Looking for advice on campsites where the dc can learn to surf!

[lavenderhoney]

Having decided to attempt camping, dc would like to learn to surf. They are 7 and 5. Anyone have any tips? I suppose Devon or Cornwall?

I'm a bit worried about making sure its a family campsite so there will be other dc, not just surfers.

Its either that or the Jurassic coast:)

What about Pembrokeshire? There's a nice campsite next to Whitesands beach at St Davids (quite basic, just toilet/shower block, but it is right by the beach, which has cafe, shop etc. There are organised surfing lessons, plus you can then hire surfboards pretty cheaply by the hour/day etc. 5 is pretty small, though - IIRC the lessons tend to be age 8 upwards - definitely something to check out.

Try Polzeath in Cornwall - campsite next to beach and lessons on the beach.

I checked this out yesterday funny enough - the lessons, that is, not the sites. The youngest I found offered were for 6 year olds. Many schools started at 8 as Takver says. Maybe if you take a family lesson, or a private one just for your two children, they might be more flexible, but I think it can be down to insurance.

How good are they at swimming? I surfed a bit and would want my DC to be reasonable swimmers before they start....when you come off in a wave it can feel a bit like being in a washing machine.

Could you start them on boogie boards in the shallows rather than surfboards? They are smaller too so much easier to control.

They are both excellent swimmers and divers:)

But I like the sound of boogie boards. Wetsuits I guess?

We have just been to white sands today. Great beach and surf stuff there. There is a campsite virtually next to the beach but beware it's on a slope.
We went to Croyde in Devon earlier this year which is big into surfing etc. Lovely place and great cream teas !
Also Gwithian beach down in Cornwall. That has a great surf school there and lots of places to stay.

Everywhere in Pembrokeshire is on a slope, lk26 - the campsite at Whitesands is quite flat, relatively speaking . . .

They must end up all huddled at the bottom of the tent :)

Very true - I've got a camper van & lots of bits of wood to level it . . . .

There must be some flat bits, though, as a friend who tent camps often goes there and has never complained!

Newgale in Pembrokeshire has camping and surfing

www.coolcamping.co.uk/campsites/uk/wales/west-wales/pembrokeshire/506-newgale

Try Rhosilli (Gower, South Wales) - its absolutely amazing.

I'm booked! Cornwall :) wet suits and boogie boards coming this week, and now fingers crossed for nice weather:)

LavenderHoney - sounds like you're on a roll, have a great time with your kiddies

Had a fantastic time in Cornwall in the end and dd is now a committed boarder:) ds nope as even with a wetsuit he was cold. Wouldn't even paddle..

Thanks for the suggestions:)

Whereabouts in Cornwall did you end up?

North Cornwall- right on the coast and a lovely small campsite, with nice facilities

Dorset is next on our list, then Devon, and South Cornwall:)

Oh lovely, my favourite bit - nice & surfy