Porthcawl Surf School
Porthcawl Surf School
5
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Full view
About
Voted Best UK Surf School 2016. Resident Surf School at Rest Bay Beach, Porthcawl, South Wales.Available for year round Surf Lessons and Surf Hire.You are able to have lessons for, surfing, Kayaking, Stand Up paddle boarding and Lifeguard training. You can hire Surfboards, Kayaks, Skimboards, Kayaks, Stand Up Paddle boards and wetsuits including boots, gloves and hoods.
Porthcawl, Bridgend County, Wales
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
630 reviews
Excellent
609
Very good
16
Average
1
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Kay S
2 contributions
Jul 2020
My daughter and son had a two hour surf lesson at Porthcawl Surf School last Saturday and it was amazing. The teaching by Mike was really professional with clear instructions to easily understand what to do etc. Both my children (aged 19 and almost 11 years old) thoroughly enjoyed the lesson which was undertaken in small groups and following all the social distancing guidelines.
We are now looking to buy a board to get out on the water more often although hiring equipment at the surf school is also an option and not overpriced.
I would definitely recommend Porthcawl Surf School for any surf lessons, might even book myself in for a class as it looked so much fun.
Thanks and see you on the water!
We are now looking to buy a board to get out on the water more often although hiring equipment at the surf school is also an option and not overpriced.
I would definitely recommend Porthcawl Surf School for any surf lessons, might even book myself in for a class as it looked so much fun.
Thanks and see you on the water!
Written July 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike JC
Pyle, UK1 contribution
Aug 2022
My Wife and I booked a surfing lesson a few weeks ago. The day came and unfortunately, the conditions were not suitable. Still, Porthcawl Surf School were excellent about it all, had clear communication with them and they rearranged a new date immediately.
The lesson itself was fantastic! Our instructor Emma was brilliant, very understanding and paced the lesson superbly. Starting on land you are introduced to your surfboard and its anatomy, by the time we went into the sea we had been thoroughly briefed on the safety aspects of surfing and all the techniques we needed to get started. I have not had such a relaxed and comprehensive lesson before. It all just felt fun, you felt at ease and safe at all times. You are given instructions at a great pace and given plenty of time to execute them in the water.
At the end of your lesson, you are left with all the knowledge you need to practise on your own.
I would highly recommend a surf lesson to anyone, especially with the great value provided by the surf school too. Equipment (surfboard/wetsuit etc) is all provided within the cost of £35 pp for a 2-hour lesson, which was a lot less expensive than I expected.
I will definitely be continuing my surfing experience there thanks to this fantastic introduction and foundation, highly recommended!
The lesson itself was fantastic! Our instructor Emma was brilliant, very understanding and paced the lesson superbly. Starting on land you are introduced to your surfboard and its anatomy, by the time we went into the sea we had been thoroughly briefed on the safety aspects of surfing and all the techniques we needed to get started. I have not had such a relaxed and comprehensive lesson before. It all just felt fun, you felt at ease and safe at all times. You are given instructions at a great pace and given plenty of time to execute them in the water.
At the end of your lesson, you are left with all the knowledge you need to practise on your own.
I would highly recommend a surf lesson to anyone, especially with the great value provided by the surf school too. Equipment (surfboard/wetsuit etc) is all provided within the cost of £35 pp for a 2-hour lesson, which was a lot less expensive than I expected.
I will definitely be continuing my surfing experience there thanks to this fantastic introduction and foundation, highly recommended!
Written August 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sarah R
Porthcawl, UK97 contributions
Mar 2020
Recently took some young ladies I support along to the Pavillion
to see Dancing in the Rain.
It was a great hit.
They all enjoyed themselves
Free tea and coffee all afternoon
They were all made so welcome
Well done staff
Looking forward to another time after this terrible crisis is over
to see Dancing in the Rain.
It was a great hit.
They all enjoyed themselves
Free tea and coffee all afternoon
They were all made so welcome
Well done staff
Looking forward to another time after this terrible crisis is over
Written March 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben U
Cardiff, UK14 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Outstanding place to spend as much time as possible. We’ve been using the amazing facilities at Rest Bay since summer 2021. We came for a family surf lesson as complete beginners. The lesson was excellent, the equipment was superb and the instructor was brilliant. He was able to adapt to everyone in the group, including our daughter who was just eight at the time.
We started our surfing journey there and we remain so grateful to Huw, Emma and the team for all their patient advice. We gradually bought all the kit we needed so no longer gave them “hire” business, but they are still always willing to offer advice on conditions, equipment and more. Huw even advised us not to surf Rest Bay once because the conditions weren’t great and allowed me to take a hire board round to Coney Beech. He didn’t have to do that, but I was incredibly grateful.
There are excellent dining and refreshment options. With a coffee shop and snack shack on the ground floor and a bar/restaurant/cafe on the first floor. We’ve used all of these outlets and have to say, they are all great.
However, the reason for writing this protracted review today, was the outstanding and compassionate service we enjoyed in the restaurant this Easter Saturday. We’d had our first surf of the year and went up to the restaurant on the first floor. The weather was beautiful and we sat out on the balcony’s overlooking the sea, watching the surfers. We had an excellent meal (burgers etc) which despite how busy it was, was served within twenty minutes.
When my daughter accidentally knocked her drink off the table and smashed the glass, the manager of the establishment could not have been more gracious. He reassured us it was not a problem and, without us knowing, anticipated that my daughter would be upset. She was embarrassed and began to well up. When he returned he had not only replaced her drink, which he needn’t have done, but brought with him a slice of cake for Heidi to make her feel better. I was as impressed as I was grateful. In a place where they could easily go into “process mode”, they went above and beyond, further establishing us as loyal customers who will return at every opportunity.
We started our surfing journey there and we remain so grateful to Huw, Emma and the team for all their patient advice. We gradually bought all the kit we needed so no longer gave them “hire” business, but they are still always willing to offer advice on conditions, equipment and more. Huw even advised us not to surf Rest Bay once because the conditions weren’t great and allowed me to take a hire board round to Coney Beech. He didn’t have to do that, but I was incredibly grateful.
There are excellent dining and refreshment options. With a coffee shop and snack shack on the ground floor and a bar/restaurant/cafe on the first floor. We’ve used all of these outlets and have to say, they are all great.
However, the reason for writing this protracted review today, was the outstanding and compassionate service we enjoyed in the restaurant this Easter Saturday. We’d had our first surf of the year and went up to the restaurant on the first floor. The weather was beautiful and we sat out on the balcony’s overlooking the sea, watching the surfers. We had an excellent meal (burgers etc) which despite how busy it was, was served within twenty minutes.
When my daughter accidentally knocked her drink off the table and smashed the glass, the manager of the establishment could not have been more gracious. He reassured us it was not a problem and, without us knowing, anticipated that my daughter would be upset. She was embarrassed and began to well up. When he returned he had not only replaced her drink, which he needn’t have done, but brought with him a slice of cake for Heidi to make her feel better. I was as impressed as I was grateful. In a place where they could easily go into “process mode”, they went above and beyond, further establishing us as loyal customers who will return at every opportunity.
Written April 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Slizr
South Wales, UK2 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Great fun and a fantastic lesson. Kids can’t wait to get their own boards now! Logan was a fab instructor and pitched everything at the right level for the children. All of them managed to stand up and ride a few waves and even us mums managed a few wobbly moments standing up too.
Written August 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe T
High Littleton, UK2 contributions
Jul 2022
A really brilliant experience from end to end. Through online booking, picking up wetsuits, the lesson itself and chatting with our instructors afterwards, every step of the way was top notch and you're really well looked after. We paid £35 per person for a 2 hour lesson with Logan and Emily which consisted of loads of useful info and great advice. Everyone in our group was standing up and catching waves by the end of the session. I feel really well set up to go on and get surfing on my own with my mates and enjoy it!!
Written August 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sonja J
1 contribution
Jul 2021 • Family
We have two children aged 15 and 13 and called last minute to book them in for surf school but fully booked. 5 mins later we had a phone call saying they had a cancellation same day. Raced there. Sooooo worth it. Kids had an absolute blast. Loads of time in the water and friendly, professional coaching. Both were on their feet surfing by the end of their first 2 hr session and buzzing.
Written July 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margaret D
Wales18 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Well what an amazing summer it’s been for my grand children both Megan and Morgan started at level 1 and progressed through the summer to complete level 3. They are both now confident to catch a wave and are standing and beginning to change direction what more could an 8 and 12 year old want. They have found a new sport and it got us out of the house and enjoying the seaside. Tutors have been Todd and Logan and they have both been awesome. A special mention must go to Huw (BOSS) for his flexibility and helpfulness and friendly approach when weather wasn’t suitable in accommodating change of plans. Thank you Rest Bay Surf you have made this family very happy after a difficult year
Written September 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wander671190
3 contributions
Aug 2022
Very accommodating, very professional, very friendly, very good value for money and would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to learn to surf. Huw was our instructor and he was great with the kids and adults too. It was fun, thorough and I felt safe the entire time. The kids loved it and we are already planning on going back before the summer holiday ends. There is a lovely cafe, huge car park, nice sand and lovely rock pools.
My only negative is that there aren't any changing rooms, which was quite tricky when getting out. Luckily I'd worn my swimming costume there. All round great experience though.
My only negative is that there aren't any changing rooms, which was quite tricky when getting out. Luckily I'd worn my swimming costume there. All round great experience though.
Written August 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah
Pontypridd, UK1 contribution
Jul 2021 • Family
My daughter attended their under 16’s surfing course (level 1). Booking was pain free and I was really impressed with overall organisation during the course. Dan’s tuition was excellent and made the children feel at ease and encouraged them to surf to the best of their abilities. Unfortunately the wind and wave size prevented them from surfing on the last session but they have got a free day’s board hire as compensation. The cafe/coffee shop was an added bonus! A great set up, friendly staff and a BIG beach what more do you need!
Written July 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi. How do we book for next week? Also are dogs allowed on the beach? Thanks
Written August 11, 2020
My 9 year old and 12 year old would like a lesson could you let me know prices pls
Written June 19, 2016
Hi,
Lessons are £30
All info can be found here.
Written July 6, 2016
Hi I'm interested in doing a surf lesson with you guys! I've recently returned from living in Australia for a year where I had a few surf lessons, I feel confident catching and riding wives on a foam board I'm looking for someone to help me take the next step in learning about surf conditions, how to ride a hard board and the surf in porthcawl as I'm live not to far away. I'm happy with a beginner a lesson how much would it cost with all the equipment rental? as I don't have my own board, when would be the best time to book a lesson? Thanks Rhys
Written March 6, 2015
Hi Rhys,
It sound like you could do with our Improver Course.
Give us a ring 07583 348013
Thanks
Hugh
Written March 6, 2015
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