


Dive into the ocean in a whole new way with our hand plane sessions in Cornwall. Using a small handboard, you’ll experience the waves close-up, combining the simplicity of bodysurfing with the added speed and control of the hand plane. Whether you’re new to the sea or already confident in the surf, this is an exciting and accessible way to enjoy Cornwall’s coastline.
Your session begins with a warm welcome from our friendly instructors, followed by a full safety briefing and introduction to the equipment. You’ll get fitted with a wetsuit, fins, and hand plane, before heading down to the beach for a lively warm-up. The first part of the lesson focuses on building confidence with body surfing skills and learning to use swim fins effectively. Starting in the white water, you’ll practise catching smaller waves and positioning the hand plane to increase speed and control.
As you progress, you’ll move out to unbroken waves, where you’ll really feel the benefits of the hand plane. Instructors will be with you every step of the way, offering feedback and guidance to help you refine your technique. Sessions also include free action photography, so you’ll leave with great memories of your time in the water. Expect plenty of laughs, new skills, and the chance to experience the ocean in one of its purest forms.
These sessions take place on Newquay’s famous beaches, including Great Western and Fistral. Known for their reliable surf, golden sands, and scenic headlands, these beaches offer the perfect conditions for hand planing. Depending on the waves and tides, the best beach will be chosen on the day to suit your group’s ability and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Newquay itself is a hub for ocean sports, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and sheltered coves. The town combines a lively surf culture with beautiful coastal scenery, making it a great base for outdoor adventure. With a long history as the UK’s surf capital, Newquay offers both accessibility and some of the finest wave conditions in the country.
No previous surfing or ocean experience is needed. Hand planing is easy to pick up, and our instructors will support you from the very first wave.
You should be comfortable swimming in the sea and confident spending time in the water, as the session involves both swimming and wave riding.
The centre has been teaching wave sports in Newquay for over two decades, and its team of highly trained instructors are passionate about making every session enjoyable, safe, and accessible. With award-winning instruction, small group sizes, and top-quality equipment, you’ll be in the best possible hands.
Beyond the lesson itself, you’ll also enjoy excellent facilities including heated changing rooms, secure storage, hot showers, and toilets. Added extras like action photography, local discounts, and personalised feedback mean you get much more than just a standard lesson – it’s an experience designed to give you confidence, skills, and lasting memories.
Not at all. Hand planing is designed to be accessible for complete beginners as well as those who already have some confidence in the surf. In fact, many people find it easier to pick up than traditional surfing because the equipment is light, minimal, and doesn’t require the balance needed for standing on a board. Your instructor will guide you step by step, starting in shallow water so you can build confidence before heading into deeper waves.
For those who already surf, bodyboard, or swim regularly, hand planing can be a fresh challenge and a way to approach the ocean differently. Even experienced wave riders enjoy the stripped-back style of the sport, as it gives a more direct connection to the waves. The session can be tailored to your ability, so you’ll either focus on the basics or push yourself to ride more challenging unbroken waves.
Our hand plane sessions are 2 hours long. You'll start with a sea swim with fins to catch powerful ocean swells and build your technique from small waves up. You'll also learn body surfing skills and get comprehensive tuition and feedback from our experienced instructors.
Yes, hand planing is suitable for children aged 8 and above, and it’s a fantastic activity for families to do together. The sessions are led by experienced instructors who are trained in water safety and first aid, and they’ll always be in the water with you. Group sizes are kept small, which means everyone receives plenty of attention and guidance.
For younger participants or families, instructors will usually keep the group in the white water close to shore until confidence builds. The hand plane itself is lightweight and easy to use, making it much safer than traditional surfing, as there are no large boards attached to your leg. Parents often find it a brilliant way to introduce their children to ocean sports in a controlled and supportive environment.
We provide everything you’ll need for the session, including a Rip Curl wetsuit, swim fins, and the hand plane itself. You’ll also have access to heated changing rooms, hot outdoor showers, and secure storage for valuables, so you can arrive with just the essentials. Action photography is included too, so you’ll walk away with images of your experience without needing to bring your own camera.
All you need to bring is swimwear for under the wetsuit, a towel, and some warm clothes to change into afterwards. Many participants also bring a bottle of water and snacks for after the lesson. If you’d like to make a day of it, Newquay has plenty of cafés and restaurants nearby, and you’ll receive a discount card for local food and drink to use after your session.
The Cornish coast is known for its reliable waves, but conditions can vary from day to day. Safety is always the first priority, so instructors will assess the beach and decide on the best location before each session. If conditions at one beach aren’t suitable, the lesson may move to another nearby spot such as Fistral, Great Western, or Towan.
In the rare case that the ocean isn’t safe or suitable for hand planing at all, the session may be rescheduled or adapted into an alternative water-based activity. You’ll always be kept informed, and the team will ensure you still have a safe, fun, and memorable experience. Flexibility is part of what makes these sessions enjoyable, as you’re guided to the best waves available on the day.
Most people manage to catch their very first wave within ten minutes of entering the water. Because the hand plane adds lift and speed, it makes bodysurfing far easier and more effective, giving you quick results. Instructors break down the technique clearly and support you while you get used to the fins and hand plane.
As the session progresses, you’ll notice a big difference in your confidence and technique. You’ll move from catching small white water waves to trying unbroken green waves, learning how to angle the hand plane for speed and direction. By the end of the lesson, many beginners are surprised at how much control they’ve gained in such a short amount of time.
We both loved it , the instructor was a gentleman . Clear , concise instructions and very helpful . Can’t remember his name sorry , very tall with long hair
Jamie was a good instructor but a bit disappointed with the time snorkeling and not seeing anything. The sighting of the seals and info about the coast was great
Everyone was so friendly. My crew leader Alex was really supportive and encouraging as I am not an avid swimmer and so easing my way into kayaking and coasteering was a breeze. The team back at their headquarters were amazing ... keeping my baggage safe as I toured and even…
We had a really good time with Heath today. He showed us all the safety information and kept checking we were all okay. Instead of just staying out snorkelling he showed us some caves and told us about the history and cool knowledge about the caves and rocks. Had a…
We had an amazing time with heath. He was so lovely and gave us a bit of history as we went along. Very caring and made sure we had a fab time
Fun and exciting. The guide Oleks made it really enjoyable for us
Olek was such a cool instructor…let you get on with enjoying the water whilst keeping you safe and giving lots of detail…dan was super helpful when we got there and having a chat afterwards 10/10 hope to be back next summer
Amazing time coasteering in Cornwall with our instructor James. Great fun and James was very knowledgeable and easy to chat to. Thanks for an amazing time
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Operated by Newquay Activity Centre, a partner of adventuro.