Your Newquay team is made up of some of the best bodyboarders in the world, as well as some local legends! With decades of experience, all Bodyboard Holidays’ staff receive in-house training and are all qualified lifeguards – so you can be sure of being in safe hands for your entire trip.
Lisa is the best of the best when it comes to women’s bodyboarding. With Lisa as your coach extraordinaire, you’ll be in the hands of a legend, not only was she a European Bodyboarding Champion as she was also a world surf life-saving champion. As part of the Women + Waves and Bodyboard Holidays team, you’ll be in expert hands.
Iain Campbell is originally from the surf-rich shores of Durban, South Africa. He caught the bodyboarding bug early at age 10 and never looked back. By 11, he was competing and has since racked up two national titles and a dominating six national tour wins. Followed by a world title in 2017. A multi-talented athlete, Iain is able to share his expertise and passion in a way that makes those around him even better bodyboarders. From local waves to global glory, Iain’s journey is pure surf stoke.
Rob Barber is not only the founder of Bodyboard Holidays - he is also a former European and British Bodyboarding Number 1, after a remarkable 25-year career combined with his role as Head Coach for the UK Surfing & Bodyboarding team, he was inspired to create unique bodyboarding experiences for like-minded people and was one of the founders of Women and Waves.
What People Say
"An amazing week starting out on my Bodyboard journey. The instructors are at the top of their game but super patient and encouraging. They use their skills to explain technique as well as ensure a great time in the water. Lovely, supportive and encouraging group of women, who have been a privilege to get to know. I’ll be back!"
Nicola S
What People Say
"I am a really novice Bodyboarder but I thought it would be fun to learn in a group of women. It was a great holiday. North Cornwall is an iconic place to learn and the staff were friendly and approachable. Rob and Iain were so enthusiastic and great teachers. I’d highly recommend it!"
Jane S
We have two luxury apartments that we use for our Cornwall Retreats. They are both conveniently located within Newquay and have stunning sea views. You can walk to the beach from either, making free surf bodyboard sessions a breeze, or if you prefer to relax a little after your coaching there are numerous bars, restaurants and cafes handily located nearby.
Our first apartment overlooks Pentire Headland and benefits from plenty of natural light. This two-bedroom property is in one of the most peaceful spots in Newquay, just minutes from both Fistral and Crantock Beach. It’s also really close to the Gannel Estuary which is a stunning paddle boarding or swimming spot, and one of Newquay’s hidden gems. Even though it’s surrounded by nature, Sunset View Apartment is still close enough to Newquay Town Centre for a bite to eat in the evening, or a spot of retail therapy. It’s the best of both worlds.
Sunset View Apartment is all about the stunning ocean views. It has a spacious, open-plan kitchen diner with a Juliet balcony that enjoys morning sunshine. It’s a great kitchen to cook in, and if you want to knock up a post-surf feast you can enjoy it around the large communal dining table. The lounge comprises a sofa bed, a flat-screen TV and a south-facing balcony. Both bedrooms have a set of twin beds, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers, a bedside table and reading lights. One has an en-suite with a bath, shower and toilet. There is also a separate bathroom and WC.
The second is our Newquay Bay Apartment. This apartment is located above the Newquay Activity Centre HQ. It is a modern, quiet, two-bedroom property that was completely refurbished in 2021. There’s a lovely kitchen as well as a new bathroom with an enormous shower. The apartment is a short walk from Newquay Harbour where you’ll find one of our favourite wild swimming spots. Just a few steps in any direction, you’ll find an abundance of coffee shops, restaurants and surf shops – you’re right in the heart of it all.
The property comprises a spacious living room/diner complete with a sofa bed and a new 52” TV. There is a sizable dining table perfect for studying or hosting meals. The bedrooms are both twin rooms with zip-link beds; easily connectable for private or couple rooms. Both rooms have wardrobes, drawers, bedsides and reading lights. The living room benefits from large windows with excellent sea views. There is also a large courtyard, perfect for catching rays or drying wetsuits.
The coaching and video analysis you receive will put you in the best possible environment to get ahead and fast-track your learning and development. We personalise your tuition to ensure that whatever your ability level, you’ll have a clear path of progression throughout the week.
Your instructors will give on-land and in-water demonstrations, and break skills and sequences down, move-by-move, to help you finesse the delicate details of the sport.
Your coaches are all qualified lifeguards and will also at times surf alongside you to build your confidence, help you with wave selection, and give you pointers in the moment.
We’ll build up your water confidence and ocean safety over the week, with daily surf theory classroom lessons. You’ll come away well-informed on surf forecasting, hiring or purchasing the right equipment, understanding safety measures, surf etiquette, wave selection and bodyboarding-specific fitness.
At least 5-days of professional bodyboard coaching delivered by our local instructor team.
Small group sizes = personalised coaching and feedback.
Your expert team will assess conditions and locations every evening for the day ahead, to ensure you get the chance to surf the best available waves. We are experienced at forecasting and have knowledge of how this translates to the conditions on the beach, so we may change the session times or locations throughout the week, to ensure you get access to the best available waves that Cornwall has to offer each day.
Your instructors will give on-land and in-water demonstrations, and break skills and sequences down, move-by-move, to help you finesse the delicate details of the sport.
Every day your bodyboarding sessions will be filmed by a photographer on the beach or a member of the team in-water with the Go-Pro, and occasionally by both!
These photos and videos will be used for your personalised video analysis feedback sessions to fast-track progression. The opportunity to analyse footage of yourself is one of the most useful ways to learn, as it increases your self-awareness, and helps you visualise your own performance.
You’ll have access to all of these photographs and videos after the weekends via our easy-to-use online gallery.
Cornwall is the undisputed surf capital of the UK. You’ll experience the best of its amazing variety of spots – think golden beaches, beautiful waves and epic sunsets.
Perranporth
A gorgeous stretch of golden sands on Cornwall’s North Coast, Perranporth picks up loads of swell and has multiple peaks, so you can pick your own empty wedges to enjoy. Offshore on a SE wind like many of Cornwall’s north coast beaches, it’s a great place to pick an empty peak and stroke into some nice long walls.
Porthtowan
One of the premier beach breaks on the north coast, Porthtowan works throughout the tides, with a powerful low tide sandbar giving peeling tubes left and right. Located in a stunning stretch of coast famed for its tin mining, Porthtowan is a popular spot but has ample room on the pushing tide to bag some excellent waves to remember.
Tolcarne Wedge
One of the best wedges in the UK, Tolcarne is located in the middle of Newquay and stands up as a classic A-frame left which refracts off the cliff and fires riders down the line into advancing sections. A hugely fun ride from mid to high tide, it’s the premier place on the north coast to launch big manoeuvres and see dramatic improvements in your air game.
Towan Beach
The most sheltered of Newquay’s town beaches, Towan is the perfect spot when the unprotected west-facing beaches are big and blown out, still providing clean conditions.
The harbour at Towan provides fairly consistent lefts and is best at mid-tide on the push. A great place to head on a SW wind when everywhere else is too big.
Fistral Beach
The jewel in the crown of Cornwall’s surf scene, Fistral is a high-quality beach break providing excellent waves on an offshore SE wind. It works on all stages of the tide and offers multiple peaks. There’s a reason it’s the UK’s most famous surf beach!
Spot W
A hidden spot capable of giving some excellent left-handers, Spot W is tucked away and enjoys a decent swell and a S/SW wind.
Great Western Beach
The central beach of Newquay’s arsenal, located between Tolcarne and the more protected Towan, Great Western works best on a similar swell and can give consistent, clean conditions on a SW wind, working both lefts and rights. A great option when the bigger, more exposed beaches like Fistral are sizable and suffering in cross/onshore winds.
Porthmeor
Facing straight north, St Ives’ Porthmeor Beach enjoys slightly more protection from southwesterly winds, and can deliver some amazing waves, peeling left and right in front of its golden sands.
Gwithian, Godrevy
The famous 3-mile-long stretch of stunning beach curves around St Ives Bay on the north coast and gives plenty of room for beginner and intermediate riders to see huge gains in their riding.
Picks up a large amount of swell and can get extremely good with 150m+ long rides. A superb spot to watch the sun dip over the dunes after a fun evening session.
Praa Sands
The best beach break on the south coast, Praa Sands produces punchy top-to-bottom waves on a mid-high tide. Praa gives you good chances to tuck into some quality tubes and is offshore if the winds switch N/NE.
Porthleven
The ‘Main break’ is one of the best reef breaks in the UK. Porthleven is a top spot for those riders with more experience, who’d like to drop into some heavier waves.
The second reef, which is super popular with bodyboarders – offers smaller but bowlier waves in front of the famous harbour wall – Porthleven is revered and rightly so.
Sennen
Picking up the faintest ripple of swell in the North Atlantic, Britain’s most westerly mainland spots can get extremely good on a NE/E/SE wind and boast some of the clearest air and water you’ll find anywhere.
By Car
Newquay is a 15-minute drive from the A30, which links to the M5. Our weekends are usually based at Towan Beach. We’ll send you detailed information before your arrival, including parking instructions and maps.
By Train
The Newquay Railway Station is in the town centre, a short taxi ride to the accommodation.
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 also available from key European cities.
Food isn’t included in the cost of your retreat, however, our spacious apartments have wonderful self-catering facilities, so whether it’s a pre-surf breakfast or a hearty evening feast you’re cooking up, you have everything you need.
There are lots of restaurants and cafes in Newquay if you want to eat out, there are a range of budgets to suit, but most main meals will fall into the £12-15 range. We meet for a number of group evening meals, check the itinerary for further details.
Newquay has several large supermarkets within walking distance of the apartments.
Depending on the tides and our plan for the day, we will often meet for a morning coffee in one of the lovely local coffee shops before the day begins.
Bodyboarding can be physically demanding and it’s important to keep yourself fueled up, so we ask you to bring a packed lunch or snacks with you. We recommend fruit, nuts and other fibre-filled snacks to keep you energised for your ocean sessions.
Please note equipment is not included in the package price. Hire prices are below for the duration of the retreat:
Wetsuit – £70
Pro Bodyboard – £85
Bodyboard Fins – £40
Bodyboard socks – £35
Please let us know if you wish to hire equipment after booking.
Even though your schedule will be action-packed with bodyboarding activities, there will still be free time for you to enjoy the wealth of other activities Newquay and Cornwall has to offer. Please note that there is an additional charge for some of these activities:
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We can’t guarantee your place until we have received a payment from you.
Once you have made a payment, you’ll then be sent a trip confirmation email with all details on.
Yes definitely! We pride ourselves on being super welcoming and friendly. Most of our guests arrive solo and leave with a host of new bodyboarding buddies.
Due to this trip being in high demand and having limited spaces, we can only hold your space for up to 24 hours without payment.
You are welcome to attend for a shorter period to suit your personal schedule, however, the package price will remain the same.
Group booking discounts are available, please contact us for more information.
ASAP! These holidays fill up quickly and, with limited spaces available, sell out fast. We operate on a first come first serve basis. If you want to secure your place on the trip, it is advised that you pay as soon as you can.
If you are based outside of the UK and would like to book or chat through the holiday details, we can be contacted through our online chat or via email.
If you wish to bring a non-bodyboarding partner with you, please get in touch to discuss your options.
The holidays are all women of varying ages.
Yes, there is WiFi which is of a good standard for the area.
You’ll be asked to fill in an enrolment form as part of the booking process. You’ll state which level of bodyboarder you are. You may be in a different group suited to your ability, however, there will be plenty of time to see each other back at the accommodation and during our social evening meals.
We choose the time of year and location for our events based on local knowledge and historical swell data. In the event of flat waves or stormy conditions, we may move the coaching to The Wave in Bristol to guarantee waves that are appropriate for bodyboarding. There will be an additional fee to supplement the cost of this arrangement.
If a move to The Wave is not possible, we will offer alternative activities to help you get the most out of the ocean conditions. This may include Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP), Coasteering, Kayaking, or other coastal activities.
We may also adjust the format of the weekend. For example, choosing to run all of the sessions on Sunday if that’s when the waves are at their best.
Please visit our T&Cs for more information.
The area that we visit is blessed with constant surf, you can expect great conditions most days of the trip. To give you a clearer idea, the videos on this webpage were all filmed during previous bodyboard holiday trips.
We do not offer a discount for bringing your own equipment.
Remember to check the baggage size and weight allowance with your airline, as well as reading their guidance for carrying bodyboards. Baggage handlers can be unforgiving, so a tough bag and intelligent packing are a must.
Firstly, pack your board(s) in a protective, padded board bag, and write FRAGILE and TOP LOAD ONLY on it with a permanent marker. Make sure you wrap your towel and clothes around your board inside the bag for added protection. Place your shampoo and other wet toiletries in a separate sealed bag in case of leakage. We also recommend locking the zips on your bag with a padlock.
Please check international travel requirements for your nationality. Please contact your travel agent or airline if you are unsure or have any further questions.
If you are under 18, we will need to chat to you on the phone and you will need to be accompanied on the trip by a parent or guardian throughout the holiday. If you are 60 or over we’d love to chat with you about the trip before you book. Please contact us via our online chat.
On the day you travel please keep your mobile phone handy so we can stay in touch in case of delays and flight changes. Please inform us if you’re early or delayed for any reason.
If you need help booking your flight then just drop us a line or read our helpful blog post about booking flights.
If you can’t find our representative at the airport, stay there and wait, they won’t be far away. Our transfer representatives will have access to your arrival details. However, if you’re having difficulties finding them follow the instructions in your pre-arrival email. One of the team will locate you. Upon booking the trip the trip leader will share their direct mobile number so that you can contact them if you need them.
As with any holiday, full travel insurance is a requirement for all guests booking a trip with the company.
Please also ensure that your policy covers you for ‘disruption to travel’ and ‘cover for cancellations’ as standard.
For further help please read our helpful blog post about travel insurance.
You may need to add additional cover for surfing or bodyboarding, it is essential that your insurance policy covers you for all activities during your stay. Failure to take out travel insurance breaks the contract between Bodyboard Holidays and the client.
If you are joining one of our trips and you are native to the country of its location (i.e you live in Lisbon and are joining our Portugal trip) you do not need to take out medical travel insurance. This is as long as you have your own personal healthcare plan or are covered by your country’s National Health Service. However, we kindly request that you still take out trip disruption and cancellation insurance to cover all possible eventualities.
If your circumstances change and you can’t join the trip, please let us know as soon as possible via email. Your cancellation notice will start from the date we receive it.
Cancellation terms:
We hold part or full costs, depending on when you cancel:
Cancellation may fall under the terms and conditions of your holiday insurance policy and you may be able to claim.
Please take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions videos.
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