Being surrounded by sea is rather like having a wonderful natural playground at your doorstep. Did you know that Cornwall has over 400 miles of coastline and that everywhere is within 20 miles of the sea? If you were brought up in Cornwall the chances are that you can swim, surf and often sail and fish and for decades the same pleasures have been shared by countless people who visit Cornwall on holiday.

Surfing has always been popular and the North coast beaches are renowned for the excellence of the surf attracting people from around the world. Nowadays wooden boards have been replaced by larger polyethylene body boards of increasingly complexity, wet suits have become the norm and a variety of other water based sports such a paragliding and kite-surfing can been seen on beaches such as Watergate Bay, near Newquay.

So where is the best beach for surfing near Padstow? Polzeath (via Wadebridge) is a surfer’s go to place and you will find everything you need to start from tuition to board hire etc. plus a good variety of food and drink choices when you return from the waves. Harlyn, is just a couple of miles from Padstow and, as it is north facing, picks up a decent 2-4 onshore wave which increases as it comes into the bay. It is very beginner friendly and again there is tuition, board hire and shops available – you will get hungry!

Surfing might not be your thing of course so next week’s blog will be about the other ways to enjoy the sea from dolphin watching on a sea safaris to paddling – rather more sedate but just as much fun!