Cornwall coastal cottages are the perfect solution for surfing holidays
Published January 17, 2012One of the best surfers the world has ever produced, Bobby Brown, was born in New York in 1912 and lived to the grand old age of ninety six. He pioneered body surfing in California, using an eighty pound redwood board, and was amongst the first to surf the massive, deadly dangerous rollers in Hawaii. He, like many surfers today, swore by the sport’s meditative qualities and positive energy. A lifelong optimist, he believed surfing frees the spirit and heals the emotions as well as keeping you extraordinarily fit.
Have you ever tried surfing? It looks so elegant and effortless, skimming the surface of the deep blue sea and tumbling through the sparkling white surf, coming to a graceful stop on the warm, damp sand. Surfers say learning to surf is easy. All you need is the advice of a surf school instructor, qualified to deliver professional surf coaching lessons or private surf instruction, and a load of practice.
Surfing is difficult to resist in Cornwall, where the seas are ideal for learners and surf schools abound. And Cornish self catering cottages are the best possible kind of accommodation if you’re hell bent on learning the not-so-gentle art of surfing while you’re there on your holidays.
Why? Because you need plenty of lovely, comfortable indoor space in which to warm up, chill out, dry your surfing gear and cook yourself a nutritious, delicious meal after wards. A hotel room or B&B just doesn’t cut the mustard. It’s great fun learning to surf with friends and family, so Cornwall coastal cottages are also the best option if you’re a hen or stag party, family group or bunch of friends. You can get together in the evenings and chat through your day’s experiences together in a comfy home from home. Perfect.
Brits enjoying Cornish self catering holidays flock to the county’s many excellent surf schools. If you’re in the market for surf lessons this year, here’s some tips for choosing the best school for your needs.
First, check that the surf school’s instructors are qualified by the British Surfing Association to provide lessons for every ability, safely and professionally. The sea can be dangerous and surfing comes with risks, so it’s essential to find a teacher who knows about the safety aspects as well as being able to surf like a pro! Look for instructors who are also qualified NARS beach lifeguards for a belt-and-braces approach. The best surf schools provide good quality surfboards and wetsuits too. Cornish seas are beautiful but this is the Atlantic, so it’s never going to be as warm as Hawaii! Surfing lessons cost from about £20 each for a half day and most offer packages too, which often come at a discount. Enjoy!
Glorious Cornwall coastal cottages for a gorgeous, crisp, winter 2011
Published September 20, 2011Cornwall is absolutely glorious. The only thing is, in the height of summer millions of us flock there and things can get a little crowded. Great stuff if you’re a party animal and adore lying in the sun all day. For holidaymakers of a quieter persuasion who thrive on the sound of the wind rather than the sound of distant (and not so distant) partying, off season breaks in Cornwall coastal cottages are just the ticket. If that’s you, someone who’d much rather stroll on the moors than fry under a relentlessly hot semi-Mediterranean sun, you’ll probably thrive on winter Cornwall cottages holidays.
There’s a lot to be said for Cornwall cottages. Holiday heaven just about covers it. When internet-savvy punters do their homework they track down some wonderful winter break bargains. Imagine a cosy coastal bolt-hole five minutes from the beach. Beautiful décor, more like a boutique hotel than the kind of grim décor of 1970s holiday homes. Modern heating, carefully considered lighting, broadband and satellite or cable TV. All your home comforts. A fantastic kitchen and sociable lounging area. A gorgeous bathroom and immaculate loos. Big, squashy sofas, proper dining areas and lots of storage space. Completely fab.
If you’re a hardy type you might even appreciate getting out in your own private garden in winter. Find a Cornish holiday let with outdoor space and a barbecue and spend one of the county’s legendary frosty but oh so starry, starry nights ogling the sky. Romance on a stick!
Take a bunch of friends and enjoy brisk walks to toasty warm Cornish pubs, most of which serve excellent food and some of which carry interesting local beers and wines. Take to the famous coastal path on a clear night and hike under the moonlight, sleeping in late the next day and visiting a celebrity seafood restaurant for well-earned comfort food sustenance. Get up at first light and watch the shore birds wading and dabbling in the watery golden dawn. It’s enough to make you go all poetic.
Best of all, off season breaks in the nation’s favourite holiday county cost less than in summer. Often dramatically. Bleak is beautiful down there, often breathtakingly so. The locals go about their everyday lives calmly and stoically. The days are short and the nights long, good humoured and convivial. Fishing fleets brave the roaring seas. Pelting rain is interlaced with startlingly crisp winter masterpieces, air as clear as cut diamonds in spring water. Nice? Very nice!
