UK & EUROPE
2019 TRAVEL GUIDE

Summer Tripping

Are you feeling the urge to wet your rails somewhere new? Check out our latest online guide.Are you feeling the urge to wet your rails somewhere new? Check out our latest online guide.

There are multiple options for surf staycations in the UK and Europe. It’s not a humblebrag to state we have one of the most spectacular and varied coastlines in the world. So you really should visit as much of our continent as you can. Tripping at home is an ideal way to get your training wheels off when it comes to surf missions. Figuring out the essentials to bring before you try and somehow make your board bag weigh less than 20kg is all good practice. The only trouble is figuring out where to go. The traditional surf coast of Devon and Cornwall alternate between sandy bays and towering cliffs from Woolacombe down through Newquay and on to Sennen. Wherever you pitch up, there’s going to be a surfable beach not too far away. For the more adventurous Europe awaits. Again sublime coasts await and the whole experience is that bit more cultural. It’s up to you how much adventure you want but check in with any of the operators featured here for local knowledge and class service that will help you make the most of your break.

Photo: Sharpy

 

// CLICK THROUGH TO SOME OF THE BEST UK & EUROPE TRAVEL OPTIONS BELOW //

UK & EUROPE.
WHEN TO GO: All year can be good. Summer school holidays are of course busy, but outside of peak season, it’s a just a question of spotting a chart.
AIRPORT: Newquay or Exeter for Cornwall and Devon. Biarritz or Bordeaux for SW France, Bilbao for Northern Spain and Lisbon or Faro for Portugal.
FERRIES: The easy option for a lot of us if there’s a crew of you.
ACCOMMODATION: See our recommended guide over the next few pages.
LANGUAGE: Wherever you are try your hand at the local dialect. Your phone can do some mad skills translating these days to help you out.
CURRENCY: Great British paaaaaands in the UK and Euro in Europe. Obvs.
WATCH OUT FOR: Our continent is thankfully hazard free. In the water watch out for loose boards or out of control learners.
BOARDS: For most summer sessions a board with a bit of beef is a winner. A small wave slayer and your regular shortboard is the ideal two-pack. RUBBER: 3mm is fine here, the further south you can get away with boardies.
AFTER DARK: Pub and food options are increasingly cosmopolitan on the coast. If you can’t find a decent bite to eat in the UK and Europe, you may as well give up on travelling.
ALTERNATIVE EXCITEMENT: Coasteering, hiking, kayaking, sightseeing, sunbathing, book reading, SUPing, there are heaps of outdoor options.
ESSENTIALS: A good attitude and some patience in the peak summer.