Watersports in West Cornwall
But if it’s action and adventure you’re after you’ll find a full range of watersports and activities for the natural born thrill seeker or the enthusiastic beginner. Assuming you’re not a seasoned pro, and don’t already have all the gear and all the ideas, below we’ve listed a few ways to get started.
Coasteering
If you want to try one of the most hands on, action packed and heart racing ways of discovering the Cornish coast then Coasteering might just be for you.If you’ve never heard of Coasteering, it’s basically an adrenaline fuelled way to make your way along a section of coastline via a mix of jumping, climbing, scrambling, swimming and diving.
Coasteering trips are run by Lizard Adventures in the Helston area, Sennen Surf Centre and St Ives Watersports Centre.
SUP
Another relatively new kid on the block, SUP burst onto the UK watersports scene just a few years ago and hasn’t stopped growing in popularity since.Aka Stand Up Paddleboarding, SUP is a unique way of cruising the waters using a long-handled paddle from a standing position. For the ultimate family bonding activity you can even get 8-man SUPs!
You can hire SUPs from St Ives Surf School, The Ocean Sports Centre on Carbis Bay Beach, JB Kitesurfing and SUP school in Hayle, the Beach Complex in Sennen, Ocean High on Marazion Beach at Mount’s Bay, Vertical Blue Adventures in Helston.
Kitesurfing
Most of us have probably watched kite surfers at one time or another and wondered what it would be like to harness the power of the winds and defy gravity by flying across the rolling waves.West Cornwall is one of the best places to learn.
JB Kitesurfing School and the brilliantly-named Pasty Adventures run lessons and courses from Marazion Beach in Penzance and Gwithian Beach near Hayle, so why not take the plunge and get in touch?
Surfing
With some great surfing beaches to boast about, West Cornwall has long been heralded as a mecca for surfing in the UK.With some fantastic year-round surf, people flock to its beaches from far and wide to get a salty taste of the waves.
If you find yourself feeling inspired to blow the dust off the old surf board or even have a go for the first time, you can’t go wrong with St Ives Surf School, Tassy Swallow’s Surf Ratz club for young girls in St Ives, Smart Surf School in Sennen, Shore Surf in Hayle or Bare Foot Surf School in Helston.
Kayaking
If you want to map your own adventure or take a guided tour, kayaking is another wonderful and family friendly way to see the seas,Whether you’re racing your friends along the length of Porthminster Beach or simply drifting along with the sound of the water whirling gently below.
Kayaks are available to rent from nearly all the larger beaches in St Ives, Vertical Blue in Helston and Ocean High at Marazion near Penzance.