Big Blue Surf School is based in Bude, North Cornwall and has been teaching people to surf for over 20 years. If you are looking to learn or improve your surfing or for a great family day out, then Bude is the place to go. We have safely and successfully introduced over 35,000 men, women and children to our wonderful sport with many returning to us year after year. We run surfing lessons for individuals, families, schools and for those with disabilities or who are neurodiverse.
We operate on Summerleaze Beach which is one of the most diverse surf destinations in Cornwall with access to a sheltered bay when the conditions are big and an open sandy beach from mid to low tide meaning we can accommodate all abilities in a variety of surf conditions. So don’t worry if you’re not a fan of big waves!
Summerleaze has gained its reputation as a highlight of the Cornish coast due to its many attributes such as its renowned point-break surf during the high tide, a popular tidal pool, beautiful coastal paths and its position located in the heart of Bude.
Our coaches are fully qualified for all ability levels and are trained surf lifeguards, most of which have grown up learning to surf in Bude meaning they have a huge amount of experience with the area. We maintain a high coach to student ratio because when learning to surf, safety is our main priority.
Here at Big Blue Surf we believe everyone should be able to join in which is why we have been running specialised adaptive lessons for many years, for people with disabilities, who are neurodiverse, and those with mental health conditions.
We are also open all year round and have extra thick wetsuits to keep you warm in the cooler months!
All the information you need is right here – but if we’ve missed anything or you’re ready to enquire about booking then please give us a shout.
Big Blue Surf school is the sister company to OA Surf Club who are based 4 miles south of Bude at Widemouth Bay. OA Surf Club is also a super experienced surf school and has been operating since 1981….
As well as surf lessons, OA Surf Club offers coasteering sessions and also has accommodation based on the clifftops overlooking Widemouth Bay.
Rob – a die-hard long boarder and Bude local.
He’s been the manager of OA Surf Club for 26 years and when the rest of the team take off over winter, he stays in Bude – keeping things running smoothly for our accommodation, surf school and coaster guiding. His favourite place to surf is a Secret Spot near Bude…
But we know he loves jumping in at Widemouth with the team more!
Tia, our assistant manager and queen of coasteering.
She spent part of the winter in Lombok, Bali where she was treated to almost perfect waves most days – much to the jealousy of the rest of the team.
She’s focusing on her big wave game this year, and when she’s not helping Rob run the ship from the office, she can be found sharing the stoke in the water – especially with Sirens Ladies Surfing Club with Big Blue Surf School!
Hannah, our head coach and team photographer/videographer.
She just got back from a winter spent managing a surf school in Whangamata, New Zealand and is stoked to be back in less sharky waters for the summer.
She recently discovered a love for riding twin fins and you can usually find her and her JS Red Baron out at Widemouth Bay when she’s not on session!
Dylan, who has coached at Big Blue Surf School for 6 years and can usually be found holding down the fort at Summerleaze Beach.
He’s been surfing since he was a young grommet and he now passes the torch (more like stoke!) by leading our Junior Surf Academy with Big Blue Surf School. His speciality is riding fins first on foamies and having the best time doing it!
Joe is now in his second season with us, and got into coaching 3 years ago after being a casual surfer for 12 years on holidays with his family. When he’s not coaching in the water he can be found hitting the gym and providing the team with workout advice to keep us all in peak physical condition. He spent the winter months travelling all over Central America!
But now he’s back he’s throwing himself into his surfing and experimenting with new boards out at Widemouth Bay whenever he can.
Jake is one of our new coaches for the season however he was previously coaching over in Muriwai in New Zealand over the winter. He came to OA Surf Club and Big Blue Surf School through a recommendation from Hannah, who works with his brother part time elsewhere!
He’s been surfing his whole life but decided last year to turn his passion into his day job and although he’s loving life in Bude so far, he admits that his favourite surf spot is Maukātia-Maori Bay back in Muriwai (or anywhere with warm water, really!).
Teddy, our goofy-footed longboarder hailing from the North. He is fresh to the coaching team this season after deciding to turn his love for surfing into a job and completing his Surfing England level 1 with us at OA Surf Club. He spent last summer surfing around Newquay before deciding on a change of scenery, and when he’s not surfing his log or mid length, he’s nerding out on surf films!
Kate learned to surf with Sirens Ladies Surf Club (aged 46) through Big Blue Surf School.
Inspired by the coaches she met there, she began the adventure to qualify as a coach and now can be found passing the stoke to fellow surfers through coaching the Sirens Ladies Surfing Club, as well as volunteering with the charity AdSurf. This season she’s got her sights set on exploring more surf spots on her days off!
