North Devon - Where?

[BudBrain]

Hey

Complete beginner here (have been once and couldn't stand up) so we're planning to go again a few times this year.

We're heading to North Devon in April, and will be camping over-night.

We don't have any gear, so will need to hire right on the beach.

Any idea which beach we should head to? What's the difference?

[kitesurfer]

As a beginer and wanting surf hire you should go to Saunton sands beach. Its a huge gently shelving sandy beach with lots of space and very few nasty rip currents. They also do surf hire in the car park, boards and wetsuits. You can probably get lessons arranged there too. It is an ideal spot to learn to surf as it is big and relatively safe. Get there before 9am and you can quite often get parking for free as the attendants won't have turned up by then. Have fun.
Avoid croyde as it will be busy and it is much easier to get into trouble there unless you take a lesson. Putsborough is expensive to park and not much in the way of surf hire, woolacombe you would need to hire in town and make your way to the beach, but a possibility.

KS

[BudBrain]

Thanks KS,

We went to Woolacombe before and they have hire right on the beach, but yeah, I do fancy somewhere different so will take a look at Saunton - thanks

Maybe a strange question, but we'll both be trying to surf so what do you do with your car keys/wallet etc? Do they have lockers or something?

[kitesurfer]

Depends on the key type really. You can get a dummy key cut for some types that has no transponder in it so all it will do is lock the doors and leave the real key locked inside. Alternatively you buy an aquapack http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=aquapa ... 64&bih=803

I use on of these all the time for kitesurfing and surfing no worries. When surfing you need to hang it round your neck and down your back so your not lying on it when paddling.

KS

[BudBrain]

Good tip there, thanks.

More questions! ...

- What type of board should we hire?
- Do the hire shops open all year/any weather?
- Any suggestions on campsites at Saunton?

[kitesurfer]

- What type of board should we hire? a big foam one to start with tell the guys whom your hiring it from your honest skill level
- Do the hire shops open all year/any weather? yes
- Any suggestions on campsites at Saunton? google campsites croyde

KS

[BudBrain]

Thanks