The Deal

The team of instructors at Newquay Surfing School help wave-chasers of all abilities take to the seas in a two-hour lesson. Classes of up to eight are shown how to adopt the correct footing, remain balanced, and ride a wave from crest to shore. Wetsuits and boards are provided, and a 10% discount for accommodation at nearby Sunnyside Hotel is also up for grabs.

Groupon Asks Gareth Beckett, director of Newquay Surfing School to tell us how his mother helped sparked his passion for the sea.

G: How did you get into surfing?

"When I was nine years old – my mum had enough of me hanging around the house, so she bought me a £20 surfboard, gave me my uncle’s old two-piece diving suit and told me to ‘go learn to surf, boy’. It was a freezing cold day in mid-January, but I was instantly hooked. 24 years later, I’m still just as stoked to get a good day on the waves."

G: How did this business come about?

"Myself and my friend Adam Griffiths were speaking to a friend who owns a hotel and was looking for a surf school to become part of his business. Adam and I looked at each other and said, ‘We can do that’. He’s a pro surfer, ranked in Europe, and I had a background in business. We started with £200 and have grown from there."

G: Why is surfing worth a try?

"It’s a great way to keep fit and push yourself out of your comfort zone. It’s also a good way to catch up with friends or to gather your thoughts or clear your mind when you’re on your own."

G: What tips would you give a beginner?

"The best advice for beginners is to take a few lessons to master the basics and build confidence, and to always talk to the older guys in surf shops for advice on equipment. And for first time surfers, the bigger the board, the better."