Book a room

Book a table in Zacry's

Book a table in The Beach Hut

Book a table in The Living Space

Includes use of Swim Club before dinner in Zacry's

Book a treatment

Book a surf, yoga or HIIT lesson

Buy a gift card

Gift cards

HOW TO: Pop-up

A step-by-step guide to getting to your feet on a surfboard – in or out of the water…

Picture yourself floating ‘out back’ beyond the whitewater shallows at Watergate Bay. Looking around; rugged cliffs, sun on the water… then the smooth bump of an approaching wave starting to pitch up behind you. You start paddling, feel the momentum as the wave starts to carry you, then pop to your feet and ride ‘down the line’ until you fall off and surface, grinning all the way to the beach.

The ‘pop-up’ is the fundamental manoeuvre that’ll get you there.

It takes strength, mobility and a lot of practice to get it right – but the good news is you can learn and improve your technique on dry land. No beach or board required. 

So limber up and get started now – on your living room floor, in your garden, on a yoga mat – ready to make the most of your time on the coast, whenever that may be.

Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to pop-up once you’ve caught a wave, as demonstrated by one of Wavehunters’ friendly surf instructors

1. Lying on your belly, place your hands near your rib cage with your palms flat and your elbows tucked in. 

2. Push up off the ground/board, arching your back to lift your chin and chest. Then slide your knees forwards so you’re kneeling.

4. Once you have a solid foundation, release your hands and extend your legs, keeping them bent. Look and point your arms in the direction that you want to go.

As you progress you can remove some of these steps to make getting to your feet a more fluid motion. But first, practise, practise, practise…and you’ll be up and riding in no time

Wavehunters

Surf lessons

7 days a week all year round

Book

Kit hire

All the kit available to hire right on the beach.

Hire

Yoga

On the beach every day throughout the summer.

Yoga and HIIT classes

Boat tours

Wildlife spotting and sightseeing trips from Padstow, Rock and Port Isaac.

Book

Discover more

Wallien's guide to ocean wellness anywhere

We asked our friends at Wallien what techniques and practices might energise or relax us in the same way as a swim in the deep blue.

Read more

Open waters | The Wave Project

Ian Bennet, adaptive surf lead at surf-therapy charity The Wave Project tells us about the growing demand for adaptive surfing, and why The Wave Project is set on opening up the water for everyone.

Read more

HOW TO: Pop-up

A step-by-step guide to getting to your feet on a surfboard - in or out of the water...

Read more

Perspectives: Owen Tozer | Watergate Bay Hotel

Watch the film: Owen Tozer shares Watergate wavescapes and reflections, shot in black and white film.

Read more

English National Surfing Championships

Surfing England returns to Watergate Bay for the 2024 Caravan and Motorhome Club English National Surfing Championships.

Read more

Swim break in pictures

We've pulled together some of our favourite watery (mostly) images into a short photo story to bring our swim break experience to life...

Read more

Be the first to know

We'd love to keep in touch and send you the latest news, events, competitions and offers from the Bay. Sign up to receive our e-newsletter.