About St Ives Surf School
St Ives Surf School operates from two beach locations in one of Cornwall's most iconic seaside towns — their surf HQ sits on Porthmeor Beach directly below the Tate St Ives gallery, while their paddleboard and kayak centre is based at Porthminster Beach on the town's south side. This dual-location setup gives them access to different swell exposures and water conditions, meaning they can run sessions in almost any weather.
Surf lessons are their bread and butter, with daily sessions for beginners, intermediates, and private tuition running from Easter through autumn. Equipment is included, and ISA-qualified instructors keep ratios low. Their coasteering programme takes participants along the rocky headlands between Porthmeor and Clodgy Point, with cliff jumps, sea swims, cave exploration, and rock traversing through gullies. Stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking operate from the more sheltered Porthminster side, ideal for calmer water sessions.
The St Ives location is hard to beat — Porthmeor is a genuine town beach, meaning you can walk from shops and restaurants straight to your lesson. The school has built a strong local following alongside its tourist trade, and the combination of world-class scenery, reliable waves, and professional instruction makes it one of the most popular surf schools in West Cornwall.
