Watersports

With over 300 beaches, hidden coves and many inland lakes and rivers, Cornwall offers the UK’s best water based activites set in stunning locations.  There is no excuse not to be active on your holiday.

Kayaking
Discover remote beaches and explore the Cornish coastline by kayak. Ocean, river and surf kayaking is increasingly popular in Cornwall and for beginners why not take kayaking lessons? Expert led sessions available at Oceancrest, Newquay, Active-8 in South East Cornwall, Mobius in Perranporth, Elemental UK in Falmouth, Harlyn Surf School near Padstow Outdoor Adventure in Bude and Encounter Cornwall in Lerryn. 1 and 2-3 person ocean kayaks available for hire at St Mawes Sit-on Kayaks.

Canoeing
Canoeing is a great way of experiencing the tranquillity and beauty that this unique area offers, along with the chance to glide into some of the wonderful riverside villages on route. Paddle along the stunningly beautiful River Fowey with expert led companies Active-8, Encounter Cornwall and Outdoor Adventure.

What is the difference between canoeing and kayaking?
It's easy, canoeists sit or kneel in the canoe and use a single bladed paddle whereas kayakers typically sit and use a paddle with blades at both ends. Canoes are generally found on calmer waters while kayaks are more suited to the choppier.
 
Windsurfing
Enjoy a day relaxing on the beach or an active day out on the water. Windsurfing provides a great physical and technical challenge at a more laid back pace. Expert led sessions available at Elemental UK in Falmouth and Outdoor Adventure in Bude.  Windsurfing and equipment hire also available at Stithians Lake in Redruth, Siblyback Lake in Liskeard, Upper and Lower Tamar Lakes in Bude.


Waterskiing
Enjoy the high speed thrill as you are pulled along the surface of Cornish waters taking in the fresh sea air as you go. Choose to waterski with one or two skis, a wakeboard or a kneeboard or by any other means of keeping afloat! More information available from Penhale Adventure in Holywell Bay, Cornwall Water Ski near Bodmin and Camel Ski School in Rock.

Waveskiing
Easy and quick to master, a waveski is somewhere between a surfboard and a white-water kayak. It has all the thrills of surfing however you are sitting down while you ride the waves. A waveski itself is like a kayak, except riders sit on the waveski, rather than in it. Expert led sessions available at The Extreme Academy at Watergate Bay.

Paddle Boarding
Stand up paddle boarding is great fun for all the family and is one of the fastest growing water sports in the world. It involves standing up on a long, wide super stable board and propelling yourself forward in the water using a paddle.Harlyn Surf School near Padstow and Active-8 in South East Cornwall offers the perfect taster to paddle boarding.   Or for keen surfers The Extreme Academy offers something a bit different with stand-up paddle surf lessons.

For those seeking more of an adrenalin rush visit our Adventure Sports page detailing further information on Coasteering, Wakeboarding and Kite Surfing in Cornwall.