Surfing alternative in Newquay is a unique way to see the coast
“People think coasteering is all about adrenaline,” said Dale, an instructor from Newquay Surf School, as we tiptoed along low-lying cliffs on our way out from Great Western Beach. “But its so much more than that. Coasteering can be adrenaline-fuelled, but it can be completely relaxing as well”.
I’ve never been a surfer – my coordination issues don’t allow me to catch the wave at the right time – but I love being in the sea. Coasteering, a mix of climbing, swimming, scrambling and cliff jumping – seemed like much more my cup of tea!
Here’s what the coasteering experience in Newquay was like, and how you can book it on your next trip!
What is coasteering?
Coasteering is an adventurous outdoor activity where you explore rocky coastlines by combining rock climbing, swimming and cliff jumping.
Originating in Pembrokeshire in Wales, where surfers realised that scrambling to breaks was an activity on its own, it has since gained popularity in South West England.
Coasteering involves navigating natural obstacles along the shore, moving through sea caves and swimming in open water.
Participants don helmets, wetsuits and buoyancy aids to protect against the elements and enhance safety on slippery rocks or in fast-moving currents.
Coasteering in Newquay
Coasteering tours are offered by Newquay Surfing School and begin on the sandy shores of Great Western Beach.
The surf school is located here, and all gear (except shoes – we wore old trainers that we didn’t mind getting wet) is provided.
After donning up in our gear, we walked toward the end of Great Western Beach and had a full safety briefing from Dale.
Then, it was time to get in the water!
The Coasteering Experience
First, we waded into the sea, and then swam to the first rocks. With a thick wetsuit, the September sea temperature was comfortable. After scrambling out of the sea, we explored a cave.
“This was once used for smuggling”, Dale told us. “Smugglers would store contraband here, and it’s thought that there’s a network of tunnels that lead up to the town. We won’t try to get there today though!”.
We were also shown a few different types of seaweed. “When you know how to cook it, most of the seaweed in the UK is edible!” Dale informed us, as we set about for our next scramble.
After a mix of climbing, scrambling and swimming later, we came to our first “push” jump.
This involved crouching on a low rock and pushing out from it, entering the water headfirst. Coasteering can involve a few of these types of jumps.
As we rounded the corner we saw a seal basking on one of the rocks, making the most of the sunny September weather. “They’re often spotted here”, Dale told us “but this one’s just a pup”.
After parallel scaling a cliff wall (very smugly, I managed to stay on the whole way!), it was time for our first cliff jump.
Cliff jumping
While cliff jumping is a part of coasteering, it’s not essential.
In fact, I was unsure whether I’d be able to do it.
When I was 19 years old, I foolishly did an unregulated cliff jump, without an instructor or guide, from far too high and without knowing the site. I landed back first rather than feet first and I was very lucky to not seriously injure myself (there were a couple of minutes when I was in shock in the water and thought I had).
Since then, I’d written off cliff jumping, as I’d had severe anxiety about anything involving cliffs. However, from dealing with other anxiety issues, I knew that maybe it could help to face this fear head on. It wasn’t about the cliff jumping – it was about being bigger than anxiety, as I knew I could do this in a safe, controlled environment.
Dale gently encouraged me to go to the cliff jump site, take a look and see if I wanted to do it. He jumped in first to demonstrate how to do so, and reassured me that it was a very safe site (as are all the sites Newquay Surfing School uses).
I got all the way up to the jump-off point. It looked high… but I could do it.
I jumped off. For a moment in the air, the panic returned… but then my feet pierced the water, I was immersed in the sea and bobbed to the top, and I saw the smiling faces of both Dale and Richard, my partner, from the clifftop.
I did two more jumps, one from the first spot and one slightly higher, and enjoyed both of these substantially more!
It wasn’t even about cliff jumping, but it WAS about facing my anxieties head-on. I didn’t think I’d be able to – anyone with anxiety knows how enormous and unmanageable the emotion can feel – but I’m so glad I conquered it on this day.
“That’s why I love taking people coasteering” Dale explained, as we walked back to Great Western Beach. “People do things that they didn’t think they’d be able to, and their confidence soars”.
How to go coasteering with Newquay Surfing School
Newquay Surfing School’s coasteering section on their site has all the information you’ll need. They usually run a group coasteer on a Sunday, or you can book private tours. Tours depend on the weather and tides, but they are open for most of the year!
