About Blue Barrel Surf School
A mobile, private-only surf school founded by Jack, coaching on Cornwall's best beaches from St Ives Bay to South Fistral.
Meet Jack, founder and head surf instructor
Jack is an ISA Level 1 surf instructor and RLSS-qualified lifeguard, with over 12 years of surfing and eight years of professional coaching. Before starting Blue Barrel, he coached at surf schools across Cornwall: group lessons, private lessons, school sessions, surfing and paddleboarding.
He grew up surfing on the Isle of Wight, largely without guidance. There was no plan and nobody to explain why he wasn't progressing. Blue Barrel is built to give you what he was missing: structure, goals to aim for and support along the way.
Whether you're catching your first wave or working on your first bottom turn, Jack is in the water with you, not coaching from the beach.
“Our sessions are designed completely around you and what you want to get out of your time with us.”
Jack, founder of Blue Barrel Surf School
Private and mobile, by design
Blue Barrel only teaches private lessons. Your session is never shared with strangers, and the coaching is built around where you are now and where you want to get to.
Being mobile means we're not tied to one beach. Cornwall's north and south coasts face different directions, so when one side is too big or blown out, the other is often clean. Every lesson goes to the beach that best suits the conditions on the day. See all our surf lesson locations in Cornwall.
Jack's favourite? Gwithian in St Ives Bay, for its three miles of sand, Godrevy lighthouse and the quiet spots you can find even in peak summer.
How we coach
The right beach for your level
We check the forecast, webcams, swell, wind and tide, and choose the safest, most suitable beach, from South Fistral in Newquay to Gwithian in St Ives Bay and Praa Sands on the south coast.
The right board and wetsuit
A full range of surfboards, from wide, stable learner boards to mid-lengths and hybrids for improvers, and good-quality wetsuits matched to the water temperature for the time of year.
Coaching next to you
Coaching happens beside you in the waves, not from the beach. You get instant, honest feedback and a clear idea of what to work on next.
Fun first, then goals
First sessions are about enjoying it and building a foundation. After that, we set goals and track your progress, which is the idea behind the Blueprint.
Qualified and lifeguard trained
Your safety comes first in every session, whatever the conditions.
Read what surfers say on our TripAdvisor reviews.
Ready to surf with Blue Barrel?
Private 2-hour surf lessons from £100, all equipment included, for beginners, improvers and families.
About Blue Barrel: questions
Are your surf instructors qualified?
Yes. Jack, our founder and head instructor, is an ISA Level 1 qualified surf instructor and RLSS qualified lifeguard, with over 12 years of surfing experience and 8 years of professional coaching at surf schools across Cornwall.
Where is Blue Barrel Surf School based?
We're a mobile surf school, so we're not tied to one beach. We teach across Cornwall, including South Fistral in Newquay, Gwithian and Porthkidney in St Ives Bay, Perran Sands, Marazion, Perranuthnoe and Praa Sands.
What surfboards do you use?
We carry a full range of boards, from wide, stable learner boards to mid-lengths and hybrids for improvers, so you're always on the right board for your level.
Are your lessons really private?
Yes. We never mix groups. Your lesson is just you or the people you book with, and coaching is built around your level and goals.
Surf with us in Cornwall
Book a private surf lesson, plan a group surf lesson, follow a structured programme with the Blueprint or give a surf lesson gift voucher.