Sunnyside Hotel, Newquay, Cornwall

When it comes to Newquay, most people immediately think of Fistral beach. Fistral is famous the world over for its great surfing and miles of great sand, but there happens to be a great many beaches in Newquay, all of which are fantastic for their own reasons.

The one we are going to highlight here is Towan beach in Newquay. Towan beach is one of the most popular beaches in the town, and a lot of this is down to the location. Towan beach is literally a stone’s throw from the centre of Newquay town, meaning that you can have a walk through town, and pop down to the beach at any time. Conversely, if you are on the beach, but you fancy something from Towan, it is so easy to wander off the beach and into town within minutes of being in the sea! [Read more...]

If you are trying to think of a place to go on holiday within the UK, then it is difficult to look beyond Newquay. In Newquay you get so much. In a way you can have many different holiday experiences in one place. By night Newquay is such an exciting place to be, with sensational clubs and pubs, and enough booze to sink a ship, but by day you can have a totally different experience which will take you to another world entirely.

A lot of people who head to Newquay for their summer holiday decide to take surf lessons in Newquay. Obviously if you just head down to Newquay you might find it difficult to book a surfing lesson, and you might also find it difficult to know how to go about finding an appropriate surf school! However, if you book your holiday at the Sunnyside hotel, you will find that they have a partnership with the best surfing school in Newquay, which means that you can book a holiday with them in conjunction with surfing lessons during your stay. This means that you get a great price on both your surfing lessons and your holiday accommodation, which is all you can ask for really!

You will find the Sunnyside Hotel perfectly positioned for a surfing holiday, given that it looks out over the incredible Towan beach, one of Newquay’s finest beaches. There is even a surf cam available online from the hotel which watches the surf conditions from the view of the hotel!

Obviously you will find that there are various different short breaks you can take at the hotel which take in surfing lessons, and everything is very flexible, meaning that you can have as few or as many surfing lessons as you like. Obviously the more you have the better discount you will be able to get, but when you take into consideration the great prices for staying in the Sunnyside, you won’t be too worried about this!

The Sunnyside is also a great venue for a stag weekend in Newquay. As a group you can go surfing by day and clubbing by night, meaning you take advantage of what many people believe to be the best things about Newquay – the sea and the clubs! It really is a perfect destination for young people, and if sun, fun, sea and surf don’t do it for you, then there really is no hope!

With its fantastic central location and incredible views over the sea, the Sunnyside Hotel is the perfect place for groups of young people to stay. The prices are excellent, and no matter whether you are a large or small group, they will have the accommodation you need.

If you love to surf, or you even just love to watch surfers do their thing, then the best place to possibly do this in the United Kingdom is in Newquay, Cornwall. Newquay is a real hotspot for surfers, and with many beaches boasting fine golden sand and perfect surfing breaks, this is the place to be for any of you wannabe surfers out there. Throughout the year you will find some exciting surf competitions that you can go and watch, but without doubt, the highlight of the surfing calendar for people in Britain is the Relentless Boardmasters event held between the 10th and 14th of august this year. The Boardmasters week sees so much excitement in the town. As well as the fantastic surfing events which culminates in the men’s competition which has around £120,000 in prize money up for grabs, the town also comes alive with a fantastic music festival which is held near Watergate Bay, one of the top beaches in Newquay. [Read more...]

If you are planning to head down to Newquay for your holidays this summer, then you are sure to have a great time. Newquay does not have a reputation for being a party time for nothing, and in truth, if you want to party the week away, the party never has to stop in Newquay. There are a huge number of fantastic pubs and clubs in Newquay, and if you are still going strong when the clubs kick you out their doors in the early hours of the morning, there are normally beach parties going on in Newquay until the sun starts to come up! It really is that sort of destination, and although the beach parties tend to be a more relaxed affair than the clubs before hand, it can actually be a very mellow and calm way to end the night. [Read more...]

If you are heading down to Newquay for your summer holiday, you had better bring your wallet fully loaded, because once you see the vast array of surf shops, all filled with the seasons latest offerings, you will be desperate to get your hands on some authentic gear that will help you to fit right in whilst in Newquay on your holiday.

It is hard to say which of the surf shops are the best in town – most people who are out shopping will tend to walk right through the town, stopping at all of the surf shops to make sure that they don’t miss anything. Because Newquay is so compact, it is quite possible to walk from one end to the other in a comfortable half an hour, and you will pass dozens of fantastic shops as you do so. Obviously one of the best shops has to be the flagship Quiksilver store, which looks fantastic. You can’t miss the building, which has a huge Quiksilver sign outside, and once inside, it is easy to see why it is so popular. You will find a section selling surfboards and bodyboards, but most people head to the summer clothing ranges in the store, and they have a great stock. Quicksilver is obviously a great make, and as such, it is not the most affordable shop in the world, but you will find the top Quiksilver stock here. [Read more...]

Surfing, big excitement for any water sport lover and Newquay is the land where you can fulfill this dream of yours. Known as one of the finest tourist spots in Britain, Newquay is known for its sandy beaches. It has nine long beaches along the beautiful coastline that provides the Atlantic waves a way for superb surfing. This place is established as the centre of the surf industry in Britain.

The most famous beach for surfing is Fistral beach. The long tidy waves of the Atlantic are the best sight to be held on this beach.

It is a regularly visited by the surfing pro’s and you can probably get out and try your hands on surfing, as well.

Well, in case you are new to this sport, then there isn’t anything to worry about. There are lots of surf shops in Newquay where you can kit yourself out with a wet-suit and board, or if it’s only going to be a part-time sport you could always hire the gear from the shop or your surf lesson provider.

There are several surf schools and clubs in Newquay that will teach you how to surf.

Gear Requirements for surfing

You need following things with you in case you are going to join any surf school around Newquay:

• Wetsuits
• Surfboards/ Wakeboards/ Kiteboards
• Bag to keep your clothing and stuff

Make sure you safely deposit your valuable accessories in the locker or keep them safely to avoid any kind of loss or theft.

Key Attractions

There are few things which are very remarkable about Newquay’s surfing experience:

• For past 20 years it has been a host to Boardmasters Festival.
• Water Bay beach in Newquay has been host to several music festival and is other option for surfing lovers
• Fristal Beach is the most famous for its reef called Cribbar, which breaks at 20ft (6m), and rarely surfed as it requires no wind and big swell to break.
• The surf gear brand Fat Willy’s was born in Newquay itself.

So now you know something more about surfing. In case you are on a group holiday then your group can get a good discount on learning surfing as fresher. Thus, don’t miss the opportunity to experience the thrill in Europe’s best Surfing Beach.

Each year lots of holiday makers hit the beaches of Newquay, thinking surfing is easy – Well it isn’t, surfing is a dedicated sport and takes years of practice to master fully.

We would always recommend you take surfing lessons from a professional, just so you may learn the basics to get you standing and improve your overall confidence. Then it’s a matter of practice and dedication.

For beginners, please read the following tips for your safety:

Respect the Surf: Know your limits; don’t go in surf where you will feel intimidated, laying on a surfboard with a 3m wave behind you looks much larger than it really is. To a beginner this can be scary.

Respect Others: If you’re a beginner, avoid other surfers and swimmers. A surfboard can inflict a lot of damage to a fellow surfer/swimmer and can even knock you unconscious.

Equipment: A larger surfboard will be easier to practice on, also ensure you use a wetsuit. They will keep you warm, but more importantly afloat.

Fitness: For a beginner surfer, you don’t need to be super fit, but you should be a competent swimmer with stamina. Always ensure you have the fitness to be able to swim back to the shore. If you think you’re getting out of breath get back to dry land for a breather. Stamina and fitness will increase over time.

Lifeguards: Always surf where lifeguards are patrolling the beach; make sure that you keep within the designated surfing area.

Respect: Respect other surfers, always give way to a surfer already on the wave

Rips: A Rip is a very strong current; if you get caught in one do not panic. Simply paddle across the RIP (not against it).

Friends: A beginner should always go surfing with a friend, so if you do get in difficulty help is nearby.

Red Flags: If you see the RED flag, do not go in the water. Even if there is no flag but the conditions look bad, do not go in the water!

Rocks: Don’t be adventurous; stay clear of rocks when learning to surf, as you could easily be pushed into rocks or other obstructions.

Forecast: View the weather forecast first – be aware of strong winds or fog.

Warm-up: Always have a quick warm-up and stretch before entering the surf. This will reduce the risk of muscle injury or cramp while you’re surfing.

Food: To avoid cramps, do not go surfing for at least 45 minutes after a meal.

Don’t Drink and Surf: Newquay is full of pubs and clubs, for your own safety in the water do not attempt to surf (or swim) whilst under the influence of alcohol.

There are a number of good beaches situated nearby the Sunnyside Hotel; here are a few tips for your safety:

General Awareness

Always read and obey the safety signs, these are usually on a red or bright board found at the entrance to the beach (less popular beaches may not have these). These will help you avoid potential hazards on the beach and identify the safest areas for swimming.

Lifeguards

Check when lifeguards are on duty and always follow their advice. When on a lifeguarded beach, find the red and yellow flags and always swim or bodyboard between them.

Beaches / Rocks

Keep a close watch on your children, never let youngsters out of your supervision.
Do not dig really deep holes or caves within the sand; these can collapse with you inside.

Cornwall is massed with rocks and cliffs do not climb these as they are unstable and slippery.

Weaver fish have poisonous spines which if trodden on are very painful. Prevent this by wearing suitable footwear in the sea.

The tide comes in very fast, be aware of the tide times and do not get cut off. Lots of tourists get cut off whilst exploring coves or caves (or rock climbing!).
Be aware of the sun and the damage it can do to your skin, always apply sun cream, even if it doesn’t appear to be too sunny.

Swimming

Never swim alone and never swim in rough seas. If you do get into difficulty gain attention however you can by shouting and waving your hand high in the air.
Emergency Numbers

If you see someone in difficulty, never attempt a rescue. Tell a lifeguard, or, if you can’t see a lifeguard, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.