North Cornwall, in many aspects, could be the perfect part of our fair country in which to start out surfing. With its warm(ish) waters, wealth of friendly beach breaks and seasonal lifeguard coverage. You're hard pushed to find anywhere much more user friendly.

The Northern coastline of Cornwall is shipwreck country. It's wild, rugged element means that it's not the first and obvious choice for a nascent surfer. But yet, with sandy, merciful and RNLI covered beaches like Polzeath, Widemouth Bay and Summerleaze, a plethora of surf schools and more surf shops than is probably healthy, it's certainly got everything a wide-eyed grommet could need.

Starting out with a surf school is pretty much essential. Talking from personal experience, jumping in at the deep end, metaphorically, doesn't work. Do so and you could metaphorically (and potentially even literally) drown. Knowledge of the coast, the sea and all that goes with it, is just as much a part of surfing as standing on your board and tearing it up in the waves.

Please remember if you are just starting out, keep it safe; only surf on beaches with permanent lifeguard patrols and only surf where the lifeguards tell you to. Do it right and a whole world of fun awaits. See you in the water.