Cornwall's private surf school
Private 2-hour lessons from £100, all kit included.
★★★★★ 75+ five-star reviews
Private surf coaching with a plan
Blue Barrel was founded by Jack, an ISA-qualified coach with eight years' experience at surf schools across Cornwall. Having learnt to surf on the Isle of Wight with little guidance, he set out to build the surf school he wished he'd had: real structure, goals to aim for and support along the way.
We only teach private lessons, so every session is built around you. Whether you want to spend the two hours on your paddling, your duck dive, your turns or your confidence out the back, that's what we'll work on.
Pick your session
Private surf lessons
Two-hour lessons for beginners, improvers and families, from £100 with all kit included.
See prices and times
Group surf lessons
Stag and hen parties, corporate team days and birthdays for up to 16 people, with no experience needed.
Plan a group lesson
The Blueprint coaching programme
Private coaching with video analysis and a personal progression plan after every session, for surfers who want to stop plateauing.
How the Blueprint works
Surf lesson gift vouchers
Digital gift vouchers for birthdays, Christmas or anyone who'd love to try surfing, valid for 12 months. They pick the date.
Buy a gift voucher
Surf lessons on Cornwall's best beaches
My favourite place to surf is Gwithian, in St Ives Bay. Three miles of golden sand backed by dunes, Godrevy lighthouse in the background, and even in peak summer you can always find a quiet spot. It's a magical place to be in the water.
Jack, founder
Because we're mobile, we also teach at South Fistral in Newquay, Porthkidney, Perran Sands, Marazion, Perranuthnoe and Praa Sands, wherever the waves suit you that day.
Surfing's about having fun.
A first lesson is about experimenting: getting used to the board and the waves, and finding your rhythm and balance. There's no pressure to be perfect.
Watching someone stand up and glide along the water for the first time never gets old. Whatever their age, everyone's grinning from ear to ear.
Jack, founder
Once you've built a foundation, we set goals and track your progress from session to session. That's what the Blueprint is for.
Private surf lesson prices and timesHow we plan every lesson
- 1
Forecast and webcams
We check the surf forecast and beach webcams every morning.
- 2
Match the waves to you
Conditions are checked against your ability before we get in the water.
- 3
Pick the beach
North or south coast, wherever is working best that day.
- 4
Kit for the season
Quality boards and a wetsuit matched to the water temperature.
- 5
Meet at the beach
We confirm the time and place, and arrive with everything ready.
75+ five-star reviews
Here's what a few of them said.
“Jack was a great surf coach (and cheerleader). We were both first-time surfers and would highly recommend Blue Barrel. We were a bit nervous at first but had so much fun and is the highlight of our trip to Cornwall! Jack was able to meet us at a beach close to where we were staying with all the equipment and really made sure we got the most out of our two-hour lesson.”
“Really great morning with Jack, learnt loads and had brilliant fun. Went with my 7-year-old son who was a bit nervous and Jack looked after him brilliantly. Honestly couldn't have asked for anything more. If you get the chance, book in with Blue Barrel, massively recommended.”
“Fantastic time with Jack! Wanting to progress our surfing out of the beginner status and Blue Barrel delivered. Patient and knowledgeable, we came out of the water more confident, definitely better and had a great time doing it.”
“Fantastic time surfing with Blue Barrel. Jack was knowledgeable, safe, a very good surfer, a very good teacher and above all a nice bloke! All this made the sessions extremely enjoyable and I noticed an improvement in my surfing quickly. Highly recommend.”
Private surf lessons from £100
Two hours, all equipment included, £30 for each extra surfer. Lessons run year-round, with an optional 6pm sunset session in summer.
Surf lessons in Cornwall: your questions
How much is a surf lesson in Cornwall?
A private 2-hour surf lesson is £100 for one person, and each extra surfer adds £30, up to 8 people. All equipment is included.
Where do your surf lessons take place?
We're a mobile surf school, teaching at South Fistral in Newquay, Gwithian and Porthkidney in St Ives Bay, Perran Sands, Marazion, Perranuthnoe and Praa Sands. We choose the best beach for your level on the day.
Are your surf lessons suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. We coach complete beginners, improvers and intermediates. Most first-timers stand up in their first session, and the main thing is to have fun.
Can children have surf lessons?
Yes, from age 5, as long as a parent or guardian is in the water with them throughout.
What do I need to bring?
Just your swimwear and a towel. We provide the surfboard and a wetsuit matched to the water temperature for the time of year.
Follow us on Instagram
The good waves, the wipeouts and everything in between, at @bluebarrelsurf.