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GENERAL
WHO IS PEAK FOR?
Peak is for people who want to feel more alive in and around the sea. Come as a complete beginner, a developing surfer or someone with plenty of water time. The goal is not to turn anyone into a pro; it is to build confidence, connection and a deeper relationship with the ocean.
CAN I COME ON MY OWN?
Absolutely. Many guests arrive solo. The retreat is deliberately intimate and welcoming, with shared surf sessions, long-table meals and plenty of unforced time to get to know your new crew.
WHAT ARE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TIMES?
For our long-weekend retreat, arrival is on Thursday afternoon at 17:00, with the Welcome Meeting at 18:00. Check-out is by 12:30 on Sunday, with the final surf lesson finishing at around 11:30 that same morning. All timings are also confirmed in your pre-arrival guide.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?
No two Atlantic days are identical. Expect a thoughtful rhythm of coached surfing, nourishing breakfasts, yoga-based mobility, sauna recovery, shared dinners and time to roam. We keep the schedule flexible so the best surf and weather windows can lead the way.

To give you a general idea, most days begin with our nutritious breakfast followed by a 2–3 hour coached surf session. Afternoons are usually left open for you to make your own adventure and explore the cosmic coast, before regrouping for yoga, sauna, surf theory or video analysis. Evenings then tend to unfold around the group dinner plans for that day, with sunset drinks, a stroll along the beach, or simply seeing where the night takes you.
CAN YOU CATER FOR DIETARY REQUIREMENTS?
We always do our best to cater for individual dietary requirements and allergies. Please tell us about any allergies or dietary needs when booking so our local chef can plan with care and do their best to accommodate them.

If there is anything you forget to mention at the time of booking, or something changes closer to your retreat, just drop us an email and let us know. Menus centre around fresh, seasonal ingredients and generous shared dining.
WHAT SHOULD I PACK?
Bring swimwear, warm layers, comfortable clothes for movement, sturdy footwear for coastal exploring and a reusable water bottle. Boards, wetsuits, house towels and beach towels are provided. A full seasonal packing list will be shared before arrival.
HOW ARE RETREAT ROOMS ALLOCATED?
We’ll do our very best to accommodate your preferred room type, subject to availability and final retreat numbers. Please let us know whether you’d prefer a private double room for two, a private twin room for two, or a single bed in one of our boutique shared rooms.

Whichever room you’re in, the standard stays the same: deeply comfortable super-king or twin beds, quality mattresses, crisp Egyptian-cotton linen, large bath towels, luxury toiletries, warm underfloor heating and fast Wi-Fi. In other words: everything you need for a properly restorative night before the next paddle-out.

Bathroom arrangements vary between rooms and retreat properties, so we can’t guarantee an en-suite in every case. Where a bathroom is shared, expect the same boutique feel — beautifully finished, spacious, well stocked and kept fresh throughout your stay. No compromise on the good stuff.
TRAVEL
WHERE IS THE RETREAT?
The retreat house sits among the dunes on Cornwall’s north coast, close to Gwithian and Hayle. The beach is a short walk away and full arrival directions are sent before the retreat.
CAN I DRIVE, AND IS THERE PARKING?
Yes. Car parking is available at the retreat. We will share the precise arrival point and parking guidance in your pre-arrival information. Car-sharing is warmly encouraged where practical.
HOW FAR IS THE RETREAT FROM NEWQUAY AIRPORT?
Allow around 35 minutes by car or pre-booked taxi. Local taxi availability can be limited around flight arrivals, weekends and busy periods, so advance booking is strongly recommended.
HOW FAR IS THE RETREAT FROM THE TRAIN?
St Erth station is around 20 minutes away by taxi. Penzance station is around 25 minutes away. Please pre-book your onward taxi and allow extra time during busy periods.
DO I NEED TO BOOK TAXIS IN ADVANCE?

There are plenty of local taxi companies, but availability can vary — particularly during busy periods — so we recommend booking ahead where possible.

Useful options include:

Coastline Travel — official taxi provider for Cornwall Airport Newquay: 01637 860006
Hayle A Cab: 01736 272728
A1 Cars: 01736 797700
Ace Cars: 01736 797799

We recommend confirming availability and fares directly with the operator before travelling.

CAN I TRAVEL MORE LIGHTLY?
Rail travel, shared transfers and car-sharing are the simplest ways to reduce the footprint of your journey. Bring a refillable bottle and reusable travel essentials; we provide the bulky surf equipment when you arrive.
WAVES & WEATHER
DO I NEED SURF EXPERIENCE?
No. Coaching is grouped around ability and confidence, from complete beginners to experienced surfers. Safety, good judgement and enjoyment always come before performance.
WHAT DO SURF SESSIONS INCLUDE?
Coached sessions include transport to and from each lesson, suitable boards, wetsuits, safety guidance, warm-up and tuition shaped around conditions and your level. Session length and location can change with the tide, wind and swell.
WHAT WILL BEGINNERS WORK ON?
Ocean awareness, safe board handling, pop-up foundations and catching your first green-waves. The emphasis is calm progress, good habits and enjoying the process.
WHAT WILL INTERMEDIATE SURFERS WORK ON?
More confident paddling, positioning, wave selection, efficient take-offs, trimming and making better decisions in a changing lineup.
WHAT WILL ADVANCED SURFERS WORK ON?
Reading the lineup, refining technique, improving manoeuvres, generating speed, choosing stronger lines and using focused feedback to surf with more flow. This is still connection-first coaching, not a performance bootcamp.
WHAT IF THE SURF OR WEATHER CHANGES?
That is part of life on the Atlantic coast. We follow the safest and most rewarding windows, adapting session times and locations where needed. If conditions do not cooperate, recovery, movement and coastal experiences give the day a different rhythm.
CAN I SURF MORE THAN ONCE A DAY?
The retreat timetable is designed around one high-quality coached session, recovery and the wider experience. Extra water time may be possible for suitably experienced guests when conditions, safety and the schedule allow; speak to the team onsite.
WHAT IS THE BEST MONTH TO SURF IN CORNWALL?
There is no single “best” month — it depends on your ability and the kind of waves you are looking for.

January brings powerful Atlantic swells, quieter beaches and some of Cornwall’s most serious surf, with sheltered breaks often providing more manageable options when exposed beaches are too big.

February is similarly consistent, with plenty of swell and uncrowded line-ups. Colder water and stronger weather systems make local knowledge particularly valuable when choosing where to surf.

March starts to bring longer days while maintaining good Atlantic swell. Conditions can vary considerably, which means there are often options for a wide range of abilities around the Cornish coastline.

April tends to offer an excellent mix of spring swell, increasing daylight and quieter beaches before the summer season begins — a great month for progressing surfers.

May brings longer, warmer days and generally more approachable conditions, while still regularly receiving enough Atlantic swell for quality surf sessions.

June marks the start of summer conditions, with long days, gradually warmer water and often smaller, cleaner waves that are particularly well suited to beginners and developing surfers.

July typically offers warmer water, long daylight hours and more beginner-friendly waves, while regular pulses of Atlantic swell can still produce plenty of fun sessions for more experienced surfers.

August continues the summer pattern, with warmer seas and generally accessible conditions. It is one of the best months for learning to surf, although our instructors know where to look when a little more swell arrives.

September is one of Cornwall’s classic surf months. The water remains relatively warm, summer crowds begin to ease and more consistent Atlantic swells start arriving, often alongside opportunities for clean morning conditions.

October can deliver an excellent combination of relatively mild water temperatures, increasingly consistent swell and quieter beaches, making it a favourite with many experienced surfers.

November sees larger and more frequent Atlantic swells reaching the coast. Exposed beaches can become powerful, while Cornwall’s variety of bays and sheltered breaks creates opportunities to find more manageable conditions.

December brings proper winter surf: powerful swells, quieter beaches and plenty of energy in the Atlantic. For experienced surfers it can be exceptional, while choosing the right sheltered spot becomes increasingly important for anyone still progressing.

There really is no single “best” month to surf Cornwall. The huge variety of this coastline means different beaches respond differently to swell direction, period, size and wind. Our experienced instructors use that local knowledge to choose the most suitable location for the conditions and the ability of the group — meaning there are opportunities to surf here throughout the year.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT SURF SEASONS LIKE IN CORNWALL?
Summer typically brings smaller, less powerful waves, warmer weather and longer days, making it a brilliant time for beginners and anyone looking for small, fun waves.

The shoulder seasons — spring and autumn — tend to offer a great balance. Atlantic swells become more consistent, the beaches are quieter and there can be an excellent variety of conditions for everyone from first-timers to more experienced surfers.

Winter is when Cornwall sees its biggest and most powerful swells. Conditions can be more demanding, but the coastline also offers sheltered options when the main beaches are too exposed.

This variety is exactly what makes Cornwall such a good place to surf year-round. Different beaches respond differently to swell and wind, so there is often something suitable somewhere along the coast for every level of surfer. Our instructors know the local breaks and make the call based on the conditions, finding the best option for your ability and the waves on the day.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MY RETREAT?
Boutique accommodation, transport to and from surf lessons, coached surf sessions, boards and wetsuits, nutritious breakfasts, selected long-table dinners with a local chef, yoga-based stretching, sauna recovery and a warmly hosted group experience. Your booking confirmation sets out the exact retreat-specific inclusions.
ARE LUNCHES INCLUDED?
Lunch is intentionally left open. We believe in “make your own adventure”: giving you space to explore, follow your appetite and graze Cornwall’s local dining scene, which is packed with gems. We share our favourite nearby options so you can choose what suits the day.
WHAT CAN I EAT BETWEEN MEALS?
An onsite honesty bar offers a quality selection of local snacks and goodies to keep you going between meals. Fresh, nutritious protein shakes are also made onsite—ideal after a surf when you need something satisfying before finding your lunch spot.
WHAT HAPPENS ON THE NIGHT DINNER IS NOT INCLUDED?
On a long-weekend retreat, Friday dinner is left free so guests can explore some of the best local, authentic Cornish food for themselves. It is another chance to make your own adventure and graze the local dining scene.
CAN I JOIN A GROUP DINNER ON FRIDAY?
Of course. If you would rather go with the herd and head out with your new-found surf crew, we organise an optional group booking at one of our favourite local restaurants, depending on numbers. It always tends to be a whole load of fun. Please let us know in advance if you would like to be included.
WHAT IS THE RETREAT HOUSE LIKE?
Expect generous shared living spaces, well-equipped kitchens, fast Wi-Fi, towels and robes, toiletries and hairdryers. Sauna and hot-tub recovery add warmth after time in the Atlantic.
CAN I USE THE KITCHEN FACILITIES MYSELF?
For safety reasons, the kitchen is reserved for our staff. There are plenty of brilliant nearby options for lunch, which we wholeheartedly encourage guests to get out and explore, plus a well-stocked honesty bar with healthy snacks and treats to keep you fuelled between meals.
a guest at Peak surf retreat hugging the founder after a great surf lesson.