Location

Based at Bude Sea Pool, Rob Mc Paddling specialises in stand-up paddleboarding experiences designed to help people build confidence, learn new skills and enjoy time on the water.

The sheltered waters of the sea pool provide an ideal environment for beginners, nervous paddlers and anyone looking to improve their technique away from waves and strong currents. Sessions are tailored to individual paddlers and can be adapted to suit different experience levels and goals.

Alongside daytime lessons, Rob also offers popular sunset and evening paddleboarding sessions, allowing participants to experience the sea pool in a completely different light. For those looking for something truly memorable, night paddleboarding sessions add an extra sense of adventure to this unique location.

With stunning views across Summerleaze Beach and the North Cornwall coastline, paddleboarding at Bude Sea Pool offers a relaxed and enjoyable way to experience life on the water.

Why We Love It

• Paddleboarding on Bude Sea Pool
• Ideal for beginners and nervous paddlers
• Private tuition available
• Sunset paddle sessions
• Evening and night paddles
• Unique tidal pool setting
• Beautiful North Cornwall location

Good For

Paddleboarding • Kayaking • Beginners • Families • Guided Experiences •  Coastal Wellbeing

Based in the vibrant coastal town of Bude, Freewave Surf Academy helps people discover the joy, confidence and freedom that comes from spending time on the water.

Best known for its surf lessons, the academy offers a range of experiences designed to help beginners and improvers build skills, confidence and a connection to the ocean. Whether you’re standing on a surfboard for the very first time, developing your technique or trying stand-up paddleboarding, the experienced team provides supportive instruction in a fun and encouraging environment.

The North Cornwall coastline offers an incredible natural playground, with sandy beaches, rolling waves and beautiful coastal scenery creating the perfect backdrop for learning and adventure. Sessions are tailored to suit a range of ages and abilities, making Freewave a popular choice for families, visitors, groups and individuals looking to experience the water in a safe and enjoyable way.

More than simply learning a sport, spending time surfing or paddleboarding offers an opportunity to connect with nature, challenge yourself, enjoy the outdoors and experience the wellbeing benefits of being in and around the sea.

Whether you’re looking for your first surf lesson, a family activity during your holiday or a new way to explore the coastline, Freewave Surf Academy offers a welcoming introduction to life on the water.

Why We Love It

• Friendly and experienced instructors
• Surf lessons for beginners and improvers
• Paddleboarding experiences
• Family-friendly activities
• Beautiful North Cornwall locations
• Great for building water confidence
• Encourages connection with the coast and ocean

Good For

Surfing • Paddleboarding • Beginners • Families • Water confidence • Outdoor adventure • Coastal wellbeing • Holiday activities

Perched above the sands of Crooklets Beach, Ocean Soul Sauna offers a beautifully simple way to experience the restorative power of heat, sea and nature.

Combining traditional sauna culture with the invigorating benefits of cold-water immersion, Ocean Soul Sauna invites visitors to slow down, breathe deeply and connect with the rhythm of the coast. Whether you’re warming up after a sea swim, sharing time with friends or simply taking a moment for yourself, the experience is designed to leave you feeling refreshed, grounded and re-energised.

The wood-fired sauna enjoys spectacular views across the Atlantic Ocean, creating a unique setting where the sights and sounds of the sea become part of the experience. Guests can alternate between the warmth of the sauna and the refreshing waters of the beach below, embracing a tradition that has become increasingly popular with swimmers, surfers and wellness seekers alike.

Located in the heart of Bude’s vibrant coastal community, Ocean Soul Sauna offers a welcoming space for both regular sea swimmers and those trying a sauna and cold-water experience for the first time.

Why We Love It

• Beachfront sauna with ocean views
• Located at Crooklets Beach, Bude
• Combines sauna and sea swimming
• Wood-fired sauna experience
• Ideal after surfing, swimming or coastal walks
• Relaxed and welcoming atmosphere
• Beautiful sunset sessions

Good For

Sauna bathing • Cold water immersion •  Sea swimmers • Wellbeing experiences •  Relaxation •  Coastal adventures •  Group experiences •  Solo escapes

Nestled on the coastline just beyond Brixham Harbour, Shoalstone Sea Water Pool has been welcoming swimmers for over a century. This beautiful outdoor seawater pool offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the benefits of sea swimming in a sheltered and accessible environment.

Filled by the sea and refreshed by the tides, Shoalstone combines the invigorating experience of swimming outdoors with the comfort of a protected swimming space. It’s a popular destination for local swimmers, families, visitors and open water enthusiasts who return throughout the year to enjoy the pool and the stunning coastal setting.

The pool sits within the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark and enjoys sweeping views across Torbay. Whether you’re swimming lengths, introducing children to sea swimming, floating beneath blue skies or simply enjoying time beside the water, Shoalstone offers a welcoming space to connect with the sea.

Community-supported and deeply loved by local people, Shoalstone has become much more than a swimming pool. It’s a place where memories are made, friendships are formed and people come together to enjoy Devon’s coastline.

Why We Love It

• Historic seawater pool
• Beautiful coastal location
• Family-friendly swimming
• Sea water refreshed by the tides
• Suitable for beginners and experienced swimmers
• Stunning views across Torbay
• Strong community spirit

Good For

Sea swimming • Outdoor swimming beginners • Families • Open water training • Cold water dipping •Coastal wellbeing

Perched alongside Summerleaze Beach, Bude Sea Pool is one of Cornwall’s most iconic outdoor swimming locations. Just a few miles from the Devon border, the pool was originally built in the 1930s. This semi-natural tidal pool offers a safe and accessible way to enjoy sea swimming while staying connected to the rhythm of the ocean.

Filled naturally by the tide, the pool provides a unique swimming experience that changes with the seasons, the weather and the sea itself. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely dip, a family swim, open water training or simply a moment of calm beside the water, Bude Sea Pool offers a welcoming space for swimmers of all ages and abilities.

The pool is cared for by the local community and has become a much-loved landmark for residents and visitors alike. Surrounded by dramatic North Cornwall scenery, it’s easy to spend a few hours swimming, relaxing on the beach, exploring the coastline or enjoying a coffee overlooking the sea.

For many swimmers, Bude Sea Pool offers the best of both worlds, the refreshing experience of swimming in the sea, combined with the reassurance and accessibility of a protected swimming environment. Bude’s sea can be fairly wild because it faces the full, uninterrupted force of the Atlantic Ocean, so the pool is perfect to feel the benefits of open water without the tricky waters.

Look out for events, supported swims, training, advice and dog swims!

Why We Love It

• Historic tidal sea pool
• Sea water swimming in a sheltered environment
• Suitable for a range of abilities
• Family-friendly location
• Stunning coastal views
• Free to access
• Community-run and cared for

Good For

Sea swimming • Cold water dipping • Outdoor swimming beginners • Families •  Open water training • Coastal wellbeing

Surf lessons, paddleboarding and coastal adventure in South Devon.

Based at Bigbury-on-Sea and Bantham, Discovery Surf School has been helping people get out on the water since 2002. Family-run and well established on the South Devon coast, they offer surf lessons, SUP lessons and equipment hire for all ages and abilities.

Whether you’re stepping onto a surfboard for the first time, looking to build confidence in the waves, or hoping to improve your technique, Discovery focuses on safe, high-quality coaching in small groups. Their private family surf lessons are especially popular, offering a fun way for families and groups of friends to experience the sea together.

Lessons take place at Bantham and Bigbury, two of South Devon’s best-loved surf beaches, with locations chosen depending on the day’s conditions to give people the best possible experience.

Discovery also offers paddleboard and kayak hire, surf club sessions, school and group bookings, and specialist coaching. Their instructors are qualified through Surfing England or ASI and are trained lifeguards, with a strong reputation for professionalism, safety and encouragement.

Good for:

• Beginner surf lessons
• Family surf sessions
• Paddleboarding and SUP hire
• Group experiences and school groups
• Coastal adventure days
• Surf coaching in South Devon

Locations:

Bigbury-on-Sea and Bantham, South Devon

Read our blog – Surfing at 50s : Learning to Surf in North Devon