St Ives Surf School is highly regarded as one of the best places to learn to surf in Cornwall. Our diverse team of salt water specialists are very proud of the adventure playground they call home. At St Ives Surf School, we provide bespoke surf lessons and coaching, Paddleboarding tuition, sea kayaking tours and coasteering adventures as good as anywhere in the UK. All of our activities operate from our two beautiful beach locations in the heart of St Ives. Our aim is to provide an unforgettable ocean experience in a safe, fun and friendly environment.
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Our first love and most popular activity. We offer five different levels of surfing lessons. These range from total beginners catching their first waves in shallow water, through learning how to turn, and eventually, paddling out the back through bigger surf, catching unbroken green waves and trimming all the way to the beach. All of our surfing lessons take place from our HQ located on the idyllic shores of the perennially Blue Flag winning Porthmeor Beach. Read More.
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Paddleboarding is fantastic fun, easy to learn and a brilliant way to exercise the core muscles of the body. Our paddleboard lessons and guided tours run from our watersports centre on Porthminster Beach on the harbour side of St Ives town. The tranquil ocean and sheltered waters of St Ives Bay make the perfect environment for a paddleboarding experience you will never forget. Read More.
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Coasteering is the ultimate aquatic adventure and will introduce you to a hidden side of Cornwall that most people will never see. Our coasteering journey is a thrilling combination of traversing rocks, floating through gullies, sea swimming, exploring caves and negotiating rock jumps, and all takes place in a safe and fun environment under the guidance of highly trained and qualified professionals. Read More.
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Watching the world slide by from the vantage of a sea kayak, cruising offshore along Cornwall’s coastline, is one of life’s great pleasures. Our guided tours are a scenic trip around the shores of St Ives with an expert infused with local knowledge. Whether it be tales of local shipwrecks, pointing out an inquisitive Atlantic grey seal or leading you into a hidden sea cave, our guides can make this an unforgettable excursion for all ages. Read More.
Hire — We’ve got you covered
Our surf and watersports hire facilities are split between our two centres in St Ives. Porthmeor and Porthminster beaches are two very different, but equally beautiful slices of Cornish paradise. A vast range of surfboards, wetsuits and bodyboards are readily available from our surf HQ on Porthmeor beach, whereas all of your paddleboard and kayak needs are catered to at our flat water haven on Porthminster.
About us
We are a diverse team of salt water specialists with a deep love for what we do and where we do it. We aim to provide an unforgettable ocean experience in a safe, fun and friendly environment. We have been recognised as a ‘Centre of Excellence’ by surfing’s governing body, Surfing England. We work closely with environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage and are regional representatives in West Cornwall. For the last nine years we have proudly partnered with The Wave Project - a ground breaking surf therapy charity for young adults and children, who strive to change lives through surfing.
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“St Ives Surf School is incredible. The passion, commitment, energy, friendliness and dedication the whole team demonstrate each & every day is outstanding. They know their beaches inside out and can always find a wave that suits you.”
Hugo Tagholm, Surfers Against Sewage CEO
Shop
We have a lovely selection of garments and accessories to keep your stoke alive; even when a salty escape seems a long way away.
SAlt water retreat
Our Luxury Surf Retreats are the ultimate surfing and well-being experience in Cornwall. We tailor our bespoke packages to include absolutely everything including gourmet food, luxury lodges and sunrise yoga sessions.
Latest news
Stay in the loop and keep up to date on all things surf, sea and St Ives. Our team and friends share some of their best kept Cornish secrets and expert ocean knowledge.
Our local favourites
Need some ideas? Check out our top picks and things to do on a rest day. If you’re looking for something a little different, then here’s some inspiration to get you on your way.