Sports
With a wide range of fun activities, sports and adventure pursuits available, Bude is one of the best places in Cornwall to enjoy your favourite pastime. With so many great facilities and professional coaches nearby, however, it is also a great place to learn something completely new. This is why you’ll also find details for friendly experts and service providers in the area.
Popular options from adrenaline sports to golf courses in North Cornwall. Water sports are also covered here, with tempting and accessible possibilities available from the canal banks to the excellent facilities at Upper Tamar Lake.
Coasteering with Freewave Surf Academy
Coasteering with Freewave Surf Academy
Embark on an extraordinary and thrilling aquatic adventure with coasteering near Bude. Suitable for various groups and ages, this action-packed experience promises excitement and awe.
Meet The Coasteering Team
Our team comprises certified and seasoned coasteering instructors who will lead you through the intertidal zone along Bude’s breathtaking coastline. Dive into expansive Cornish sea caves, discover wildlife-abundant rock pools, access hidden and secluded beaches around Bude, and take the plunge from one of our thrilling cliff jumping spots!
Discover The Coasteering Venues
While our primary venue is at Bossiney Bay near Bude, Cornwall, we also have access to multiple venues scattered along the stunning Cornwall coastline. Each location presents a variety of thrilling opportunities, explorations, and experiences in a spectacular environment. The choice of coasteering site will be based on the day’s conditions, making transportation essential for your coasteering adventure with us.
Craft Your Coasteering Experience
Tailored to suit the needs and abilities of each group, our coasteering sessions provide all necessary safety equipment. Just bring along old trainers that you don’t mind getting wet. Participants must be over 10 years old, capable of swimming 50 meters unaided, and those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Begin your session by meeting your coasteering guide near Bude, Cornwall. Once you’re ready, don a wetsuit, buoyancy aid, and helmet, and don’t forget those water-friendly shoes! Pay close attention to the coasteering safety briefing from the lead guide, who will provide insights into what to expect from your coasteering adventure. Familiarize yourself with the ‘do’s’ and ‘do not’s’ before immersing yourself in the beauty of the Cornish sea and exploring Bude’s enchanting coastline.
Minimum age for coasteering with us in Bude, Cornwall is 10 years old. All participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult during the activity.
Surfing with Atlantic Pursuits
Surfing with Atlantic Pursuits
SURFING AND BODY BOARDING WITH ATLANTIC PURSUITS
Ever wondered about the differences between surfing and body/boogie boarding? Allow us to shed some light on the nuances:
Surfing:
The objective is to catch a wave substantial enough for you to stand on the board and ride the wave. By using long boards, extending up to 9 feet, these are easier to balance on and control. It’s a thrilling activity where you typically remain within chest-depth waters to catch a wave. Our instructors are on hand to assist you in catching the perfect wave, providing you with the optimal opportunity to ride the board with style and skill.
Body/Boogie Boarding:
On the other hand, body or boogie boarding employs a much smaller board, especially suitable for smaller children. This activity is typically confined to the safe swimming area, offering a secure and enjoyable experience.
In essence, whether you choose the exhilarating ride of surfing or the family-friendly fun of body/boogie boarding, Atlantic Pursuits ensures a memorable aquatic adventure tailored to your preferences.
Why opt for Atlantic Pursuits?
Owner Sam Roberts: a 30-year Outdoor Expert:
With over three decades of experience, Sam Roberts is a seasoned trainer in surf life-saving and served as an RNLI helmsman for 20 years. His expertise as an excellent waterman is dedicated to delivering enjoyable, safe, and informative sessions.
Exclusive Small Groups/Private Family Experience:
Enjoy a session with just 6-8 people, ensuring a more personalized and intimate setting.
Premium Equipment:
Our equipment is top-notch, updated annually. Wetsuits, surfboards, and bodyboards are all in excellent condition, sourced from reputable providers such as Gul, Sola, and C-Skins.
Maximized Water Time:
Our groups prioritize time in the water, ensuring you make the most of your session. Informative introductions and warm-ups are concise, allowing you to fully enjoy your time.
Safety First:
Owner Sam Roberts: a 30-year Outdoor Expert:
With over three decades of experience, Sam Roberts is a seasoned trainer in surf life-saving and served as an RNLI helmsman for 20 years. His expertise as an excellent waterman is dedicated to delivering enjoyable, safe, and informative sessions.
For All Ages:
This activity is suitable for everyone, starting from the minimum age of 5. Age is no barrier—whether you’re 60 or 6, this is an exciting and inclusive activity for all.
Surfing with Saltwater Safari
Surfing with Saltwater Safari
About Saltwater Safari:
For those familiar with Pete “Smudge” Smith, it’s no secret that he boasts over two decades of experience as a coach in the adventure sports industry. Holding qualifications as a climbing coach, International Mountain Leader, and a certified teacher, Pete’s expertise lies in extracting the best from individuals in challenging environments.
With a wealth of experience, Pete is a Level 2 Surf Coach and Adaptive Surf Coach accredited by the ISA (International Surf Association). Additionally, he is a Level 3 Beginner Surf SUP instructor certified by the ASI (Academy of Surf Instructors). His aim is to impart a deep understanding of the sea, enriching your surfing experience.
Ethos:
Aligned with our commitment to delivering Saltwater Safari adventures tailored exclusively for you, we conduct surf sessions for individuals or small private groups. This ensures a personalized experience shared only with your friends and/or family.
Every session we conduct is unique, tailored to your needs and aspirations, promoting a different and progressive experience each time, regardless of your skill level.
Our sessions allow you to forge shared memories with your family and friends. These experiences will linger in your thoughts, becoming cherished moments that you’ll reminisce about long after your holiday has concluded!
Our focus is on you acquiring new skills and valuable knowledge about the sea, and hopefully, about yourself.
Location:
Saltwater Safari proudly holds a license from Cornwall Council to conduct water-based activities on Crooklets and Summerleaze beaches in the beautiful town of Bude.
We’ll meet you at the Saltwater Safari trailer in the Crooklets car park. Here, we’ll ensure you’re well-equipped for an exciting surf session.
Surfing with OA Surf Club
Surfing with OA Surf Club
With three decades of expertise in conducting surf lessons in the Bude area, our seasoned team is perfectly positioned to guide you from novice to champion.
OA Surf Club organises surf lessons at Widemouth Bay, just a stone’s throw from Bude. This expansive sandy beach serves as an idyllic setting for both learning the basics of surfing and honing your existing skills. Whether embarking on this adventure solo, with family, or alongside a group of friends, our amiable and skilled team is not only dedicated but their passion and contagious enthusiasm, ensures you receive nothing short of the finest experience in the water.
Whether you’re a first-time surfer eager to catch your first wave or seeking to refine your technique, our expert coaches specialize in optimizing every moment of your session. Our comprehensive lessons encompass the essentials, from learning how to carry a surfboard to mastering the art of catching waves and adopting various standing techniques.
Our crafted 2-hour lessons strike the perfect balance, combining valuable coaching time on the beach with extensive water sessions. This approach ensures you not only grasp the fundamentals during instruction but also have ample time in the water to hone and practice your newfound skills.
St Eval Kart Circuit
St Eval Kart Circuit
The Premier Karting Experience in Cornwall
Located along the breathtaking North Cornwall Coast between Newquay and Padstow, St. Eval Kart Circuit offers an exhilarating outdoor go-karting experience. Their expansive 1000m track is meticulously designed to accommodate racers of all skill levels, starting from 7 years old!
Designated sessions for various age groups, including 7–11-year-olds, teenagers and adults, and exclusive adult-only sessions, there’s something for everyone. And for the youngest enthusiasts, they provide a specially tailored circuit for 3 to 6-year-olds to enjoy their own thrilling adventure.
With the most extensive selection of karts in Cornwall, St. Eval Kart Circuit ensures there’s a kart to suit every age group. Their dedicated karts and tracks for each age bracket ensure an unparalleled karting experience for all participants.
SUP Yoga with Bude Surfing Experience
SUP Yoga with Bude Surfing Experience
Discover the tranquillity of SUP Yoga, a truly mindful experience suitable for all abilities. No prior experience in either paddleboarding or yoga is necessary, making it accessible to everyone. However, if you’re a dedicated practitioner, our instructor Emma can tailor the session to your level of expertise.
Join us for early morning sessions designed to immerse you in nature, providing a break from the chaos of daily life. As the world awakens, paddle out to a serene spot to begin your yoga practice.
Meeting at our trailer near the Bude Tourist Information Centre, come prepared with yoga or comfortable clothing, swimwear underneath, and any necessary medication.
Once you experience the serenity of SUP Yoga, we’re confident you’ll be drawn to join us again!
Surfing with Big Blue Surf School
Surfing with Big Blue Surf School
Big Blue Surf School boasts a rich history of teaching surfing for over two decades. Whether you’re a novice eager to learn or seeking a fantastic family adventure, Big Blue can help you achieve it. With a track record of safely introducing over 35,000 individuals, including men, women, and children, to the exhilarating world of surfing, we welcome returning enthusiasts year after year. Our surfing lessons cater to individuals, families, schools, as well as those with disabilities or neurodiverse individuals.
Operating on Summerleaze Beach, one of Cornwall’s most diverse surf spots, we have access to a sheltered bay for challenging conditions and an open sandy beach during mid to low tide, accommodating surfers of all skill levels. If big waves aren’t your preference, worry not!
Our coaches, fully qualified for all skill levels, are trained surf lifeguards, many of whom honed their surfing skills in Bude, providing them with extensive local expertise. Emphasizing safety as our top priority, we maintain a high coach-to-student ratio.
At Big Blue, we believe in inclusivity, running specialized adaptive lessons for individuals with disabilities, neurodiverse conditions, and mental health challenges.
Ensuring surfing is accessible to everyone is our mission!
Our expertise extends to working with both children and adults facing various conditions and disabilities. These include, but are not limited to, autism, Down’s syndrome, physical disabilities, as well as challenges related to speech, sight, and hearing.
Tailoring our approach to individual needs and abilities, we provide a spectrum of options, ranging from introductory ‘learn to surf’ sessions to tandem wave riding.
For tandem experiences, we offer specialized boards with an instructor, while our collection of extra-wide surfboards facilitates solo riding, ensuring added stability for an effortlessly enjoyable experience.
Each lesson is conducted one-on-one with an instructor, prioritizing safety in the water. Additionally, we provide buoyancy aids as necessary to enhance the overall safety and enjoyment of the experience.
Operating year-round, we offer extra-thick wetsuits to keep you warm during cooler months.
Tamar Lakes
Tamar Lakes
Nestled amid the idyllic British countryside and peacefully situated on the Cornwall and Devon border, Upper and Lower Tamar Lakes are steeped in industrial history and teeming with diverse flora and fauna.
Established in the 1820s, Lower Tamar Lake boasts a rich history. As a designated Nature Reserve, it provides an ideal sanctuary to connect with nature. Take a moment of tranquillity in the bird hide, where sightings of ospreys, sandpipers, and cormorants are possible.
Remarkably, the boundary between Devon and Cornwall cuts directly through the centre of Upper Tamar Lake!
Beyond the natural richness of both lakes, Upper Tamar Lake offers a plethora of activities catering to all preferences, complemented by an on-site café ensuring a delightful experience for all visitors whatever age. Activities including walking, canoeing, cycling, fishing, kayaking, rowing, SUP, sailing and windsurfing. You can even extend your stay and make the most of the excellent camping facilities on site.
Activities at Tamar Lakes
- Walking: Set out on a close encounter with nature as you explore our way-marked walking trails tracing the scenic shorelines of both lakes. The circular path around Upper Tamar Lake spans approximately 2.8 miles (4.5 km), creating an ideal route for a picturesque lakeside walk. Suitable for pushchairs, mobility scooters and wheelchairs.
- Parkrun: Every Saturday at 9 am, Parkrun events take place at Upper Tamar Lake, providing an excellent opportunity to join fellow enthusiasts and challenge yourself in this scenic setting!
- Kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, sailing, windsurfing, and rowing are all available at Upper Tamar Lake, you can hire the equipment or launch your own.
- Fishing: Upper Tamar Lake is an ideal destination for your next angling expedition, acclaimed as the top still water coarse fishery in the UK in 2021!
- Cycling: The three-mile loop surrounding the upper lake provides an enjoyable and family-friendly cycling experience.