We have had a great start to our 2022 season here at Westward Waves Surf School. It's been a spring full of great weather, great waves and lots of happy customers. The sea is now feeling like it is warming up so theres never been a better time to join us.

We will be running group and private surf lessons everyday throughout May Half term so get in touch to book. Call us on 07585257451 or email [email protected]

Some snaps of Head Instuctor Mark competing at the recent RedBull Sri Lanka Ride My Wave event in Hikkaduwa!

In September and October this year North Devon area of the national children’s mental health charity The Wave Project partnered with Westward Waves Surf School to deliver a six week Surf Therapy Course at Westward Ho!, Bideford. Nine young people took to the water for the first session on Saturday 11^thSeptember, and continued to attend throughout the course.

The Wave Project began in Cornwall just over 10 years ago, and first came to North Devon in 2013. Working with partner Surf School Surf South West in Croyde, the project has flourished over the last eight years.

The Wave Project supports young people who have been referred to them for a range of different reasons including autism diagnosis, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, bullying and social isolation, challenging family life, anxiety and mental health struggles.

Through surfing, the Wave Project creates a safe space for young people to build resilience, learn new skills, make new friends, feel part of the surfing community and connect to nature. The Wave Project North Devon aspires to make everyone to feel welcome and valued – inclusivity is at the heart of everything they do. 

The Wave Project works with referrers such as schools, social workers and GP’s to pinpoint which young people need support and get it to them as soon as possible.  The local Wave Project coordinator then works with parents/carers and families to understand the needs of each child, and work out how they can best be supported during a session to access the calming and therapeutic benefits of spending time in the ocean. 
The Wave Project also works with volunteer surf mentors, whom undertake an online training, and a sea training session (and of course a DBS check). Once trained, volunteers can attend as much or as little as they like – helping the young people in the water on a 1:1 basis within a group setting. Helping to choose good waves for their young ‘surf buddy’, lending a hand after a wipeout and celebrating great rides – the role of a surf mentor can be really rewarding.

 The sea is starting to warm up the weather inproving, theres perfect waves on the forcast. No better time to join us for the surf lesson and beat the crowds. 

We had great fun with these two legends in perfect waves yesterday. Despite both surfers living in a city and having left it to thier 20's to give surfing a go, both were standing by the end of the lesson. We cant wait to see them next time for lesson number 2. 

Westward Waves surf lesson vouchers are back this year making the perfect present for those who are feeling fidgety after a year of being cooped up inside. Once we were given the get go on July 4^th, we were out daily with groups of varying abilities and ages in great conditions. So if you’ve tried once or twice before, are new to the sport or want to give the gift of surfing then get in touch to book your voucher for 2021. Lessons will be running from Easter through to the end of October. 

The school holidays are over and we've had a great summer here at Westward Waves Surf School. 

Huge thanks to everyone who joined us for surf lessons over the last 6 weeks. We will continue to run surf lessons right through until early November, so there is still plenty of time to get in the water with us this Autumn here at Westward Ho!

It's been a great week of weather and more importantly waves here at Westward Waves Surf School, and it looks like its set to continue with good surf being forecast all week. So if you are new to surfing or looking to improve there's never been a better time to join us for surf lessons.

Here's a brother V brother party wave over the weekend in the sunshine, smiles all round.

The Summer Holidays are almost upon us and there's never a better time to come surfing with us here at Westward Ho!

We have morning and afternoon lessons running every day of the week for all abilities and all ages.

Give us a call on 07585257451 to book now.

I think it is safe to say that the battle of the boot is well and truly over!

With the Westward Ho! sea temperature now at a tropical 14 degrees, and still climbing, this familiar struggle any cold water surfing fanatic must go though is now a thing of the past!

There is no easy way to get your foot into a wetsuit boot. Everyone has their preferred method from plastic bags to brute force. This is young surfer Issac came for surfing lessons with me a few weeks ago and is using the 'lay on my back and get mum to put my boot on' technique. A classic!

To book a group lesson go here - Group Lessons
To book an individual lesson go here - Individual Lessons

The last few years I have been lucky enough to work the summers here in North Devon and in the winter travel to warmer waters in pursuit of waves. The last 2 years I have spent the colder months in Indonesia. Indonesia offers warm waters, consistent waves and great food in an amazing location.

This photo of me was taken on a small island call Nias off the coast of Sumatra.

We have been so lucky with the recent run of swell. Large waves, off shore wind and sunshine.

Summers on the way.

This picture was snapped right off of the beach at Westward Ho! earlier this week.