Summerleaze Beach a great place for beginners surfers. Unlike some of Cornwall’s more exposed surf beaches, Summerleaze offers smaller and more gentler waves, especially during the summer months making it a great place to learn how to surf.

The beach is a few minutes walk from the town centre of Bude town making it a popular, easy to reach and wonderfully welcoming. It is the first beach many people stumble across when visiting the town and is also the home of the famous Bude Sea Pool.

What beginner surfers love most about Summerleaze Beach is:

• Gentle breaking waves at high tide
• Smaller waves than many of the exposed beaches
• Mainly a sandy beach so no pebbles underfoot
• Lifeguard cover during the main season
• A friendly, relaxed atmosphere

Because it’s a town beach, you’re never far from cafés, toilets, or a warm drink afterwards — which makes a big difference on your first few surf days.

Mornings and afternoons are the best time of the day to surf Summerleaze Beach. The tide, weather and sea conditions also contribute towards what the waves and crowds will be like – Don’t worry, if you’re having a surfing lesson your instructor will worry about things like tides so you don’t have to.

Best time of the day to go surfing

• In the mornings the waves are often better and the beach is much quieter.
• Midday can become very crowded with lots of beach users.
• In the late afternoons and early evening the beach becomes less crowded again.

Best season for beginners

• Late spring to early autumn is ideal.
• Summer waves are generally smaller and more manageable.
• Water is cold in the winter but good wetsuits make this more comfortable.

Although the quieter parts of the day are better for surfing, we always recommend that you surf when the lifeguards are on duty. Check out the RNLI Lifeguard Dates & Times

High tide is generally the best tide for surfing at Summerleaze Beach. The tide at Summerleaze Beach comes in and out twice a day. Sometimes the tide comes in and out quite far which is known as a Spring Tide. If the tide does not come in or out very far then this is known as a Neap Tide.

Where the tide is when you go surfing, will somewhat dictate how the waves will break  – Again, if you’re having a lesson your instructor will worry about these things — so you don’t have to!

How the tide affects surfing at Summerleaze

• High tide is usually the easiest for beginners at Summerleaze as the waves are smaller and break more gently.

• Mid tide is still a good time to go but the beach becomes smaller and so less space for you to surf in. The tide also moves quickly at mid tide causing the condition on the waves to change more quickly.

• Low tide often makes the waves break faster but provides much more space for you to practice your new surfing skills.

Here are a few tips to staying safe when surfing at Summerleaze Beach:

1. Only surf when lifeguards are on duty (Click for lifeguard dates/times).
2. Take some surfing lesson with an accredited surf school. 
3. Surf with a friend or have someone on the beach that can keep an eye on you.
4. Keep your feet on the floor when you are not catching a wave. This will help you to be aware of where you are and to prevent any unwanted drifting.
5. Use a suitable surfboard for your ability and a wetsuit that is the correct thickness for the time of year.
6. Always wear a surfboard leash.
7. If you are unsure if you should or should not be going in the water then don’t. Seek advice before jumping in.

Most beginners start with a surfing lesson. It’s honestly the quickest and safest way to learn!

What a beginner surfing lesson usually includes

• A soft beginner surfboard
• A warm wetsuit
• Beach safety briefing
• Step-by-step instruction on catching waves, controlling your surfboard, standing and riding waves in to the beach.
• Plenty of encouragement (and laughs!)

Lessons are usually run in groups (check how many are in a group before booking), with instructors in the water helping you catch waves and stand up. Private surfing lessons are also available from most surf schools.

If you have had a lesson or two and are ready, there are nearby options for board and wetsuit hire, but lessons are strongly recommended for first-timers.

One of Summerleaze’s biggest perks is how easy it is to access all of the things that you will need.

Nearby you’ll find:

• Toilets and showers
• Parking close to the beach
• Cafés and food spots just minutes away
• The famous Bude Sea Pool — perfect for a post-surf dip or for kids

It’s a great beach for making a full day of it, even if only part of that day is spent surfing.