Best places to learn surfing in Wales

If you or your family want surfing lessons in the UK, the best place to start is at an approved surf school. Given the number of surf-friendly beaches in Wales, you're sure to find a perfect spot with a local expert offering lessons. There, you'll learn the basics about boarding and how to stay safe in the sea before giving it a go.

The Gower Peninsula was Britain’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - and also a great place to learn to surf because of the lack of crowds. Typical surf locations like Cornwall may be a rough-and-tumble of experts and learners, which can make tempers flare and beaches busy. Gower receives the same swell, better shelter from wind and has breaks for all surfers – old and young, beginner and pro – so everyone is more laidback.

Pro surf tips:

• Caswell Bay is perfect for juniors: the car park is close, there are lifeguards and the water’s clean.
• Go south for sheltered dribbly beginners’ waves at Rhossili Bay. Shift towards Llangennith if the surf’s small.

Search for surf schools near Gower.

It pays dividends to travel that bit further to get to Pembrokeshire. Because of the way that Britain’s only coastal national park wraps around the peninsula, it guarantees clean gentle waves whatever the weather. Also, because it’s an extra hour beyond Swansea, the beautiful beaches are quieter – ideal for beginners.

Pro surf tips:

• Freshwater West is an unspoilt beach that picks up all the swell, though its large waves are dangerous for beginners.
• Manorbier is amazing – it has a fantastic castle as the backdrop and suits everyone from beginners to advanced surfers.
• Newgale is good for children, and there is fantastic shelter in St Bride’s Bay.

Find out more about surf lessons in Pembrokeshire for some expert tuition in the area.

With a friendly Welsh welcome and easy access off the M4, Porthcawl is the main surfing hub in South Wales. There are several beaches to choose from, making the most of the wide tidal range.

Pro surf tips:

• Blue Flag Rest Bay is the best spot for beginners. The Rest Bay Watersports Centre has a surf school, café and decent facilities overlooking the bay.

Find out more about surfing in Porthcawl.

Cardigan Bay has several flat, sandy, sheltered beaches with mellow waves suitable for beginners. However, the south-westerly prevailing winds, combined with strong tides, can also produce some of the biggest surf waves along the west coast. Watch out for the resident dolphins and porpoises playing in the sea.

Pro surf tips:

• Borth Beach is known for having fairly consistent surf, which is great for beginners looking to catch regular waves.
• Head to Aberporth's two sandy family-friendly beaches for gentle waves.

Find providers offering surfing lessons in Ceredigion.

The Welsh coast can be fantastic fun and provides great opportunities for adventurous activities, but please read up on the risks and make sure you are prepared.

• Follow these tips from the RNLI for staying safe on the Welsh coast.
• Visit AdventureSmart.uk for further information on how to stay safe whilst exploring Wales.