as you arrive, the place reeks of surfing and bodyboarding: the road signs are covered in surf stickers, you’ll see someone skateboarding down the road within five minutes, and the town is full of pseudo-surfer dudes with long hair, tatts and a tan. But look off the well worn track and there are some incredibly beautiful beaches and coves and it’s these places that we love to visit.
The town, and Cornwall in general, is home to some of the most awesome scenery in Britain with dramatic cliffs dropping into the blue waters of the Atlantic. The view across Newquay Bay on a clear evening, with the sun setting behind Towan Head, is comparable to anything you’ll see on your travels abroad.
Towan Beach
Towan is unique in its appeal for bodyboarders as it has something for all abilities. Sitting in the shadow of Towan Head, the beach is protected from big swells and benefits from shelter to strong winds which can spoil the shape of the Atlantic swells. If you’re learning to bodyboard then this is a huge bonus as the waves are more manageable which makes the process of catching them easier.
For bodyboarders of more experience there’s the left hand breaking wave known as ‘Kiddies Corner’. You can catch it at low tide at the southern end of the beach where it breaks off the rocks close to Newquay harbour’s north quay. As the ocean pushes in towards mid-tide there is a wave called ‘Bothwicks’, named after the rocks that sit in front of the island. This is popular with locals and offers a great option during medium sized three-to-four foot swells.
Also look out for the unique ‘Harbour Left’ wave that Newquay locals love. This can be found on the opposite side of the beach during mid-tide when the incoming swells ride up the side of the south quay harbour wall. At high tide the waves refract off the island and even bounce off the promenade wall. These refracting and wedging waves are a highlight of any bodyboarding session at Towan.
Fistral
The jewel in the crown of Newquay surf breaks and home to the UK’s biggest surfing competition – Boardmasters Festival. If there is any swell out there, Fistral will be serving up a wave. With the many different options it offers something for riders of all abilities. From the dredging tubes of low tide at north Fistral to the fun high tide wedges of south Fistral; a little local knowledge goes a long way towards bagging yourself the best waves.
Tolcarne
Home to the UK’s best bodyboarding wave, Tolcarne Wedge originates in the south corner of the beach when the incoming waves refract off the headland. This movement creates corner waves or ‘wedges’ as experienced bodyboarders call them. The collision of the incoming wave coupled with the refraction offers twice the power and twice the speed of a normal wave. When you catch a good one, it will take pride of place in your bodyboarding memory bank and you’ll be itching to come back for more!
GREAT WESTERN BEACH
Wedged between Towan and Tolcarne, this is one of Newquay’s central beaches. It offers consistent clean conditions in a southwesterly wind. There are plenty of lefts and rights for everyone.
Other great spots nearby include Crantock, Perranporth and Watergate Bay. There are plenty more that offer uncrowded perfection on their day – you just need to know where to look. That’s where we come in.
Our coaching weekend takes place in Newquay and it’s here you’ll stay on the Saturday night following a long day of awesome booging!
Luckily you won’t need to travel too far from the waves as the weekend is based close to many accommodation options right in the heart of Newquay. Our personal favourite is the Oceanside Hotel which is just a short walk from alternative accommodation options and a short drive from the outskirts with plenty of parking nearby.
If you don’t fancy staying at Oceanside, there are plenty of other options including our very own bodyboarder-friendly apartments. Check out options below:
SELF CATERING:
SUNSET VIEWS APARTMENT, PENTIRE, NEWQUAY
Our first apartment overlooks Pentire Headland and benefits from lots of natural light in a spacious living area. This two-bedroom property is perfectly located close to Fistral Beach and Newquay Town Centre; ideal for a post-lesson surf or a bite to eat in the evening. Both the Gannel Estuary and Crantock Beach are within a five-minute walk too, with the coastal path or main road being accessible from the apartment.
Our luxury apartment is located on the third floor with both elevator and staircase access. There is also a spacious, open-plan kitchen diner to enjoy home-made meals after a hard day of training. There is a juliet balcony in the kitchen that enjoys morning sunshine for alfresco breakfasts too. The dining room houses a large dinner table which is a great space for working or eating while enjoying ocean views out across Fistral Beach.
In the large lounge you will find a sofa-bed, flat-screen TV, plenty of space and a private south-facing balcony. This means you will benefit from sunshine all day alongside excellent opportunities to check the surf and catch some epic sunsets.
Each of the two bedrooms have a set of twin beds, a wardrobe, chest of drawers, bedside table and reading light. One has an en-suite with two hand basins, a bath, shower and toilet. There is also a separate bathroom and WC. Both bedrooms have stunning sea views for that ultimate hint of luxury.
NEWQUAY BAY APARTMENT, NEWQUAY
The second choice of accommodation is our Newquay Bay Apartment, a place where you really couldn’t get any closer to the action if you tried. This apartment is ideally located just minutes from the centre of Newquay town. With plenty of surf shops, coffee shops, independent retailers and gourmet restaurants close by, you’ll definitely get that laid-back surf vibe during your stay!
Newquay Bay Apartment is a modern, quiet, two-bedroom property that benefits from brand new fixtures and fittings due to a complete refurbishment in 2021. There is a new and modern kitchen as well as a brand new bathroom. The apartment is just a two-minute walk to Newquay Harbour where you will find one of our favourite wild swimming spots and idyllic ocean views. In the opposite direction, but just as close, you’ll find Newquay Town Centre with an abundance of coffee shops, restaurants and surf shops.
Inside the property there is a large and spacious living room/diner, comprising a sofa bed and a brand new 52” TV. There is also a sizable dining table that lends itself nicely to group meals. Alternatively, it can double up as a large work or study space to go over your course notes in the evening.
The two bedrooms are both twin rooms with zip-link beds; these can be connected together if you’re after a private double room or you’re staying with a partner. Both rooms have wardrobes, chests of drawers, bedside tables and reading lights.
The living room space benefits from four large windows that face out across Towan, Great Western and beyond – all the way to Watergate Bay on a clear day! There is also a large south-facing courtyard to the rear of the property, perfect for catching some rays or hanging wetsuits out to dry.
HOTEL:
We run our Newquay coaching weekends near Oceanside Hotel, located just above the world-famous Fistral Beach. All bodyboard weekenders receive discounted accommodation at the Oceanside, just head over to their website and use code: BBoardHol10.
Make sure you book as soon as possible as they only have limited availability! Here you’ll have epic views of the beach, be able to check the surf while eating breakfast and have a short walk down the stairs to the meeting point!
SURF LODGE:
Check out Smarties Surf Lodge and tell your wonderful host Jackie that you are a bodyboarder on our weekend and you will receive a cold beer and some cake when you check in!
AIRBNB:
In the heart of Newquay, overlooking Towan and with stunning views stretching all the way to Watergate, check out Lotus Lounge. This two story flat has a sun deck and can sleep up to 8 people. Also check out their properties on Pentire Headland, Little Lotus and Ocean Lotus!
ADULT-ONLY B&B
Cliff House has stood proud with its four identical tall neighbours on Fore Street since it was built over 100 years ago. These grand iconic buildings were originally holiday homes for the gentry as Newquay established itself as a destination for the wealthy to take in the sea air at the beginning of the 20th Century. Cliff House is located in the heart of Newquay close to many great restaurants.
It has breathtaking sea views over Towan Beach which can be accessed via a footpath, just a stone’s throw from the property. Fistral Beach, one of the best surfing beaches in Britain, is less than a 10 minute walk away. Following extensive renovations, Cliff House plugs that gap between large hotels and traditional seaside guest houses. Bodyboard Holidays customers can benefit from a 10% discount when booking direct with Cliff House and using the code: BODYBOARDHOLIDAYS10
BOUTIQUE B&B:
Why not check out Lazy Waves who boast stunning sea views overlooking Towan Beach. Roll out of bed and right into the surf!
Fancy a Travel Lodge or Premier Inn in Newquay? They both benefit from awesome sea views.
CAMPING:
For those of you who prefer a slightly more wild adventure, have a look at our favourite camping spot – Trethiggey Holiday Park. For the van-lifers, there are also wild camping spots in the area if you are lucky enough to find that perfect place!
If these options aren’t what you are looking for you can also browse Booking.com and Airbnb as there are countless options in the area.
STARTING THE DAY RIGHT
Depending on the tides and our schedule, we will often meet for a morning coffee and enjoy a varied menu of breakfast options before the day begins. This is entirely optional but our coastal café meet-up offers stunning sea views and the opportunity to meet the team in a relaxed atmosphere. There’s no better way to watch the morning waves than with a coffee in hand chatting with your fellow bodyboarding buddies.
KEEPING YOURSELF FUELLED
We ask you to prepare a packed lunch for both days so that we can enjoy alfresco lunches during our surfari along the coast. Bodyboarding can be physically demanding so we’d recommend fruit, nuts and other fibre-filled snacks to keep you energised for your water sessions. We also offer free tea and coffee from our base near Towan beach which is where we will run through your feedback analysis sessions.
SATURDAY EVENING MEAL
A highlight of the weekend for many of our customers is the Saturday evening meal. After a day of learning, paddling and scoring epic waves, we will have definitely earned some tasty locally-sourced food. Cornwall is home to a variety of delicious dishes and Newquay isn’t short of chilled restaurants in which to try them either.
We work with our favourite local beach-side restaurants to create a chilled evening that showcases Cornwall’s scrummy food and drink scene. It’s entirely optional but it’s a great opportunity to let your hair down, make new friends and relax after a great day of bodyboarding. The company is great, the ambience is chilled and the food is delicious!
All dietary requirements are catered for.
Whatever your ability and experience in the water, our awesome team of strong female instructors will have you covered. Our highly-qualified coaching staff offer tailored tuition suited to your ability. Our instructors are all qualified lifeguards and are also fully insured so you couldn’t be in safer hands! Our coaches love to surf and bodyboard and will always grab the board that is most suited to the conditions on the day. We pride ourselves on employing only the most talented instructors and the best ocean photographers in Newquay. All of our events consist of at least 80% female staff.
We also run in house training to make sure you get the best tuition and experience.
WEEKEND PLAN
SATURDAY
The weekend starts with two bodyboard sessions, each one being two hours long. We’ll focus on any aspects that you’d like to cover and our instructors will also help you set your goals for the weekend.
At the end of the day we’ll go through the photo and video analysis feedback to help practice what you’ve learnt ready for the afternoon session.
SUNDAY
Building on all the skills you learnt during day 1, you’ll have your final in-water coaching session on day 2. There will be another video analysis session including demonstrations and in-depth breakdowns to help improve your technique.
During the weekend, we’ll also cover the theory of bodyboarding with opportunities for you to ask questions on any aspect you’d like to know more about. We’ll also cover topics such as safety, board types and surf forecasting.
Our theory sessions are friendly and relaxed and we want to help you gather as much bodyboarding knowledge as possible.
BY CAR
Newquay is a 15-minute drive from the A30, which links to the M5.
We’re based near Towan Beach. We’ll send you detailed information before your arrival including parking instructions and maps.
BY TRAIN
The railway station is in the town centre. If you’re travelling by train, we may be able to pick you up from the station (time dependent). Get in touch for more details.
BY AIR
We’re a 20-minute drive from the airport. You can fly into Newquay from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Dublin, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Flights are available from key European cities.
Cornwall – also known as ‘Kernow’ in its mother tongue – is a wild, rugged county located in the far south-western tip of England.
Apart from its world-class beaches, excellent variety of waves and high swell consistency, it boasts a unique culture, incredibly clean air and benefits from some of the best sun sets in the UK – it’s no wonder poets, authors and artists have been coming here for centuries!
Head back inland from Newquay’s beautiful beaches, bays and coves and you’ll find wilderness moorland, granite-topped hills, ancient stone structures and ubiquitous tin-mine pump houses; unmistakable silhouettes of its famous mining history.
Today, Cornwall’s main industry is tourism and there are a million and one things to do only a short distance from our base. Newquay is booming with independent shops and a great cafe culture – you are never far away from a flat white!
Why not turn your weekend into a week, and experience the thrill of coasteering, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding at our sister company, the Newquay Activity Centre. As a bodyboard weekender you’ll be entitled to discounted rates on any of their activities. Just one more reason to keep you smiling!
FOOD, DRINKS & SHOPPING
£12 – £15 for optional Saturday evening meal
TRANSPORT
We sometimes hit the road and go on surfari. We maximise sustainability by carpooling. Please contribute a pound or two to car parks and fuel if you share cars with another rider from the weekend.
EQUIPMENT HIRE
If you decide not to bring your own kit (or you don’t own it) to hire equipment for the weekend the prices are as follows;
Swim fins – £20 for 2 days
Board – £25 for 2 days
Wetsuit – £20 for 2 days
More equipment and hire periods are available, just add to checkout when you book your weekend.
Cornwall’s air and sea climate is the warmest in the UK. Thanks to both the jet stream in the atmosphere and the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean, Cornwall is blessed with a comparatively mild climate and temperate seas year-round.
With a long, intricate and varied coastline developing its own microclimate from one beach to the next, you’re in the most likely spot across the UK to be soaking up the rays as much as the waves, whatever season you decide to visit.
At the time of booking, you will receive an email listing all the kit you need for the Ladies bodyboard weekend.
Hire equipment is available, just add to checkout when you book your weekend.
