Main photo: ImageCabin @danmullins
Learning to surf – especially with kids - can be such a palaver. First you have to navigate tourist traffic to reach the coast. Then you need to wait for the right conditions (not ideal when you’re on a fleeting weekend break). Finally, once you actually make it into the ocean, you’re faced with spending most of your time battling your way out through the energy-sapping white water.
Happily, there is an easier way…The Wave.
An inland artificial surfing lagoon near Bristol, The Wave opened at the end of 2019, but the pandemic meant it had a tough opening year and many visitors had to wait to experience their first ocean-free surf. Living in the land-locked Midlands, hours away from any surf beaches, I’ve been desperate to try it out. And when my teen daughter and I finally made it there this summer, it didn’t disappoint.
No day-long trek to North Cornwall or Devon required. No traffic jams or narrow lanes to navigate. No over-priced car park to pay for. After a straightforward motorway journey, we simply turned off the M5 and a few minutes later we were there. All we had to deal with was a 10-minute walk up a long, smooth driveway from the car park to the entrance to the lagoon. Top tip: bring a skateboard. That driveway is crying out to be skated on and we could only watch with envy as the staff cruised past on longboards.
It’s learn-to-surf paradise.
We approached the entrance with the same excitement we would craning for a first glimpse of the sea on a seaside holiday. We heard waves before we saw them and once past the stylish reception area, uber-cool shop and café that oozes surf-vibes, we got our first view of the waves. WOW.
Wave after impossibly perfect wave rolled towards us, fanning out across a pizza-shaped lagoon. A ripple of excitement shot through me. This is why we were here. Where else can you find perfect, predictable waves designed for your exact level of ability? The Wavegarden Cove technology at The Wave generates up to 1,000 consistent waves an hour, with heights starting at 50cm and peaking at 1.8m depending on your ability. On top of this beginner-friendly consistency, there’s also a calm channel where rookie surfers can simply wade back out without being repeatedly pummelled by breaking waves (making it oh-so-much-easier for kids). You may only have an hour in the water, but it’s an intense hour uninterrupted by the hassle of paddling back out through ferocious white water. It’s learn-to-surf paradise.
Land training
Keen to get started, we checked in and were handed wetsuits, helmet and board. Unusual though a helmet is for surfing, it makes sense for beginners here because of the smooth but unforgiving concrete floor. It does take a few leaps off the board to fall 'correctly' and get used to the fact there’s no soft, sandy landing. But after a few times you get familiar with it.
Once we’d slipped (or fought) our way into our wetsuits we headed to the edge of the lake to meet the rest of our rookie group and our instructor Matthieu. Looking every inch the surf dude, with sun-bleached floppy hair and dazzling smile, Matthieu put everyone at ease in an instant with his laid-back charm and friendly French drawl. Within minutes of our lagoon-side lesson starting we all knew the basics of the board, the simple rules of the lagoon and how to position ourselves on the board.
Aiming to lay down as much muscle memory as possible during our short land-based training, Matthieu had us all practising the lying down, paddling and popping-up motions on repeat. Although not quite second-nature, by the time we got into the water, most of us were at least fairly confident we could remember the process reasonably well.
Taking the plunge
Wading out into the water is a strange experience at The Wave. Before the waves are switched on, it’s just a huge outdoor swimming pool. Getting out to the wave catching zone is easy. But there’s also the excitement and trepidation that comes with knowing the surf is only moments away.
‘Quick, come and lie on your board ready,’ beckoned Matthieu. ‘The first wave is the most powerful so make the most of it.’
Suddenly my daughter squealed as she heard the waves switch on. And they didn’t start small and build. They they were. Perfect, consistent waves from the first. She was off, paddling furiously with her hands until she felt the wave, then a panicked pop-up, wobble and splash! Each one of us who followed in a frantic scramble to get on board did exactly the same.
‘There is no need to panic,’ reassured Matthieu as we waded back out. ‘You have plenty of time. Just take it slow and smooth.’
The learning curve in surfing is scarily steep. But at The Wave you can climb it so much faster.
After the first few waves, this message started to hit home. It really was nothing like learning to surf in the ocean where panicking often feels like the only option. Out here in this controlled, calm environment, it is much easier to slow things down and take your time. It really helps not having to brave that energy-sapping paddle-out through white water. My youngest son, who detests the brain freeze of being hit in the face by ocean waves, would flourish here.
As we walked back out each time through the channel of calmer waters, we had chance to think about what went wrong and what to focus on next wave. By about the sixth wave, we were both comfortable with getting up to standing and even managing to stay upright for a few seconds. By the end of the hour, we were nailing it almost every time. Out in the sea, it would have taken us hours longer to get to the same point (if exhaustion hadn’t forced us to give up by then).
Our final attempt (which we are warned in advance would be our last wave), saw us catch the wave together and cruise in on a kind of victory surf. Bliss. How often does that happen in the unpredictable wild surf? With controlled, consistent waves, it was so much simpler. The learning curve in surfing is scarily steep. But at The Wave you can climb it so much faster.
Hanging out
With huge smiles on our faces, we left the lagoon, peeled off our wetsuits and jumped in the lakeside showers.
‘Mum! Next to you,’ my daughter started making frantic faces at me, urging me to turn around. ‘Look! Don’t make it obvious!’
I turned around only to be greeted with a familiar face I couldn’t place.
‘Who is it?’ I mouthed.
‘Ben-e-dict Cumber-batch!’ mouthed my daughter back.
Sure enough, stripped to the waist down in the shower beside me was Benedict Cumberbatch himself. He smiled. I smiled back. It didn't even occur to me to take a selfie, ask for an autograph or compare him to his Dr Strange alter-ego. Surfing is a great leveller and we were just two surfers enjoying the post-surf stoke.
Whether it’s Hollywood actors, seasoned surf gods or first timer families, The Wave is one of those places where everyone is on the same wavelength. It doesn’t matter who you are or what level you’re at, everyone is there for the same reason.
It doesn’t matter who you are or what level you’re at, everyone is there for the same reason.
I think that’s why we found it hard to leave once we were done. The easy vibe is so relaxed, laid-back and breezy that you just want to hang around and soak it up. We browsed the surf shop with it’s gorgeous accessories, clothes and jewellery. We refuelled on a long, late, lazy lunch of veggies, dips and rustic chunky chips in the café overlooking the lake. And we strolled the nature path around the lagoon, all the while mesmerised by the meditative quality of the perfectly-spaced waves.
You only need a couple of hours here to make the most of a lesson, but it’s very easy to make a day of it.
For families wanting to maximise their time by the sea, I can’t recommend a surf lesson at The Wave beforehand highly enough. You could even make it the first stop of your seaside holiday. Handily positioned just off the M5, it makes a perfect rest point for many en route to Devon or Cornwall. Have a lesson in the waves here on the way and you’ll be able to make the most of your time on the real things.
Cathy was a guest at The Wave. Beginner lessons cost from £70 for adults and £60 for children (age 6+) and include half an hour land training and an hour in the water.