Where to Try Watersports at the North East and Yorkshire Coast
Here's where to take to the water this summer
Surf Northumberland
This mother and son team offer surf lessons at Bamburgh and Beadnell (depending on conditions). They have group lessons, one-to-one lessons, and lessons for two and provide all the equipment you’ll need (including boots and gloves when the seas are particularly chilly).
surfnorthumberalnd.co.uk
KA Surf School
KA surf offer beginner lessons (available to book online) and improvers lessons (on enquiry) from Bamburgh beach. Having said this, surfing might begin to sound a bit humdrum in comparison to some of their other activities; as well as paddle boarding, they also have kite surfing, wing surfing and coasteering which – as far as we can tell – involves treating the coastline as an obstacle course, with some thrilling jumps en route.
kaadventuresports.co.uk
Northside Surf School
Northside Surf School offer unforgettable surfing experiences at five beaches across Northumberland, including Bamburgh, Cresswell and Amble Links. Choose between group and private surf lessons, as well as stand up paddle boarding on Warkworth Estuary. Kids aged six and over can take part in group sessions, but for younger surfers you’ll need to accompany them on a one-to-one lesson.
Amble
northside-surf-school.co.uk
NE Surf
Bamburgh beach is a hot-spot for surfers and NE Surf is another great school operating from this beautiful part of the coast. They run lessons Monday–Saturday, and have dedicated kids club lessons for children that have already joined in of their regular beginner sessions or surfed before.
nesurf.co.uk
South Beach Surf School
This friendly surf club in Blyth offers beginner and improver lessons for everyone from the age of six up (providing they can swim 25 metres), but what really sets them apart is their kids’ club. Suitable for ages six–16, the kids’ club promises an action-packed two hours of surfing every day of the school holidays.
southbeachsurfschool.co.uk
Longsands Surf School
Longsands Surf School on the beach at Tynemouth holds separate kids' and adult (18+) surf lessons to help build confidence and technique. They also run a surf club and paddle boarding sessions and with all equipment available to hire, all you need do is turn up.
longsandsurf.com
Saltburn Surf School
A one-time surf lesson is always great fun, but if your kids decide they’re ready to put some more time into mastering this skill, Saltburn Surf School is a great place to start. As well as their regular group and private lessons, kids aged eight and up have the option to commit to four days of back-to-back surfing at their Junior Surf Academy.
saltburn-surf.co.uk
South Shields Surf CIC
This community interest company offers inclusive opportunities for beginner and experienced surfers. Kids between the ages of six and eight can take part in their Mini Surfers sessions, while ages eight to 16 can join a dedicated kids’ surf lesson every day of the school holidays. On weekdays during the school holidays, their holiday club takes kids aged eight upwards through a brilliant variety of water activities, from snorkelling to paddle boarding (and, of course, surfing) while developing essential water safety skills every step of the way. For those with additional needs or disabilities, their adaptive surf sessions provide extra support (including seated surfboards) so that everyone can make the most of the waves.
southshieldssurf.co.uk
Flow Surf
Get their feet wet at a beginner group lesson, and if the waves are for them they can join a community of likeminded young thrill-seekers at Saltburn’s Flow Surf’s Junior Surf Club every Sunday morning. All their lessons are suitable for children aged eight upwards, and they also run private lessons for between one and four people.
flowsurfcoaching.com
North Yorkshire Water Park
Before you dive right in at the coast, perfect your watersport skills at North Yorkshire Water Park, with opportunities for wakeboarding, paddle boarding, kayaking, open-water swimming and sailing available.
Scarborough YO13 9QU
01723 865052
northyorkshirewaterpark.co.uk
SUP Adventures
SUP Adventures is an accredited stand-up paddle board school operating at various locations on the coast including Sandsend, Saltburn, Scaling Dam and the River Esk at Whitby. Learn the basics of SUP or take improver SUP lessons that include improved paddle technique, yoga, fitness programmes and retreats.
sup-adventures.co.uk
Scarborough Surf School
Learn the ebb and flow of the waves with one of the east coast’s longest running surf schools in Cayton Bay. There are a range of individual or group surfing and paddle boarding lessons on offer, or try coasteering for an adrenaline rush – the super SUP is great for groups too.
Scarborough YO11 3NR
01723 585585
scarboroughsurfschool.co.uk
Whitby Surf School
Just 10 minutes’ from the historic seaside town, Whitby Surf School has everything you need to learn to surf or paddle board on an award-winning, Blue Flag beach. They also run a variety of surf clubs (junior, women’s and mini nippers for ages two to five).
Whitby YO21 3EN
07395 371232
whitbysurf.co.uk
