Porthcawl SurfSchool

Porthcawl Surf School operates from the Rest Bay Watersports Centre at Rest Bay, Porthcawl's main surfing beach. It is owned and run by Hugh Murray, who has worked in surf sport, coaching and surf lifesaving for more than 37 years, including competing at World, British and Welsh level. The school runs beginner and improver surf lessons, kids' courses, stand-up paddleboard instruction and instructor training, alongside walk-up equipment hire covering surfboards, bodyboards, wetsuits, paddleboards and sit-on-top kayaks for people who prefer to go out unsupervised. It operates year-round, closed only on Christmas Day, and was voted Best UK Surf School in a national poll in 2016. Instructors hold Water Skills Academy accreditation. As a single-site operator based at one beach rather than a multi-location surf chain, bookings and equipment are managed directly by Hugh and his coaching team rather than through a national booking platform.