About Us
Newquay Activity Centre is based at the home of UK surfing; Newquay in Cornwall. Founded in 1996 we have been operating for over 29 years.
We are one of the longest running Surf Schools and Activity Centres in the country, and are proud to be the winners of the Trip Advisor Travellers Choice Award 9 years in a row, multiple winners of the Cornwall Tourism Award and a recipient of the South West Tourism Award.
We are open 12 months of the year, 7 days a week (although we do take Christmas day off), so if you want to learn to surf or improve your surfing, then look no further. We are one of the only Newquay Surf Schools to offer daily outback / intermediate lessons as well as beginner lessons.
All our instructors are ISA Surf Coach qualified and SLSGB Trained, this means you can be certain you are receiving the best possible tuition from qualified instructors and qualified Beach lifeguards. We provide lessons for individuals, families and small or large groups (hen and stag parties are very welcome!).
Our founder and director Rob Barber has coached the English and British Surf Team, not to mention being multiple English and one time European bodyboard champion. He has over 40 years of experience in the water, having surfed all over the globe in some of the worlds best waves.
Established In 1996
We're the longest running surf school & activity centre in Newquay!
Award Winning
We've won the South West Tourism Award and Cornwall Tourism Award multiple times!
Customer Satisfaction
We have almost 4,000 5 star reviews across TripAdvisor and Google!
Where did it all begin?
How Newquay Activity Centre became the No1 Activity Centre in Newquay.
Our Story
The year is 1995 and Newquay Activity Centre’s founding father, Rob Barber, is island hopping around the equator chasing the best waves that paradise has to offer. Rob grew up in Newquay but carved a professional bodyboarding career that took him around the world in search of competition titles, magazine covers and epic waves.
Despite Rob living out his very own Endless Summer, the call of his Cornish homeland forever echoed in the back of his mind. Rob had enjoyed a long and successful career in bodyboarding and thought it was about time to invest in his hometown community. The pull of the legendary surf in Newquay proved too strong and so, with a Business Management degree under his belt and a wealth of international bodyboarding experience, Newquay Activity Centre was born.
The Beginning
Straight from the off, it was decided that Newquay Activity Centre wasn’t just going to be another surf school on the beach. The team’s passion for the ocean was far too strong to be confined to just one or two activities. Phone calls were made, professional bodyboarders were invited and international surf champs were bought in to coach a new and excited team of instructors.
The biggest names from the world of surfing have worked for Newquay Activity Centre and it’s their experience that have helped us build the best surf lessons on offer. Pro surfers such as Russell Winter, Ben Skinner and Johnny Fryer were all part of those early days and it’s these professional standards that have been upheld since the very beginning of our journey.
To open up the adventure to everyone, Newquay Activity Centre didn’t just stop at surf lessons and bodyboarding; there was a whole new layer of activities to add. From kayaking and coasteering, to stand up paddle boarding and snorkelling; the wide range of activities on offer has helped thousands of customers find something uniquely enjoyable for them.
Our Achievements
From its incredible beginnings, Newquay Activity Centre has come a long way. Our innovation has kept up pace with the new activities as they land with the turning of the season. We’re also more than a little proud of our top-notch reputation for the way in which we look after our customers, coastline and community.
We’re Tripadvisor’s number one activity provider in Newquay, three-time gold winners of the Cornwall Tourism Awards Winners and two-time silver winners of the South West Tourism Awards.
Our awards cabinet is suitably filled, but helping our guests have an absolute blast on the water is what keeps us ticking. It’s super cheesy we know but seeing you smile makes us smile! Our instructors have a range of techniques up their sleeves to help everyone get the most out of their lesson and bust some personal targets. It doesn’t matter if you’re a total beginner or a seasoned pro; our instructors will be able to boost your skill level and confidence. A safety-first ethos comes guaranteed, as does a care for the environment.
From The Heart
We love Newquay as much as we love water sports; they go hand-in-hand. From the awesome surf to the golden sands and jaw-dropping coastline, Newquay is the best place for water sports in Cornwall. And when it comes to beaches, we’re of course among Fistral’s legion of fans, but Towan Beach is definitely our sweet spot.
It’s our closest beach and it’s where you’ll find us most of the time. It’s the gateway to the Gazzle, an amazing 2km stretch of Atlantic coastline rich in wildlife, history and character, and enjoys the benefit of being both a harbour and an open water location. It doesn’t get much better than this – find out more in our ultimate guide to Newquay Beaches.
Training Centre
Do you dream of waking up every day to go to a job you love? Take your future into your own hands and turn your passion into a profession with Newquay Activity Centre’s Outdoor Activity Instructor Training Course. Based in Newquay, Cornwall, this in-depth training course will give you the tools you need to become an effective outdoor professional and set you up for a life of expertise in open-air action!
If you think a life of adventure and outdoor exploration is for you, check out our Outdoor Instructor Training.
Experts In Outdoors
We are licensed by AALA (Adventure Activities Licensing Authority) and are a recognised Training centre for SLSGB (Surf Life Saving Great Britain), the only one in Newquay.
Our instructors are trained and qualified to the following standards:
- International Surfing Association Level 1 or Level 2
- SLSGB Beach Lifeguard
- In house trained to use GoPro’s and to deliver specific Newquay Activity Centre lesson packages
- Instructors have followed our 3 week Intensive Surf Instructor Course or our 3 month long Outdoor Activity Instructor Academy Course
- Many of our surf instructors are also signed off in house to deliver video analysis and surf skate training
We teach the teachers,
we train the trainers
For over 20 years our knowledgeable and passionate coaches have pioneered the training of surfing, bodyboarding and coasteering instructors.
Our Team
Our team is at the heart of everything we do. Made up of passionate, highly qualified instructors, each member brings a wealth of experience, local knowledge, and a genuine love for the ocean. From your first welcome to your final wave, we’re here to make you feel safe, supported, and fully immersed in the adventure.
Rob Barber
I studied at Cornwall College through Plymouth Uni. Achieving a degree in Business and Finance.
I’ve competed at bodyboarding since I was 13. I won my first open division age 14. Then became obsessed with bodyboarding and competed all over the country then the world.
My best year I won 11 events in the UK and internationally. My best result ever was ranking the highest European in the World professional championships at Pipeline. I won over 30 events when I was competing full time.
Turning my attention to coaching I became the coach for the English, then the British surfing team. I coached the team at the World Surfing Games in Ecuador, South Africa, Portugal, France. USA and Brazil. The highlight was coaching the team to their best result of 8th place at the World Championships in California. This result still stands as the best they have ever had.
I have written and edited 4 books on surfing and bodyboarding. Two of which have gone on to be best sellers in their area of specialty.
I live in Newquay, enjoy surfing and bodyboarding with my family. My daughter Mila is working hard on her surfing, and we try to get in the water as much as we can. My son is a bodyboarder who is learning to love the ocean. My partner Claire loves to surf with me when she can. We spend as much time at the beach as possible in the UK or on international trips.
Watersport Qualifications
ISA Surf Instructor Level 2
SLSGB Beach Lifeguard
British Canoe Paddle Sports Leader Award
Jacob Waller
I did the OAIC course in September of 2021, since then I have worked at Newquay Activity Centre as well as other activity providers in Newquay for 2 years and I am starting my third year now. In that time I have travelled to Indonesia twice and explored the islands bodyboarding some of the best waves out there. I have body boarded since I was young however, since moving to Newquay from London I have taken it up further and progressed more. When the waves are small around Cornwall you will probably see me out Surfing as I am constantly looking to improve as well and eventually be able to surf on the bigger days instead of bodyboarding.
Watersport Qualifications
ISA Surf Instructor Level 1
SLSGB Beach Lifeguard (NVBLQ)
Paddlesports Leader
SSUP Instructor
Bodyboard Instructor
Bodysurfing and Hand planing Instructor
Coasteer Lead
Cornwall Castaway Instructor
Cornish Challenge Instructor
Snorkel Guide
Alan Stokes
For those with even the slightest bit of interest in British surfing, Alan Stokes will need no introduction. Having won countless surfing competitions, and being widely regarded as one of the UK’s best surfers, 3 x British Champion Alan (or ‘Stokesy’ as he prefers to be called) is a major contributor to the Newquay Activity Centre surf coaching team.
Watersport Qualifications
SLSGB Beach Lifeguard (NVBLQ)
ISA Surf Coach Level 1
Amy Kendall
Amy is one of our most experienced instructors. She is a firm favourite with our guests as our reviews show. She enjoys the outdoor life and lives for the next adventure!
Watersport Qualifications
SLSGB Beach Lifeguard (NVBLQ)
ISA Surf Instructor Level 1
Coasteer Lead Instructor
Paddlesports Leader
Kayaking
SSUP Instructor
Bodyboard Instructor
Cornish Challenge Instructor
Bushcraft
Snorkel Guide
James Nutbrown
I grew up loving the water, spending a lot of time river and sea kayaking as a youngster. I always enjoyed surfing, bodyboarding and learning about the costal ecology so I moved to Newquay when I was 19 to follow my passions and have since travelled Europe, Morocco, Indonesia to surf the best waves. I started teaching water sports in 2021 following the outdoor instructor academy at Newquay Activity Centre and have enjoyed sharing the stoke every moment!
Watersport Qualifications
ISA Surf Instructor Level 1
SLSGB Beach Lifeguard
Paddlesports Leader
Outdoor first aid
Safeguarding
BSc Hons marine aquaculture.
Matt Hawken
Born and bred in Cornwall, Matt has been a keen bodyboarder for over 30 years and has travelled all over the world chasing waves. He has a deep understanding of the weather and surf conditions around Cornwall and is our go to guy for getting a surf report! Having created one a website on bodyboarding in the infancy of the internet, he has taken this passion and turned it into a career. When the surf is flat, Matt enkoys spearfishing, cycling and running.
Qualifications
First Aid at Work
Google Certified
Alex Warrington
I have been a kayaking for the past decade on a few different rivers and lakes, constantly outdoors with nature and always ready to go on another hike without notice. I did the OAIA course April 2023 and was able to turn the hobbies into career.
Watersport Qualifications
SLSGB Beach lifeguard (NVBLQ)
Paddle sports leader
Nige Strawbridge
I travelled extensively during service with the RAF for 31 years. Since leaving the military I have carried out H&S management ands auditing in multi-national companies, the NHS, Cornwall Council Education H&S Auditing and advising Department.
Qualifications
NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health
Training Needs Analysis Practitioner
Quality and Health and Safety Auditor
Speak to our team and start your adventure
29 Years Of Award Winning Experiences
With over 29 years experience as a leading adventure provider, we have been grateful to be recognised for a series of awards
Since 1996 •
Our Achievements
From its incredible beginnings, Newquay Activity Centre has come a long way. Our innovation has kept up pace with the new activities as they land with the turning of the season. We’re also more than a little proud of our top-notch reputation for the way in which we look after our customers, coastline and community.
We’re Tripadvisor’s number one activity provider in Newquay, three-time gold winners of the Cornwall Tourism Awards Winners and two-time silver winners of the South West Tourism Awards.
Our awards cabinet is suitably filled, but helping our guests have an absolute blast on the water is what keeps us ticking. It’s super cheesy we know but seeing you smile makes us smile! Our instructors have a range of techniques up their sleeves to help everyone get the most out of their lesson and bust some personal targets. It doesn’t matter if you’re a total beginner or a seasoned pro; our instructors will be able to boost your skill level and confidence. A safety-first ethos comes guaranteed, as does a care for the environment.
From The Heart and our love of Newquay
We love Newquay as much as we love water sports; they go hand-in-hand. From the awesome surf to the golden sands and jaw-dropping coastline, Newquay is the best place for water sports in Cornwall. And when it comes to beaches, we’re of course among Fistral’s legion of fans, but Towan Beach is definitely our sweet spot.
It’s our closest beach and it’s where you’ll find us most of the time. It’s the gateway to the Gazzle, an amazing 2km stretch of Atlantic coastline rich in wildlife, history and character, and enjoys the benefit of being both a harbour and an open water location. It doesn’t get much better than this – find out more in our ultimate guide to Newquay Beaches.
Trusted by the best
Keeping our standards high
From day one we’ve focussed our efforts on customer satisfaction and safety above all else. We set out to create a business that would provide the very best experience in outdoor adventure, and the recognition from our peers over recent years has solidified our intent.
Over the years we have of the achieved significant recognition of our customer satisfaction, we have won the Trip Advisor Travellers Choice Award 9 years in a row, we are multiple winners of the Cornwall Tourism Award and a recipient of the South West Tourism Award.
It’s incredibly humbling to be handed these awards, they are a constant reminder of the hard work that our teams consistently provide year after year. If you’ve ever experienced a top surf instructor, an energetic coasteering guide or some friendly customer service in the office, it’s because our guys are the best of the best and they love coming into work!
We’re happy if you’re happy and we hope to continue our success long into the future. Check out our list of accreditations and awards below:
We’re proud of our reviews
We’re number 1 on Tripadvisor for activities in Cornwall, and our 5 star average ranking on google speaks for itself.
Don’t just take our word for it though, read some of our customers reviews below… And if you’ve had a great time with us then please do leave a review on either Tripadvisor, Google or Trustpilot.
As featured in
“NAC organises snorkel stand up paddle board adventures around the Gazzel which is such a beautiful and dramatic stretch of coastline. In the capable hands of our instructor, my wife and I were given guidance on how to manoeuvre the board close to the waters edge so there was no prior experience necessary”
Warren Wilkins, Newquay Voice
“As featured in Lonely Planet’s Make It Happen guide to Cornwall Lonely Planet Traveller, September 2017”
Jane Labous, The Lonely Planet
“I paddle further into the clear water as kittiwakes wheel overhead. A grey seal pops his glistening head just metres from me, before retreating beneath the ripples. Sea Kayaking allows you to experience from a different perspective. Paddling up to ancient rock faces that walkers and most tourists don’t see”
Will Hide, The Times
“‘Paddle!’ shouts Rob. It seems to me that I hang for a moment on the crest of the wave, suspended above the drop – it’s only about five foot but it looks enormous. Gosh, I think, peering down and then I’m off, me and my board divvying down the cool blue edge of the wave. I can feel its contours, every change and movement of it. It’s a wonderful feeling like being part of the wave itself.”
Jane Labous, Cornish Guardian
“Bodyboard instruction will see you progress fast, you’ll be out back catching the unbroken swells, before you know it you’ll score your first tube ride.”
Louise Searle, Surfgirl
“The atmosphere is perfect, bodyboarding is a minority sport and this is a chance to meet like-minded people. You get less benefits surfing on your own, when you bodyboard with more people your confidence grows and you progress, the instruction really works.”
Rebecca Stott, Newquay Voice
“The beaches around Newquay in Cornwall offer some of the best year-round surf in the world, bodyboarding is fast gaining popularity as it’s easier and more accessible than its sister sport of surfing, Rob Barber and his team will show you how.”
Gary Weeks, Daily Mirror
“After six days of surfing, beachside yoga and a whole lot of fun, I’m feeling fit and invigorated. I’ve come a long way. I’m braver, I can catch a wave and I’ve made at least one lifelong surf-buddy. Bodyboarding? I’d say it’s ‘totally sick’…”
Jane Labous, Zest Magazine
“Rob has helped me loads, but specifically in my competition surfing, and in nailing certain manoeuvres. The video analysis sessions are an excellent way to see what you are doing wrong, or how to improve certain aspects of your riding.”
Lisa Scott, This Is Cornwall
Start your adventure today!
Special guests
Here at Newquay Activity Centre we’ve been lucky enough to welcome national athletes, Hollywood actors, TV stars, town councillors and active military personnel. We love introducing people to the great outdoors and, celebrity or not, the benefits of spending time by the ocean with our award-winning instructors is ever-present.
We’ve also built many relationships with local and global businesses that we are super proud to support and maintain. Most notably is our relationship with one of the largest surf brands in the world – Rip Curl.
Read on to find out a bit more about our sponsors, customers and celebrity visitors!
Sponsored by Rip Curl since 2005
Our companies’ ethoses align perfectly and we’re stoked to have such a well-established outdoor brand by our side.
Having had the ultimate advocates of The Search as our official sponsor over all these years, it’s meant that we’ve been able to supply our customers with the latest and greatest in wetsuit technology each and every season.
As a customer of Newquay Activity Centre, as well as being kitted out in the best wetsuits on the market, you will also receive an exclusive 15% discount at Newquay’s Rip Curl store on Bank Street. Why not treat yourself to some discounted goodies while you’re in town?
Our relationship with Rip Curl has grown from strength to strength and we have exciting plans for the future. See the video to find out more from Rip Curl’s sales manager Sean Harris.
England Ruby Team
In the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup in Japan, Newquay Activity Centre was contacted by the RFU to create a bespoke training package for the England Rugby Team. In association with RAF St Mawgan, we put together a selection of ocean challenges to help test the elite athletes outside of their natural comfort zone.
The players took to the water using rescue tubes, rescue boards and stand up paddleboards during a series of lifeguarding and life saving drills. These challenges took place a world away from the relative comfort of terrafirma, and so the testing nature of the ocean was an ideal platform to display their teamwork.
The aim was to test their mental and physical strength and coach Eddie Jones was impressed with the results. The overall process helped towards the team selection for the Rugby World Cup and we think that the Newquay coastline played its own special part.
To cap the day off, the team were picked up for an adrenaline-fuelled ride on Odyssey Marine’s 200hp RIB jet boat! Watch the England Rugby Team’s day out on Towan beach in the video below.
Mayor Louis Gardiner
As part of our development programme and for a fresh start in 2021, Newquay Activity Centre moved premises to one of the most desirable and up-and-coming areas of the town centre – Fore Street. Our purpose-designed HQ is now ideally located within walking distance to Towan Beach, Fistral Beach, Newquay Bay as well as the bustling town centre itself.
To help cut the red ribbon for our grand opening, we invited a few special guests including Councillor and Newquay Town Mayor Louis Gardiner. We were proud to welcome such an important figure of the Newquay area and delighted to share his enthusiasm for local businesses in the vicinity. The Mayor made these comments during his warm visit:
“It’s absolutely fantastic to see a Newquay based business expanding in such uncertain times. Newquay Activity Centre is a real success story of the town, employing local people and supporting the local economy. I’m sure that with their new premises they will go from strength to strength”.
RAF St Mawgan
Our relationship with the military dates back many years and we’re proud to have a solid partnership with the local RAF base at St Mawgan. Newquay Activity Centre share’s the military’s core values of teamwork, camaraderie, adventure and self-confidence and we believe the ocean is a fantastic place to build these aspects.
Throughout the years we have also developed many bespoke training adventure days for military personnel. With the help of our ex-forces office manager Hannah, we have been able to create and deliver adventure training along the coastline of Newquay to challenge even the most elite teams in the country.
For our relocation grand opening in 2021, our esteemed guests and good friends included RAF Wing Commanders Jolyon Goodwin and Marshall Kinnear. Wing Commander Goodwin had this to say about Newquay Activity Centre:
“Newquay Activity Centre has provided the RAF’s Robson Resilience Centre, located at RAF St Mawgan, with fantastic support in recent years offering programmes that will help develop leadership, interpersonal skills and resilience. It’s great to see the centre going from strength to strength and we look forward to a continuing relationship.”
Terri Hatcher
The UK’s surf capital doesn’t just attract excited frothers and nomadic campervan owners, it also has a special place in the heart of Hollywood actresses!
During the summer of 2018, Desperate Housewives and The New Adventures of Superman star Teri Hatcher paid us a visit for a surf lesson with a celebrity twist.
Teri was in the UK, and more specifically Cornwall, whilst filming her YouTube series Van Therapy. Teri was a huge fan of the Cornish coast and after taking to her first lesson like a pro, she came back for a second day of surfing with Newquay Activity Centre!
“Cornwall is so beautiful and I am so excited to be here. I’m shooting my YouTube series for the first time outside of the US and I can’t wait to get started.”
Giving back
On top of reducing plastic waste, encouraging customers to bring sustainable water bottles and developing a range of educational eco-focussed activities, we have incorporated a variety of active practices to help minimise our footprint on the planet.
Collaboration with Mossy Earth
Newquay Activity Centre are proud to have teamed up with real-world eco-superheroes Mossy Earth.
To try and off-set the negative consequences of deforestation around the world, Mossy Earth is hard at work replanting native trees and rebuilding natural habitats. Read more about our collaboration.
Recycling Wetsuits
As an ocean-based activity provider, we’ve collected our fair share of neoprene. Although not yet widely accepted by local waste facilities, neoprene can be broken down and turned into new fabrics, making it completely recyclable! When our wetsuits are looking a little worse for wear, we either repair, sell, donate or, with the help of our sponsor Rip Curl, recycle wherever we can.
Fundraising Events
Thanks to our annual New Year’s Eve Charity Fundraiser, we choose a worthy recipient each year to benefit from the proceeds of our event. This is a fun and immersive way of getting the community involved and excited as well as raising money for some great causes.
With the military holding a special place in our hearts, our most recent Charity Coasteer was organised to raise funds for SSAFA – an organisation that helps the military community readjust to civilian life post-service. We also support the RNLI and local charites such as the ‘Help Izzy Walk’ appeal.
Military Partnerships
As part of our ongoing support for active service men and women, veterans, reservists and military families, we have developed and discounted an entire range of coastal Adventure Training activities for all branches of the armed forces.
As well as this we support the Army, RAF and Navy surf teams with six separate coaching days for their elite surfers each year. It’s a nice way for us to give back. We supply free activities to military families each summer through our relationship with RAF St Mawgan.
As an alternative to basecamp training, the breathtaking Newquay coast provides a picturesque place in which to push boundaries and boost camaraderie. In 2018, we also signed an official military covenant to reinforce our support of Britain’s troops.
Supporting Local Schools
We all know that setting your kids off in the right direction is the best start they can have in life. For schools in the Newquay area, we also want to make sure they receive the best knowledge and inspiration they can when it comes to the coast.
As part of our commitment to spreading the message of sustainability, we have developed a wide range of exciting-yet-educational coastal activities for schools at a discounted rate. The future of the planet is in our children’s hands, let’s make sure they receive the education they deserve.
Beach Cleans
As part and parcel of every activity we deliver, our instructors are always keen to spread the word of sustainability. Our whole team spend their days on these shores and it’s only right that we do our bit to keep it clean. A regular practice of ours is to to conduct ‘2-minute beach cleans’ either as colleagues or with customers and we also prescribe to the ‘Take Three from the Beach’ mentality to clear litter from our coast as we deliver our activities. It’s an easy and effective way of giving back to our little corner of Cornwall.
Newquay Watersports
From beginner surf lessons in Newquay at Fistral Beach and Great Western Beach to adrenaline-fuelled coasteering along the Cornish coastline, our award-winning centre is a leading choice for watersports and outdoor activities in Newquay, Cornwall. We cater for solo travellers, families, stag and hen parties, school groups, and corporate team building in Newquay, delivering high-energy sessions tailored to all abilities.
