Our Surf Sistas Surf & Yoga Weekend Retreats are great for all surfing abilities, so its the perfect choice if you are coming with a friend or partner and you are at different stages of your surfing journey but would like a shared experience. Our coaching sessions are divided into small groups tailored to your level and our maximum 1:4 coaching ratio (standard surf schools are 1:8) means that we can really focus in on your surfing goals and help you progress quickly, wether these are your first waves or you are a seasoned surfer.

Choose a Surf & Yoga weekend if you are looking for an easy and fun escape to the coast as a solo traveller, you want to learn to surf in a supportive and friendly environment, you would like to meet some like-minded women or just experience a beautiful part of the UK for the weekend. With great waves on the doorstep, a beautiful 4 star hotel by the beach, attentive surf coaching, and even the option of a ride to/from London, all you need to do is block of a weekend in your diary, book your spot and let us take care of the rest!

If you have a bit more time to spare and are keen to progress your surfing quickly then check out our 4 day Beginner Surf Courses, which run Monday to Friday with Wednesday off for a chance to rest, recover and explore this wonderful corner of Cornwall! Why not take a hike along the stunning wild north cornwall cliffs, take a dip in a quiet cove (we will share our fave swim spots with you), stand up paddleboard or kayak along the Gannel river, hang out in Newquay’s much loved eateries, head to a beachside sauna or treat yourself with a session at one of the local luxury spas.

To keep our weekly courses as inclusive as possible we don’t include accommodation so that you can pick the option that is best for your budget. Drop us an email and we will send you the password to our online list of recommended hotels, airbnb apartments & rooms, B&Bs, hostels, surf lodges & campsites.

Find out more about our 4 day beginner courses and reserve your Early Bird Discount here

Our popular White to Green Improver Course is moving into its 14th year and shows no signs of slowing down. We designed this course as a stepping stone for women who have covered the basics in the white water, have maybe got into a bit of a rut there (or have found themselves back in the white water because surf progression is not always linear!) and want to gain the confidence and techniques to consistently paddle out and catch green waves.

Its a great opportunity to invest some quality time in your surfing progression, if you have been feeling stuck, have lost your mojo or lost confidence this is the perfect course for you! Read more about the course and snap up a £100 Early bird discount here for a limited time only!

Not sure which Surf Sistas Course or experience is right for you? Check out our guide here or drop us an email and we can help you decide.

Quality and Variety of Surf

The HQ for our surf courses is Fistral beach in Newquay, one of the most consistent beach breaks in Cornwall. Working at all tides and holding a variety of wave sizes from ankle grazers to overhead sets. We love surfing here but also are blessed to mix up the surf spots heading to nearby Watergate, Crantock or Perranporth for a change of scene. All have their own wave characteristics and are within a 15 minute reach of Newquay. But if you want to spread your wings beyond the realms of Newquay, Cornwall’s 300 beaches in all different shapes and sizes, will give you all the different flavours of surfing. You can surf here year round and we can guarantee there’s almost always somewhere working.

The Cornwall Food Scene

Delicious nourishment is a must when on a surf trip, we need good quality food to fuel us and Cornwall delivers on all fronts. I would describe Cornwall as having a contemporary cafe culture, providing delectable modern style brunch menus accompanied by high quality coffee. Seriously, the coffee you get in Cornwall matches the best London outlet. We’re home to many small independent cafes.

As far as evening dining goes there’s a lot to choose from. Newquay has a mixture of great cuisines from Gilmore’s Mexican to the famous Lewinnick Lodge. Falmouth town on the south coast is renowned for it’s selection of charming waterside pubs that compliments is rich music scene. St Ives and Padstow is where you’ll find sea inspired gastro-pubs. We’ve even collated a comprehensive list of our favourite cafe’s, restaurants and bars in Newquay, should you find yourself in the area and in need of recommendations. 

Accessible lifeguarded beaches

Most of the beaches in Cornwall have nearby parking areas making it easy for you to rock up, slide into your wetsuit and straight in the surf. There can be nothing more frustrating than hunting down a parking spot when the surf is pumping! Between September and April, a lot of the street parking changes to unlimited stay. Bonus! That means you can spend all the time you wish in the sea without fear of a parking fine. 

We’re also lucky that most of our surf beaches in Cornwall are patrolled by RNLI lifeguards between May and September. If you join us on a course, you’ll be coached by wonderful women who are all qualified surf lifesavers on lifeguarded beaches.

If you’re heading for a surf, check out here which beaches are lifeguarded. We’d also recommend reading the RNLI’s beach safety guide. If you still feel unsure about surfing out of the lifeguarding season in the winter you can book in with us for a Private Lesson and we can take you to the best spot and help you improve your surfing! Drop us a message for more information.

Easy to travel to

Whilst on a map Cornwall looks quite isolated, the transport links making it easy for you to hop down for a weekday or weekend surf course. Newquay Airport connects to Manchester, London Gatwick, Edinburgh and Belfast amongst other destinations, giving you easy access from anywhere in the UK. There’s also a direct trainline running from London Paddington to Penzance (in the south of Cornwall) stopping at multiple locations. By car or bus you can drop down easily off the M5 onto the A30 and cruise straight into Cornwall. 

A lower carbon footprint for travel

In light of the recent COP27 summit and the pressure to keep global below 1.5 degrees, many of us are limiting flights to reduce our carbon footprint. If you’re UK based you may consider going for a holiday at home using car or public transport instead of hopping on a plane to get to your surf destination. As mentioned, Cornwall is very well connected and accessible!

The Cornish Microclimate

With the highest average annual temperatures thanks to it’s oceanic climate, Cornwall is the place you want to be year round when it comes to weather. The summers are usually a degree a two cooler than the rest of England. With climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, Cornish summers are a heavenly. Who wouldn’t want infinite opportunities for ocean dips in the summer heat? Cornwall also averages a couple of degrees warmer in winter and thanks to the Gulf Stream the sea is reasonably warm year round – get yourself down here!

Year round surfing

Surfing doesn’t stop when the summer season comes to an end! You’ll get waves in Cornwall all year round! From having surfed in Devon, Cornwall and Wales, I can safely say that Cornwall has delivered me the most consistent surf. The summer plays host to mainly soft longboarding waves whereas winter brings in bigger swells opening chances to score bigger surf which can be very fun! If you’re not a fan of big waves, no problem, there are many sheltered spots (which get smaller waves) in Cornwall that you can head to during the winter if you want to head down for a surf. The bay in Newquay being one of them. If you need a little more convincing then check out our blog on Thriving in Winter Surf for practical tips to make the most of winter surfing. 

Endless flat spell activities

On the days when there’s no swell or those storms set in there are endless activities to enjoy. The South West Coast Path tracks the entirety of the aforementioned 250 miles of coastlines, so you can enjoy a hike along the undulating cliffs and watch the ocean from a different perspective. There’s also the rugged moorlands of Bodmin Moor and West Penwith if you’re looking for some elevation to your walks. 

If you’re craving the sanctity of the ocean, then wild swimming might be for you. Cornwall hosts an array of tidal pools, sheltered coastal spots and stretches of tranquil water, making it a top destination for swimming alongside surfing. You can discover more at Wild Swimming Cornwall or if you fancy a swimming focussed getaway to boost your confidence then check out our Swim Sistas Wild Swimming Retreats. 

There are so many reasons why we love Cornwall, not just the consistent waves. If you’re looking for a getaway with surf, cultural enrichment, fantastic music and good food then we can think of nowhere else to be! Join us in 2024!

Hold onto that Summer feeling for as long as possible with a surf trip with Surf Sistas in beautiful Newquay, Cornwall. 

Here are our top reasons why there’s no better time of year than September to come on a surf retreat with us:

1. Warm Waters

September? Feels like Soup-tember!

September is the time of year when the sea is at its warmest. The ocean warms up and cools down with a delay of a couple months either side of the air temperatures, meaning that the sea in Newquay is a balmy 19 degrees. Our sea temperatures drop to their lowest in March, during which they sit as low as 8 or 9 degrees. This means if you’re savvy enough to come on a surf course or retreat in early Autumn, you’ll find that the sea is a whole ten degrees warmer than a trip in early Spring. For those of you who learnt to surf in a warmer climate and might be feeling nervous about your first dip into Cornish waters, September is your safest bet.

2. Quiet beaches mean a higher wave count

The beginning of September marks the start of term-time and with it, the end of the school holidays. When the crowds thin and the swell builds, what’s left behind is every surfer’s dream – an uncrowded line-up.

3. More Consistent Waves

The best waves are created by storms far out at sea, rather than local winds (as you’ll find out in our epic Surf Sistas theory sessions, if you book onto our White to Green course!)

The further that the energy generated by these storms travels to get here, the more it builds in strength and power before hitting our shores. In September, more of these storms occur out in the Atlantic. September is known in the U.S. as hurricane season, which is likely to generate large ripples of energy moving across the ocean. As these ripples get further apart, they increase what we measure as “swell period” – meaning a higher quality ground-swell generating powerful waves to surf, instead of local wind-swell. 

4. Good Weather

In recent years, we’ve been treated to an “Indian Summer” of warm weather lasting well into September. Last year, we had glorious warm sunshine, with a mini-heatwave hitting us in mid-late September. With the British weather as unpredictable as it is, we’d say September is just as good a bet for sunshine as the Summer months – but without the crowds!

5. Seasonal Deals

With less competition for accommodation, cheaper deals can be found online out of peak season, bringing the overall cost of your Surf Sistas course down. In September you’ll have more options to choose from and can score some gorgeous rentals for a cheaper price. Not only this, but there’ll be less traffic on the roads and local restaurants will be emptier, meaning savings in time spent on the motorway or in those Summer queues.

Drop us a line if you are thinking of joining one of our courses that doesn’t include accommodation and we can send you a list of great options for all budgets!

6. September Events

Pair your Surf Sistas trip with one of the awesome events that Cornwall has to offer in September – with music, food and drink events to fill your evenings or be the perfect book-end to a week of surfing. Fun events coming up in Cornwall in September include:

– Bedruthan Live (2nd Sept)
– Cornish Cyder & Music Festival (8th-10th Sept)
– St. Ives September Festival (venues around St Ives from 9th-23rd September)
– Newquay Beer festival (22nd-24th Sept)

And many more! Check out https://www.visitcornwall.com/whats-on

7. The timing is perfect to begin your surfing journey for the rest of the year

Set yourself up right for the beginning of Autumn/Winter, so you can continue your surfing journey over the months with the most consistent swell. On our September courses, you will make new friends that you can lift-share to the beach with, build your confidence and learn everything you need to continue surfing throughout the Autumn, Winter and Spring. By the time next Summer arrives, you’ll be ready to show off your surfing skills to all those fair-weather Summer surfers!

You can join us in Cornwall this September for intensive 4 day Beginner Courses, Intensive 5 day Improver courses, Progressor Weekends and Surf & Yoga Weekends.

I got into Bellyboarding for the first time last year, despite having spent 6 years already in the sea surfing. Here’s how it went.

It all started with a sprained shoulder… 

I was having a good ol’ boogie at my friends’ wedding when out of nowhere, my friend Russell runs towards me and launches me in the air. It all turns on it’s head as Russell had had one too many drinks and lost his balance, He dropped me and I toppled head first to the floor.

It was confirmed at the physio two days later. A shoulder sprain and out of action for 6-8 weeks. That meant no surfing. When I looked at Magicseaweed (RIP Magciseaweed) following the appointment (why did I even do that) and saw the epic forecast for the week ahead, my frustration levels rocketed off the scale.

After a few weeks of sulking on the cliffs watching the waves, a solution to my woes presented itself. Hey Jeff, “A crew of us are heading for a belly board in the bay – you want to come?” My housemate Nash, ultimate surf legend, worked locally for a belly board company.

As bellyboarding required mostly leg action from kicking into waves, I knew my shoulder would be protected. The first set came in. “Jeff, this ones for you” shouted Candace, calling me into the wave. I mimicked what I’d see the rest of them do and held the board in front of me, kicking frantically with my little legs. As I felt the wave picking me up, I scooted my tummy onto the top and prepared for the drop. 

Squeals and hoots radiated from my mouth. It honestly felt like one of the rides at Thorpe Park when you go over the top and take a vertical drop. I plummeted down the face of the wave, head first at rocket speed (at least it felt like it). In my peripherals, I could see the wave mounting over me, it felt invigorating and I honestly thought I’d get a tube, on the inside, I could see Nashi grinning at me. When I came off the back it was all grins and laughter… Belly boarding is the best!!

Whilst I’m still an avid surfer and nothing can replace that, I’ll score a few bellyboard sessions a month when the surf is funky or I’m in a funk with surfing. If you’re not tried it before but are intrigued, here’s a 6 reasons why Bellyboarding could be the one for you. 

What is bellyboarding exactly?

Bellyboarding has a rich history, actually being the first form of surfing. Natives of the ancient Hawaiian and Polynesian Islands would ride in “prone” (lying down) position on short wooden boards called Paipo’s. This later evolved into what we know as surfing today when the Alaia board was invented; a longer version of the paipo. It has gone through phases of popularity in the UK since the 1900s. In the last few years we have seen the resurgence of bellyboarding – especially as a more sustainable alternative to mass manufactured polystyrene bodyboards that cause significant ocean plastic pollution. Bellyboarding involves riding waves on plywood wooden boards on your tummy. You can enjoy this in both whitewater and green waves. 

Why should you try it….

1. For when the surf is funky…

When those onshore winds set in and the surf gets a bit lumpy and uninviting, it could be worth getting the belly board out. I’ve had countless fun sessions during an onshore low tide where the waves feel too wobbly for a surf. 

2. …..Or when you’re in a funk with surfing

Sometimes we get into a rut with our surfing. These times do pass. But instead of putting fuel on the fire by pushing yourself through frustrating times it could be worth taking a step back and enjoying the sea in a different way. Introducing: the humble belly board! It may look small but taking out the bellyboard to snag a few waves takes the pressure of trying to perform in the surf. 

3. When you can’t paddle anymore but want to get in the sea

Paddle paddle paddle. Unsurprisingly, about 50% of our time during a surf is spent paddling and about 3% wave riding! No wonder at the end of a good spell of waves, our shoulders are done for. When the muscle ache sets in but the surf is still on, consider a circuit brake and grab the bellyboard. It’s a great leg workout!

4. Overcoming fears of steep take offs

One of the best things that came out of bellyboarding was overcoming my fear of steep drops. You see the wave behind you and start the paddle. As it picks you up, you look down the steep  drop and you pull out in the fear of nosediving. The belly board simplifies things. You can forget about the pop and potential of nosediving and focus on acclimatizing to those take-offs. Taking on big waves on a belly board gave me leaps of confidence with my surfing take-off. 

5. It’s utterly hilarious

Bellyboarding consists of beaming grins and belly laughter.. Belly boarding removes some of the pressure we surfers put on ourselves to score good waves with style and technique. You can focus on having a good time in the water with friends. Just make sure you don’t get ridden over by a surfboard.

6. A sustainable alternative to a bodyboard

Bellyboards have traditionally been made of plywood and still are to this day. It’s estimated that 16,000 polystyrene foam body boards are discarded on UK beaches each year. Swapping for a wooden belly board will prevent further plastic pollution. Our favourite belly boards brand are local legends Dick Pearce, Potbellyboards and the talented Guy Butcher of Butch Boards. 

Tips for bellyboarding safely

Now you’re convinced that belly boarding is worth a go, here are some handy hints for doing it safely.

Stay within your comfort zone

If you’re unconfident in the sea then standing in waist to chest water, you will still score you epic belly boarding opportunities. If you want to ride the green waves, a pair of swim fins will give you the extra added propulsion to take off. I much prefer having my fins on for peace of mind. 

Go between the flags at a lifeguarded beach

The red & yellow flags is the place for bellyboarding. You’ll be away from the surfers and less likely to be hit by a surfboard. The flags also map out the safest parts of the beach away from rocks and strong currents.

Know the beach hazards

We always recommend swimming between the red and yellows. But it’s still important to know the beach hazards, especially if you’re in the sea out of lifeguarded hours. Look out for rip currents (read the RNLI’s explanation here), rocks and strong offshore winds. The best thing is to check the surf report before you head to the beach and check the beach at low tide. This is when most of the hazards are exposed. If you’re unsure don’t go in. 

Wear a pair of swim fins and a wetsuit

Swim fins with give you extra propulsion for maximum wave catching but also with help you to swim in and out of the sea more easily. I love Da Fin’s which fit really well and are made of Silicon (not plastic which is more likely to break and worse for the environment)

As a general rule a 4mm wetsuit is a good go-to for bellyboarding most of the year round. You can wear a 4mm suit from early April/May through to November. However if you’re surfing in the summer months into autumn (June-October) when the water is warmest, a 3mm suit will suit you well. For the hardy surfers heading into winter surfing, November-April is the time to pull out a thicker 5mm suit. 

Watch out for surfers!

Communicate! Don’t be afraid to call when you’re taking a wave or making a noise if you think a surfer could be close to hitting you. You might also want to consider wearing a helmet for extra precaution. In whatever situation you find yourself in, make sure you protect your head as a priority. 

We’re big fans of bellyboards at Surf Sistas. During our courses, there’s the opportunity to get the bellyboards out for a session if you feel like you want a break from surfing! Join us on a Cornwall course in 2023 for a good old giggle in the waves. 

But that doesn’t mean that learning to surf in your 30’s is impossible. Or that you should have started in your teens or 20’s to get to a good level of surfing. And one of our surf instructors is actual proof of that!

We caught up with Surf Sistas coach Kirsty, who learnt to surf in her 30’s and smashed through several barriers along the way to becoming a qualified surf instructor! Over to you Kirsty!

It all started with a bucket list….

Growing up and living in the landlocked West Midlands I had zero exposure to the sea. My mum couldn’t swim and while I had lessons at school, I was never a strong swimmer. I pretty much hated sports at school, preferring dancing instead. 

Up until the day of my first surf lesson, I’d never been in the sea. Like, not even for a splash around.

But something about surfing and the surf lifestyle appealed to me. So, during a holiday to Cornwall I added ‘learn to surf’ to my bucket list, just to say I’d done it.

I just didn’t realise at the time how much of an impact that lesson would make and that it would literally alter the course of the rest of my life. I hate sounding dramatic, but if I look back at how different my life looked before surfing, I still can’t believe how much life has changed since I started surfing. 

My first surf lesson

So at age 33, I booked a lesson and tried to forget that I was actually scared of the sea. But when the day arrived, the instructors put me at ease so much and I was concentrating so hard on what to do that all those worries disappeared. And staying in waist high water and being able to touch the bottom meant I never felt out of my depth.

I still remember the first wave I caught, got to my feet and rode into the beach. It felt like flying and I was instantly hooked.

Becoming a landlocked surfer

Living in Wolverhampton in the UK isn’t exactly an ideal place for getting to the beach. So for 3 years after that surf lesson, I kind of forgot about surfing and figured it was something I might do occasionally on holiday. 

Until a chance conversation with a friend one night who’d tried surfing once and wanted to do it again. He suggested going to North Devon. And while me and my husband figured we’d make a weekend of it, our friend suggested a day trip. We thought he was crazy, but the following weekend, he picked us up at 5.30am and drove 200 miles from our house to Croyde where we rented boards and wetsuits and had a brilliant time.

And that’s how I became a landlocked surfer. We did crazy day trips as often as we could and holidays in the UK centred around Cornwall and Devon. I had occasional refresher lessons and learnt to lower my expectations. Although I’d stood up on my first lesson, it took months of doing those day trips to be able to stand up on a board again.

With inconsistent opportunities to surf, progress was a lot slower and sometimes it felt like taking 1 step forward and 2 steps back again.

It was frustrating, but I did everything I could to help myself in between surf trips. Doing surf specific exercises in the gym, improving my general fitness and practising my pop-up on dry land.

And that was fine for a while, until the pull to be nearer to the sea and surf more often became so strong for both me and my husband that eventually it reached a tipping point.

We love her laid back longboard style. Just cruising.

Moving to Cornwall

Disillusioned with city life, the 9-5 grind and feeling like we were in the rat race, we sold our house, packed up our lives and started over in Cornwall. 

Within months I connected with other female surfers, joined a female only surf club and got in the water as often as I could. I’d picked up a few bad habits with my surfing that I wanted to iron out and I can still remember swallowing my pride and spending months in the whitewater re-learning my pop-up which was slowing me down when it came to surfing unbroken waves. It was one of the best pieces of advice that a surf coach gave me.

All that work paid off and once I felt confident that I’d broken the habit of going to my knees, I started surfing out back on small 1-2ft days and slowly going out when it was a bit bigger.

Goal setting and taking it too seriously

I’d seen a picture of someone surfing shoulder high waves and making it look so effortless so I set myself the goal of being able to do that consistently. I had to push myself outside my comfort zone but with some coaching along the way, improved fitness thanks to all the surfing which increased my confidence, I reached my goal. And then I immediately moved the goalposts and set myself more surf goals than I care to mention.

That’s when I started to take surfing way too seriously. I wanted to prove that I could be good at it, because we all want to be good at something, right? But why I decided I wanted to be ‘good’ at one of the hardest ‘sports’ to learn I’ll never know. 

I guess at the end of the day, I love pushing myself outside my comfort zone.

But by taking it too seriously, I forgot how to have fun and while my surfing improved in some areas, I felt rigid and looked wooden in my stance because I wasn’t relaxed. I’d cry with frustration, threaten to give up surfing when a surf didn’t go my way and set my expectations way too high. 

Then I watched a documentary on Stephanie Gilmore, 8 x women’s world champion. She’d always wanted to be the best surfer in the world but in the film, she ponders why and says ‘you don’t get super powers from being the best surfer in the world.’

And that really made me stop and think, and remind myself that I never got into surfing to get ‘good’ at it. I just wanted to feel that incredible feeling of riding waves and have fun along the way.

And what actually is ‘good’ anyway? When I stopped and thought about it, I realised everyone’s interpretation of being a good surfer differs. And besides, what does it even matter? It’s all about how it makes you feel and not a measure of success.

Kirsty finding calm in the sea

Finding peace

For a couple of years I had to really work on my mindset and as I let go of all those expectations and limiting beliefs, my surf stance loosened up, I started to relax and have fun again. And as a result, I found true peace with where I’m at with my surfing. 

I don’t have to prove to anyone that I can surf and I no longer set unrealistic expectations. I don’t even set goals anymore. I surf purely to enjoy the feeling. I no longer give myself a hard time for not surfing (that was exhausting!) and if it’s too big for me, I’m no longer pushing myself to try and break past that next barrier.

I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, and if you’d told me in my 20’s that I’d become a surfer, I’d have laughed and wouldn’t have believed you!

Qualifying as a surf instructor

But there was one more thing that I wanted to achieve. I benefited so much from surf coaching and felt I had a lot to give, especially to other women who learn to surf in their 30s or later in life, or who are landlocked and can’t surf very often.

I wanted to share my experiences of learning to surf and overcoming some of the barriers I faced. So I decided to become a surf instructor.

There was only one tiny barrier that stood in my way. My swimming.

Remember me telling you that I was never a strong swimmer? No-one had ever taught me how to swim front crawl properly. I mean full head down, goggles on and breathing to the side. And for my qualification I needed to do a timed swim as part of my lifeguard qualification.

So I got some swim coaching and spent months in the pool, working on my technique and getting progressively quicker at reaching the time needed to pass the course.

And all that swim training has paid off in other ways. I now swim in the sea beyond the breaking waves without the comfort of a surfboard. It’s improved my sea and surf confidence, and I’ve discovered a love of swimming that I never thought I’d ever have. 

Life really does begin at the end of your comfort zone and I’ve got surfing to thank for completely changing my life. I’ve gained so much from surfing – a new home, lifestyle, travels, new skills, friends, and a new career!

So if you’re sitting there thinking that you’re too old, not sporty enough, or you live too far away from the beach to be a surfer, I’m proof that age is completely irrelevant. 

And if that’s not enough proof for you, just take a look at local Newquay surf legend Gwyn Haslock. When you find out how old she is, you’ll never see age as a barrier to surfing again!

Kirsty’s energy, positivity and support is why we love coaching with her! Epic celebrations!

Kirsty’s tips for learning to surf in your 30’s

Just do it!

Without sounding like a walking poster child for Nike, don’t let barriers stand in your way. Because when you break those barriers down, they’re probably just your inner voice trying to tell you that you can’t do it. 

You can!

Have surf lessons or join a surf course

Surfing’s more than just standing on a board and riding waves. Sure, you need to know how to do that, but you also need to know about the sea, the beach and how to stay safe, especially if you don’t live by the coast or you’re not familiar with things like tides, waves and currents.

If I didn’t have lessons I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today. (check out Surf Sistas range of courses here!)

Set realistic expectations

Not everyone stands up straight away, and that’s ok. 

Surfing is unlike anything else you’ve probably tried, unless you’re into snowboarding, so be prepared to fall over and over again. It’s all part of the process and even competitive surfers fall off waves all the time. 

Your aim should be to just have fun!

Be prepared for a potentially life changing experience

Because learning to surf in your 30’s could send you on a path you never thought was possible!

We’re lucky to have Kirsty as part of our team of coaches in Cornwall this summer. If you’re looking for a surf course this summer check out our range of courses here!

Our White to Green Weeks are our flagship courses and arguably the most popular. They’re designed for those of you who have played in the white water and are looking to dabble first time amongst those green waves. In this course we cover reading green waves, techniques for paddling out back, how to position and catch green waves and much more!

This snapshot week was the first week back for our Surf Sistas Cornwall Courses & Retreats for 2023 and coached a group of 10 woman from the UK and overseas. It was a lovely time and we had a good giggle throughout. We were blessed with fun sized waves throughout the week. Not too big and not too small – perfect for learning to paddle out back and catch green waves on – which everyone managed successfully!

On the last morning we headed a little further out of Newquay for a dawnie! The light was illuminating, the water glassy and the waves completely empty! Here’s a snapshot of those wonderful conditions and all the wonderful surfing these women achieved.

We’ve got lots of dates in the Calendar for White to Green Courses this summer:

12-16 June
26-30 June
10-14 July
17-21 July
24-28 July
14-18 August
21-25 August
4-8 September

For full info and to bag your spot click here!

Back in the day, surfers would take the sea in their swimmers, catching waves until they turned blue! Luckily for us lot, wetsuit technology has advanced dramatically in the last few decades, giving us a great deal of choice when it comes to wetsuits.

However with choice of wetsuits, comes more jargon and more confusion.

Which wetsuit? What is technobutter? Which thickness? Built in hood? Limestone neoprene? Yulex? And what even is an insulated firewall?

We’ve simplified it. Wetsuits came into being to keep us warm. Being warmer means more time in the sea doing what we love – SURFING! So in this blog we’ve given the lowdown on what thickness wetsuit you need based on the water temperature and time of year. We’ve also stuck in a few handy tips for buying the right wetsuit.

What does the thickness mean?

It’s not uncommon to hear surfers chatting about their wetsuit thickness amongst other surf related surf small talk in the line-up; “Are you in your 4 3 today?” “Nah it’s balmy in here mate, got the 3 2 on!“

To someone not well versed with surf jargon (consider yourself lucky in some respects) this can be confusing as to what these numbers mean. What is the difference between a 4 3 wetsuit and a 3 2 wetsuit?

These numbers measure the thickness of wetsuits in mm. There are two numbers as some parts of the wetsuit are thicker than others. In the example of a 4/3mm wetsuit, the thicker parts will be 4mm and cover your organs and torso whilst the 3mm parts will be the arms and legs giving better flexibility for all those wonderful surf manoeuvres .

Wetsuits can range from 7mm thick (mostly for divers) to 1mm Springsuits (Springsuits are shorty neoprene suits). The most common wetsuits people use in the UK and the ones you’ll want to consider buying are 5/3mm, a 4/3mm or 3/2mm thick.

Which thickness wetsuit do I need for a given time of year?

These are the average water temperatures for Cornwall! If you spend most of your time surfing in other parts of the UK, check the water temperature in the local area. The NE of England is a lot colder than Cornwall for example.

January – March

During these winter months, the water temperature in Cornwall drops to its coldest, ranging from around 7-10°C.

You’ll need a minimum 5/3mm hooded wetsuit plus boots and gloves (particularly if your fingers get cold easily).

Trust me when I say you’ll need a hood! Brain freeze happens from surfing, not just downing your ice cream too fast.

If you cant get hold of a hooded wetsuit, you can buy a separate hood to wear. This can be good if you want to wear your winter suit further into spring. Having the hood down can sometimes cause more flushing.

April – June

As spring arrives, the water temperature starts to increase, but it’s still cold relative to the air temp. (the sea takes a little longer to warm up.

The sea temperature ranges from around 10-14°C.

For surfing, a 4/3mm wetsuit or a 3/2mm wetsuit is great! And into April and even early May you still might want to opt for boots. So if you’re joining a Surf Sistas course in May, we recommend getting yourself a pair of boots.

Feel the cold? April you may still be in your 5/3mm.

July – September

The last few summers in Cornwall have been extremely hot and dry, making the water all the more inviting for a dip to cool off.

The water temperature in Cornwall can reach up to 18-20°C, so a 3/2mm wetsuit will prevent you melting.

On the warmest of days you may even want to surf in a Springsuit (neoprene swimsuit) or a Long John (sleeveless wetsuit) but if you’re joining us on a course, we recommend a 3/2mm as you’ll be in the water for 2 hours at a time.

Long johns, surf leggings and Springsuits are also a wonderful choice if you decide to join us on one of our global surf retreats in the tropics!

October – December

Autumn brings the start of dropping temperatures. The water is still pretty warm at this time into October, however it’s the windchill that will get you.

The water temperature ranges from 10-14°C.

Time to dust of the 4/3mm wetsuit or 5/3mm wetsuit . And it’ll also be time to whack the boots and gloves back on.

How do I choose a wetsuit thickness?

So you’ve got an idea of the recommended thickness suits for the water temperature, but the wetsuit(s) you decide to buy can depend on a couple of things

How much do you feel the cold?

If you’re someone that clads yourself in a Michelin man insulated jacket, even in mildly cold weather, you might want to consider a thicker wetsuit than the standard recommendations. It’s no fun being cold in the ocean and can put a lot of us off surfing, especially in winter.

Don’t forget boots, a hood and gloves. Absolutely crucial – these are the places you feel the cold first.

And if you need more tips for coldwater surfing – read this blog.

What’s your budget?

If you’re a little tight on cash and can only afford one wetsuit, you want to be getting a suit that you can wear for the maximum amount of time. A 4/3mm suit is good choice. You can get away with it for the spring and summer and come winter you can wear a thermal rashvest and hood for an extra layer of warmth.

Having said that, a lot of companies do now offer a wider range or wetsuits with some pretty good budget wetsuits that still provide the flexibility. You can also look for second hand ones – there’s a Facebook group for this!

How often are you going to surf?

Be honest with yourself. If you’re a busy bee living away from the sea or a beginner surfer, start off with one wetsuit instead of buying the all the gear.

Are you going to be surfing all year round?

Another be honest with yourself situation. Be realistic about how likely you are to get in when it’s cold. Many of us hardy surfers still trade in a coldwater surf for a land based activity in winter. I tend to surf a little less in winter. But having said that, the cold should not be a barrier to getting in.

If you are keen to keep up surfing year round (consistency is key to progression) then having the right gear is important. And finally the wetsuit industry has cottoned on the fact that women do want to surf in winter and have started making the hooded wetsuits for us! Hooray!

If this is the case, get a 5/3 (or 5/4) for winter and a 3/2 for summer.

Buying the right fit wetsuit

If your wetsuit doesn’t fit properly, then it’s not gonna provide you with the much warmth as you’ll soon feel the cold flush of water down your neck.

Keep it on the snug side.

It’s not meant to be easy getting a wetsuit on, although you’ll get used to it the more you wear one. You want your wetsuit to feel slightly tight, especially a new one as they do stretch with time.

Particular under the arms and across the lower back you want it to be snug. It should also we well fitted around your neck, wrists and ankles to avoid flushing. If you have lots of rolls on your arms and legs, it’s probably too long.

Top Tip: Take a plastic bag with your when putting on wetsuits. Put the bag over your feet and ankles. It’ll help you slide into the suit more easily!

Try before you buy

If you’ve not worn a wetsuit before, we strongly recommend going to a surf shop and trying on different brands. Brands really do vary in their size and you want to find a brands that fits you best.

The staff in the surf shop can also help you with advice.

A note on Wetsuit materials: Avoid the Neoprene

Having watched the BigSea Documentary (click here to learn more), we’ve been educated about the devasting effects of Neoprene manufacturing on the Environment and Human Health. Neoprene is the commercial name for chloroprene which is traditionally used to make wetsuits.

However, the main chloroprene manufacturing facility, Denka, located in Louisana, USA – has been linked to the well above average levels of Cancer amongst residents in the local area and causing Louisana to have the most toxic air in the whole of the USA. The region surrounding the area has been named “Cancer Alley” – You can read more here.

With a lot of uncertainty around the wetsuits industry supply chains – it’s hard to know which brands are using Neoprene from the Denka factory and which ones aren’t (even the “eco” neoprene).

Therefore we recommend, if you can, buying a Yulex Wetsuit, made from natural rubber and currently the most environmentally friendly wetsuit material.

The following brands offer Yulex Wetsuits:

• Patagonia
• Finisterre
• Srface
• Billabong – (Eco-Conscious Range)
• Needsessentials

We do however appreciate that Yulex can be more expensive than regular neoprene, in which case buying second hand or buying a Limestone Neoprene Wetsuit (has less neoprene in it) might be a more suitable option. We’re hoping with time, there more wetsuit brands adopt Yulex, the more affordable it’ll become.

If you’re joining us on a course in Cornwall, we also have a range of wetsuits you can hire! So don’t fear if you’re stuck on buying one! Our coaches can give you advice on brands and sizing from their personal experience.

For more info on our Cornwall surf courses – Click here.

Here’s my top 6 tips to make peace with your surfing fears.

Keep things in perspective

This is the number one thing I tell myself. Although surfing is an extreme sport … I am not surfing Jaws.
I do not have to ‘climb my leash to the surface.’ I am not dragged through football fields of white water. I try my hardest not to surf near any rocks. I’m a good swimmer. Accidents happen of course but I’m in control and can head back to the beach whenever I want.

Accept that your fear is rational and give it a go

So, you’ve just arrived and you’re thinking ‘These waves look pretty big’ …
Option One: Give it a go … you might surprise yourself. You might struggle with the paddle out but you might make it. You might go under when you mess up the first wave. But then you might catch the second one. Ride it all the way to the white water shouting ‘Look at me, I’m invincible’. Asking your friends later ‘Did you see that?! It was the wave of my life!’

Accept that your fear is rational and give it a miss

Option Two of turning up to sizeable waves: Maybe the ocean’s told you it’s too big and you haven’t made the paddle out. No problem … accept that and dial down that muscle memory pop-up (Check out our post on how to make the most of the whitewater). Or try somewhere smaller. Or get a hot chocolate, watch and learn from others. After all, surfing is not a sport where you can ‘book a session’ and you’ve got to respect what the ocean is telling you.

Do your research

Perhaps you can avoid turning up somewhere that’s too big by looking at the swell direction and sheltered beaches (Read our post on How to Read a Surf Forecast). You can also plan for the friendliest tide time (i.e. not dredgy low or shore-dump high).

In my experience, five star magic seaweed days rarely align with my favourite sessions. They tend to be big, crowded and over-hyped. I prefer the three star days either side.

Swim

Leashes snap and there could be a time when your board pings off. If you’ve put in a few lengths at the pool then have faith in yourself, dive under some waves and enjoy the swim back to the beach.
If you want to take up surfing, you should be able to swim.

Our Surf & Swim weekends are the perfect opportunity to build all around confidence in the water, learn how to swim in open water as well as surfing gives experience both with and without a buoyancy aid (your surfboard!).

Get a good crew

And, if you’re a beginner, maybe that ‘crew’ shouldn’t always be your partner who’s been surfing for years. There, I said it!

Someone said to me recently ‘You always have such a good girl crew.’ Yes, I do and I’m proud about that. I love meeting other people in the water and in the car park. And, for reasons too expansive for this blog post, women find it easier to start chatting to each other than men do!

So let’s make the most of it. Always smile and always say hi. If you see a woman getting a kick-ass wave, tell her – it might be just what she needed to hear in order to make peace with her surfing fears.

And if you haven’t got a crew and are nervous about going on your own, joining one of our Surf Sistas courses is the perfect way to meet likeminded women who become your new surf gang!

You’ll also receive expert coaching and guidance from our female coaches who have been through the surf fears themselves!

Surf Confidence Workshops

NEW for 2023: If you join our 4 Day Beginner Course or 5 Day White to Green Improver Course in 2023, there’s the option to join a Surf Confidence workshop on Tuesday evenings, led by surfer and psychotherapist Danni Unway – Find out more here.

The Surfing Plateau

I learnt to surf on a gap year six years ago which got me out the back and wave riding consistently. Since then I haven’t had coaching, and whilst I’ve made progression, it’s been slow with a lot of frustration. It wasn’t until a recent trip to Morocco that I realised how useful it was getting coaching when you’re an intermediate level surfer.

I was out logging at a point break with a couple of friends, one of whom is a ISA Level 2 Surf Coach. She had seen me take a few waves and whilst chatting as we paddled back up to the point, she offered some feedback. “Instead of “charging to the nose” in three big steps but falling just short, aim for four much smaller steps with the last step being slightly extended to get a hang 5″

What happened next felt cosmic. I took the next set wave, popped up, set my line and mentally counted to four as I deliberately shortened my step and slowed down. Next thing I know those five little piggies on my left foot were wrapping themselves round the nose of my board in a perfect hang five. EEEEEEK!

Over those two months, my longboarding improved more than in the last two years, by accepting feedback and mentally focussing on one improvement point in my surfing. This has got me even more excited for the Intermediate Weekends we’re running this Summer. We’re excited to have the chance to help you break through your plateau and take your surfing from strength to strength.

Over those two months, my longboarding improved more than in the last two years, by accepting feedback and mentally focussing in on one little improvement point in my surfing at a time.

Wondering what a Surf Sistas Intermediate course can offer you? Here are 6 key reasons why we are confident this weekend will make a radical difference to your surfing experience ..

We’re running a 1:3 Instructor Ratio

For most of our courses we run a maximum 1:4 ratio. On this course we’re limiting spaces to only eight guests with three coaches in the water. 1:4 is a great coach to student ratio as you will receive lots of 1:1 coaching (most surf schools run a 1:8 ratio). However, we have decided to reduce to 1:3 on the Intermediate weekends because at this level we’re anticipating that each participant will have very specific surf niggles that are more varied from one woman to the next. The 1:3 ratio will mean more tailored and individualised coaching for each student.

We Structure the Weekends around your goals & surf dilemmas

No Intermediate weekend is the same. One of you may join looking to improve your cutback and another of looking to learn how to generate speed. Therefore, we don’t cookie cutter these courses.

Prior to the course, we request your feedback on your current experience, surfing ability and the individual goals you have for the weekend. That way are coaches are prepared to tailor the weekend and coaching around what you want to learn. We won’t have a pre-set rigid structure of what will be taught. But we do have a bank of resources and techniques that we’ll pull from to support you to achieve your goals.

Photography (in water and Out)

For one of the sessions, we’ll be joined by a professional in-water photographer who will be capturing your waves. Not only will these be used in the photo/video analysis session but they’re also epic shots that you can keep as memories of your surfing (even for the gram). For all four water sessions there’s also a land based photographer, capturing your waves so that you can see your progression over the weekend.

We move with the Tides

Forecasting is wonderful but there’s only so far into the future the long range will go. We know that when you book your course, you might not know what the conditions will be like. Over the weekend we’ll be scheduling the session times to get the best tides, winds and waves possible. This could involve dawnie sessions or exploring a different beach! We’ll contact you the day before the course starts to confirm the Saturday session timings and decide on the Sunday session the day before as well. Get ready for a fun filled weekend!

No time off work needed!

That’s right. You can hop in and out of the course over the space of a weekend, saving your annual leave for winter escapes, maybe even on one of our global surf retreats The weekends will be full-on days so you can get the most of your time with us. Just be ready to get the caffeine going Monday morning.

Experienced Instructors on board to deliver the best coaching

In Newquay, we’re lucky to have a community incredible female surfers and instructors. A fair amount of the time, the number of women in the sea can outnumber the men!

This means our Surf Sistas team includes some highly experienced surf coaches, with Level 2 ISA qualifications under their belts and/or extensive years of coaching experience.

If this sounds like the course for you, head to our course page to book your spot and get the full information.

Unsure of your level of ability, check out our guide to picking the right Surf Sistas course for you.

I first remember seeing Beth out at Godrevy in 2018, on a fresh winter morning between uni lectures. She had a cool composure as she effortlessly walked up to the nose of her log, tucking her toes over the edge, hanging 5. There was a fantastic left hander that year, offering critical walls lining up some steep sections. She didn’t seemed phased and calmy crosstepped back moving into the pocket and gliding past me.

WHO IS THAT? I was fangirling a little. particularly as a newbie to longboarding, clunkily trying to shuffle up and down the board. Turns out we were both on the same uni course (she was the year below me, both Geography undergrads). The same day, ironically, I saw her in the uni canteen.

It’s refreshing seeing other women in the line-up, particularly longboarders like Beth, who inspire fellow women to commit to the cross step. During Uni I surfed with a solid crew of women, but compared to now, there weren’t really that many women in the line-up. A lot has changed in those five years for women’s surfing, notably the explosion of women surfing in Cornwall, which is epic!

Having chatted to Beth, it seems that the women’s competitive surf scene is also seeing lots of positive change for women. To find out more and to hear Beth’s story read on below!

How did you get into surfing?

I was born in Swindon, but my parents made the move to Cornwall when I was about 5 years old. I didn’t grow up in a surfing household but every summer we would have loads of beach days and I used to mess around on a bodyboard with my dad. I think I was about 9 when I had my first surf lesson at Widemouth, Bude. After spending the next few years pestering my parents for surfboard and lessons, I joined a local weekly grom club and that was it.. got the surfing bug. After constantly taking me to the beach my mum even got into surfing in her late forties!

What impact has surfing had on your life?

Undoubtedly surfing has had a huge impact on my life for the better. I feel privileged to have a connection to the ocean through surfing. Surfing has allowed me to live a healthy lifestyle which I am grateful for; with the mental health benefits of getting in the water, the social scene and the surfing community. I also love to share my passion with others through my job as a surf instructor.

I remember when I first started competing it always felt like the women were thrown in at the worst time, “oh its dead spring low tide, better throw the ladies heat in”.

Thankfully, I think now women are given their space in UK competitions to perform at their best and this is following with the level of women’s longboarding getting better and better.

When did you start competing?

I think I did my first comp when I was about 12, it was an inter-schools foamy tag team competition. Looking back, doing a fun comp like that is a great introduction to competitive surfing without too much pressure or stress! I started competing more regularly around 15 when I started longboarding.

Where have you competed? Do you have a favourite comp?

I’ve been lucky enough to compete across Europe and also further afield in Mexico. Although, I won’t lie, travelling and competing in warmer climates is pretty sweet! Some of my favourite competitions are still the local ones like the British Longboard Union events and the Jesus Longboard Classic. It’s great to get together with the local longboarding community and also watch the next UK generation coming up.

What results have you had? Any significant milestones?

Over the years I’ve a had a string of top 3 National placings. For me a highlight was representing GB at the 2019 ISA World Longboard Championships in Biarritz. Surfing competitions by nature tend to be individual, so it was really cool to be part of a team all cheering each other on.

Has the nature of competitive surfing changed since you started? Particularly for the women’s competitive scene?

I think the women’s longboarding scene in the UK is getting really exciting and more competitive. There are more and more ladies entering the events and the new batch of juniors coming up are shredding which helps push everyone. I remember when I first started competing it always felt like the women were thrown in at the worst time, “oh its dead spring low tide, better throw the ladies heat in”.

Thankfully, I think now women are given their space in UK competitions to perform at their best and this is following with the level of women’s longboarding getting better and better. Sponsorship wise I still think there is sometimes a bit of misbalance. For some brands it still feels like women need to be surfers and models, whereas for men they can just surf.

How do you juggle competing with managing work and other commitments?

For the past six years I have been working as a surf instructor. I have been lucky to work for some great companies, like Surf Sistas, who let me balance any competing commitments with instructing. I have recently graduated from university and thinking about heading into environmental centered work, with a bit of surf coaching on the side. My ultimate goal is to find a remote job that will allow me to still travel and compete across the globe… fingers crossed!

You’ve surfed in quite a lot of events like the British Longboard Union Tour as well as more alternative invitationals like The Mexi Log Fest and Smooth Movers.

How do the vibes differ? Do you find the nature of the competition different as well?

The vibe in the more alternative events is definitely easier going and socially orientated. The beers are flowing, post and pre heat, and the emphasis is also on the evening entertainment (big old party). For me, I look forward to these events the most each year because they go beyond just being a surf competition. They are also a really fun get together for the surfing community.

How are you preparing for the ISA and what does the event involve?

I have actually spent this winter in Mexico travelling with my boyfriend in our converted pick-up truck. This has been the perfect ‘training’ for El Salvador, just surfing every day, with many different waves set-ups and boards. I think being able to surf everything really helps your surfing in general. The actual event in El Salvador is running from the 7^th – 14^th May. Myself and the team are super excited to get out there, surf our best and hopefully do everyone from home proud!

Unfortunately, we receive no funding from National Governing bodies. We have set up a Crowdfunder raffle to help towards team travel and accommodation costs. There are some amazing prizes up for grabs (£250 Surf Sista’s Voucher!!) and you can buy a ticket from £10. We would really appreciate any help in getting us to the World Championships and representing GB!

Click Here to help Beth and the team get to the ISA World champs!