Learn To Surf

Kayak Paddle & Picnic

Kayak & Picnic

£100 pp

2 hrs
1:8
Over 8
Low
 Kayak lesson and tour complete with fresh locally sourced picnic
 Learn essential kayak skills, suitable for all ages and abilities
 Personalise your experience with a choice between ocean and river setting
 Qualified instructors and picnic provided
Are you a keen kayaker looking for adventure with a twist? Are you also looking to sample the delights of locally sourced Cornish picnic fuel?

What's Included

  •  Scenic river or ocean kayak lesson & tour
  • Qualified and knowledgeable kayak instructors
  • Picnic lunch with locally sourced Cornish pasties and drinks (all dietary requirements are catered for)
  • Hot outdoor showers and male & female toilets at HQ
  • Full safety briefing, kit familiarisation and weather condition checks
  • Wetsuits, buoyancy aids, helmets, kayaks and paddles provided
  • Heated changing rooms and secure storage for your valuables
  • Tales of the area’s rich history, biodiversity and heritage
  • 10% off further Newquay Activity Centre activities
  • Discount card for apres kayak food & drink at local bars and cafes
  • 15% off at Newquay’s Rip Curl store
  • A dog sitter if you require it. Just contact us for more details.
  • Excellent bad weather options in case of adverse conditions – we’ll get you guys in the water! This activity can go ahead in the rain – no worries!

Our Kayak Paddle & Picnic tour will begin in one of two places depending on your choice of setting. Opting for our ocean adventure will see you exploring the nooks and crannies of Newquay’s impressive coastline, whereas choosing our river option will allow you to be immersed in the beauty of the Gannel Estuary.

 

KITTING UP AND LEARNING THE BASICS

Whichever adventure you choose, the equipment allocation and safety brief remain the same. You’ll be kitted up with Rip Curl wetsuits, buoyancy aids, rash vests, helmets, kayaks and paddles either from our Newquay HQ or our off-grid river base.

 

Your instructor will guide you through the mechanics of each bit of equipment so that you’re familiar and confident with your new adventure gear. As much as we want you to have fun on the water, we also have a huge commitment towards keeping you safe. Before paddling out, your instructor will deliver a full safety brief along with a lesson in correct kayaking techniques.

 

You’ll learn how to paddle efficiently, use the tide and weather to your advantage, manage different swell sizes and how to ‘ferry glide’ if you’re on the river. You’ll also learn about water safety and any important signals that may come in handy. Your brief will finish with a short warm-up before hitting the water and setting off on your adventure!

 

ENJOY A RIVER PICNIC IN NEWQUAY

As you arrive at Penpol Creek, the first point of interest along the river route, you’ll soak in the atmosphere of this tranquil blue lagoon. It’s a haven for river wildlife, rare estuary birds and flora and fauna. Your instructor will point out rare species whilst explaining the Gannel’s rich heritage.

 

After cruising downstream and enjoying the views, you’ll moor up your kayak at the site of an old lime kiln and shipyard. Our knowledgeable instructors will teach you the history surrounding this old lime kiln and the part it played in the town’s heritage.

 

From here you’ll head into the woods and breathe in sweeping estuary views from the top of a nearby hill. It’s here that you’ll enjoy a well-earned rest and a bite to eat to help fuel the rest of your adventure. We’ll supply the Cornish pasties and liquid refreshments, all you need to do is enjoy the views!

 

Following a leisurely break, you’ll head back to your kayak and chill out with a swim before slowly returning to the tour’s starting point. Along the way, soak in those extraordinary views that channel all the way out to Crantock beach and beyond. If you’ve timed things well, you could witness a spectacular, not-to-be-missed Gannel sunset!

 

NEWQUAY’S COASTLINE

Opting for our ocean-based Paddle & Picnic Kayak Tour will provide you with a completely different but equally enjoyable experience. After kitting up and learning the basics, you will launch your kayak from a sheltered stretch of Cornish coastline to begin your adventure.

 

We launch and land from two of Newquay’s lush, semi-secret coves. The start to experience is an adventure, as we walk down a rock path to the water’s edge. It’s worth it as the scenery is breath taking, there is some incredible coastal wildlife in the area, and you really are experiencing the best of Newquay’s coastal fringe. We take the walk down to the water slowly, the kayaks will be waiting in the cove for you.

 

We pride ourselves in sharing a well-rounded learning experience, which will on many tours see you given the opportunity to experience both a double and single kayak. If you start in a double kayak but want to try a single, we swap mid-way on either one of the secret beaches that we visit or in the ocean environment. We cannot guarantee that you will have a single or a double kayak for the duration of the tour. But will have the opportunity to experience both, or one or the other.

 

Prepare to see Newquay like never before as imposing cliffs, caves, coves and crags come into view around every corner. Follow your instructors lead as they teach you how to paddle effectively so you can glide through the water with ease. Witness the marine ecosystem in its natural habitat as you watch the wildlife from a distance. Experiencing the joys of the ocean from a kayak is an enjoyable and rewarding way of spending time with close friends or even like-minded strangers.

 

Explore the forgotten footsteps of gin-smuggling pirates, silently gaze upon native wildlife in its natural habitat and witness hidden caves once used for storing plunder. Our highly passionate instructors will teach you all they know about their beloved Newquay, leaving you with a new-found appreciation for the Cornish coast.

 

You will then find a suitable place to anchor down and enjoy lunch. Swap the paddle for a pastie and enjoy a well-earned break while you soak in the views. It’s not every day you get to sample local ingredients whilst looking back at the very land that they came from; savour the moment!

Newquay Activity Centre takes kayaking seriously; we have the qualifications and experience to consistently maintain a high level of safety and fun. We are a two-time Gold winner at the Cornwall Tourism Awards and a Gold award winner at the South West Tourism Awards. Our kayak lessons and adventures in Newquay are days-out to remember!

 

With safety at the forefront of our lessons, we must advise that children under the age of 8 are welcome to kayak with us, but they should be accompanied by an adult and book onto a Private or Family Kayak Tour.

 

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS EXTREME WEATHER?

We are super fortunate to operate many of our activities in the shelter of Towan beach or the Gannel Estuary. We choose the tide and weather times that deliver the very best conditions for kayak tours. However, we are at the mercy of Mother Nature and sometimes she may have different plans for us. We always check the forecasted conditions but if the wind or swell picks up unexpectedly, we may need to change the time or location of your tour. Alternatively, we can move your booking onto a different activity, safe from unsuitable or dangerous kayak conditions.

 

Over 95% of our tours go ahead unaffected by the weather but, in the unlikely event that this does happen, we have excellent back-up options for you to choose from. If we need to amend your kayak booking due to adverse weather, we will let you know in advance. (No need to call us). We appreciate your understanding.

 

NEWQUAY ACTIVITY CENTRE

Our purpose-designed centre, conveniently located near Towan beach, is your one-stop shop for ocean adventure activities in Newquay. We’re not in the business of just making a quick buck. When you book with Newquay Activity Centre, you get the care, attention, knowledge and feedback that you need.

 

On site we have hot outdoor showers, heated changing rooms, lockers, separate male and female toilets and clothing storage. We also have a hire centre for all of your needs after your lesson. Extend your days fun and check out our hire equipment.

 

Book online today or contact us via our online chat where our friendly team will be more than happy to answer your questions. Book tomorrow’s activity today!

ALWAYS WANTED TO LEARN TO SURF?

Have you always dreamed of learning to surf? Is riding inside a tube on your bucket list? Or maybe you’re interested in what all the fuss is about with this surfing malarkey. Well look no further, visit our Newquay Surf School and prepare to get truly addicted! Here at the Newquay Activity Centre Surf School we offer an exhilarating Taster lesson aimed at first time surfers of all ages and abilities.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Our Taster Surfing Lessons introduce you to this super-cool and fun sport, teaching you the basics from beach safety to stand up surfing. You’ll get suited up in toasty-warm Rip Curl wetsuits and ID vests in our heated changing rooms. We also have safety lockers to store your clothes and valuables before heading down to Towan Beach. We use premium quality Swell foam surfboards for our Taster Surfing Lessons as they offer the most stable platform on which to learn.

THERE IS NO BETTER TIME TO START SURFING

“Am I too old? …I’m terrible at sport!” I hear you cry. Well, in fact, it’s never too late OR too early to start surfing! Regardless of age, background, experience or even balance, surfing is an enjoyable and accessible sport for everyone. With our highly qualified and enthusiastic instructors, we’re confident that you’ll have an enjoyable first blast – and we’re sure you’ll be coming back for another fix! Be warned, it’s addictive!

The Newquay Activity Centre is the longest running surf school in Newquay. We use a 1:8 ratio of teachers to students so surfers can receive the attentive tuition they need. We’re also a certified Surfing England Centre of Excellence.

All our surfing lessons and courses have been designed by British Surf Team Coach, Rob Barber. This means that when you learn to surf with us you’re guaranteed the highest level of unparalleled tuition in the industry.

We have a brand new centre, designed in 2021, conveniently located near Towan beach. We have hot outdoor showers, heated changing rooms, lockers, separate male & female toilets, lock boxes for valuables and clothing storage. We also boast a brand new hire centre for all of your post-lesson ocean needs.

We recommend booking in advance, especially if you’re planning on visiting during peak season. Book online today or contact us via our online chat and our friendly team will be more than happy to answer your questions. Book tomorrow’s adventure today!

Book Now

If you don’t see availability for the date you would like then please contact us using our Online Chat or by calling 01637 877722

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