Waveskiing on the Atlantic Ocean: Cornwall, England

Waveskiing on the Atlantic Ocean: Cornwall, England

Sitting Down When the Surf’s Up

Waveskiing is like a dream come true for aspiring surfers. Instead of trying to balance while standing upright on a board, the basic premise of waveskiing is to sit down and surf. This relatively new extreme sport involves sitting on top of a sort of kayak-surfboard crossbreed, putting your legs straight ahead of you, buckling up for a bumpy ride, and using your paddles as rudders to navigate the waves. The learning curve tends to be more moderate than surfing, but the adrenaline rush can be just as high when you paddle into some major swells.

One of the best places to get your bum wet on a waveski is in Cornwall, England’s most southwesterly county. Jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean with nearly 485km (300 miles) of rocky coastline warmed by the Gulf Stream and a mild climate, Cornwall boasts some of the U.K.’s best beaches, and perhaps some of the most popular surf in Europe. This historic seaside region is home to small ports, old inns, and sweeping bays, but most remnants of the old mining and fishing industries are gone. Today, tourism is clearly the biggest business and the town of Newquay, in particular, is a virtual paradise for beach bums. Just north of Newquay, Watergate Bay is one of the hot spots for waveskiing and other watersports. The Extreme Academy (see below) rents equipment, and offers lessons for both novices and experienced surfers. As the academy’s sports manager and former world waveski champion Carl Coombes says, “Waveskiing at Watergate Bay is amazing. Throughout the year, the sand banks at the beach move around, adding to the variety and quality of the waves.”

The glorious beaches in Newquay in Cornwall are a hot spot for waveskiing.

An introductory lesson at the Extreme Academy includes a safety briefing on all the equipment you’ll use to waveski and an overview about general surf etiquette. You’ll watch a practical demonstration on the beach, go through a dry run on the sand, warm up, stretch, and hit the water. Your instructor will then offer personal coaching tips throughout the rest of your lesson.

If you can bear to dry off for a few hours, you won’t be disappointed by Cornwall’s other offerings. Check out the Tate Gallery (www.tate.org.uk/stives) outpost in St. Ives; Tintagel Castle, the legendary birthplace of King Arthur in Tintagel; the Eden Project (www.edenproject.com) in St. Austell, which boasts the world’s largest greenhouse; and the popular cycling path known as the Camel Trail, which runs from Padstow to Poley’s Bridge. After dark, top-notch restaurants and a vibrant nightlife keep visitors fully entertained. But the real thrill comes at dawn when it’s time to ride the waves again. In Cornwall, despite the many tempting distractions, almost no one stays out of the water for very long. —JS

Newquay Tourist Information Centre, Marcus Hill, Newquay ( 44/0-1637-854-020; www.visitnewquay.org and www.cornwalltouristboard.co.uk).

When to Go: May–Sept.

Newquay Cornwall Airport, a 4-hr. drive from Heathrow Airport or Gatwick Airport in London, or a 61⁄2-hr. train ride from Paddington Station in London.

$$ Watergate Bay: The Hotel and the Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay, Cornwall ( 44/0-1637-860-543; www.watergatebay.co.uk).

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