Pembrokeshire, West Wales
ISA qualified surf instruction on Pembrokeshire's finest beaches. Beginner to advanced. All ages, all abilities. Every piece of equipment provided. No experience required.
About the School
Pembrokeshire Surf School started with a single board, a battered van, and an unwavering belief that these Atlantic-facing beaches deserved a proper surf school. Years on, we're the coastline's most trusted surf instruction team, operating from two of Wales's finest stretches of sand.
We operate from Freshwater West in the south and Newgale in the north, giving us flexibility to chase the best conditions across Pembrokeshire's wild and beautiful coastline. When the swell swings round, we swing with it.
Our instructors aren't just qualified — they're passionate surfers who've spent years in these specific waters. They understand the local breaks, tides, and conditions in a way that no visiting instructor ever could.
What We Offer
Whether you're stepping onto a board for the first time or chasing critical sections in overhead surf, our structured lesson programme has been designed to push your surfing forward.
Never surfed before? Perfect. Start here.
Our beginner lessons are the most rewarding thing we do. In two hours we'll take you from sand to standing, covering ocean awareness, paddling technique, pop-up mechanics, and wave selection. We promise you'll catch a wave.
You've stood up. Now let's go further.
The intermediate stage is where surfing starts to click. You've got the basic pop-up dialled, but you want more control, more style, and to start reading and using the wave properly. This is the session that transforms a beginner into a real surfer.
Unlock your next level. No limits.
Advanced coaching at Pembrokeshire Surf School is a serious pursuit. We use video analysis, structured drill work, and targeted feedback to break down your surfing and rebuild it stronger. Designed for surfers who regularly catch unbroken waves and want to compete or simply maximise their ability.
Our Services
We've built a full-service surf school around the needs of every surfer, from first-timers to families to corporate away-days.
Our group sessions are the heartbeat of the school. A social, energetic environment where learning happens fast because everyone's riding the same buzz. Groups are capped to maintain quality — you'll never feel lost in the crowd.
One instructor. One surfer. Total focus. Private lessons are the fastest way to improve at any level. Your instructor tailors every single moment of the session to you — your strengths, your weaknesses, your goals.
A full-day or multi-day surf camp experience built specifically for young surfers aged 7–16. Safe, structured, and seriously fun. Kids leave with new skills, new friends, and a love of the ocean that lasts a lifetime.
Take your team away from the boardroom and onto the board. Corporate surf days are outstanding for team building — everyone starts equal, everyone gets wet, everyone has a story to tell on Monday morning.
Simple Process
Getting into the water with us is deliberately straightforward. Here's what to expect from the moment you book.
Pick a lesson type and level that suits you. Not sure? Fill in the enquiry form and we'll recommend the right session based on your experience.
We'll confirm your date, time, and beach location by email. All you'll need is a swimming costume underneath your wetsuit and a towel. We do everything else.
Arrive at the agreed meeting point 15 minutes before your session. We'll kit you out with your wetsuit and board, run through the safety briefing, and get to work on the sand.
Land-based warm-up complete, it's time to paddle out. Your instructor will be in the water with you every step of the way. First-timers regularly stand up within 30 minutes.
Where We Operate
We operate from the finest surf beaches in Wales. Both locations sit within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park — some of the most protected and dramatic coastline in Britain.
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Freshwater West is Pembrokeshire's most dramatic surf beach — a vast, exposed Atlantic-facing bay with consistent swell, powerful dumping shorebreak, and long peeling beach break waves on the right days. The dunes tower behind you. The ocean stretches west to Ireland. This is proper surf country.
Best suited to intermediate and advanced surfers on its bigger days, but offers gentler inside sections perfect for beginners on smaller swells. The sheer scale of this beach means we can always find a suitable spot for our learners whilst advanced sessions happen further up the beach.
St Brides Bay, Pembrokeshire
Two miles of sand. A pebble bank. Rolling swell from St Brides Bay. Newgale is one of Wales's most beloved surf beaches and a superb classroom for every level of surfer. The waves tend to be slightly gentler than Freshwater West, making it particularly well-suited to first-time surfers and intermediate progression.
The village of Newgale provides excellent facilities including a beachfront pub and cafe, making it a perfect base for a full surf day. The beach faces north-west, giving it a consistent window into Atlantic groundswell for much of the year.
We Choose the Beach Based on Conditions
We'll always confirm your beach location 24 hours before your lesson based on swell, wind, and tide forecasts. Our knowledge of these beaches means you always get the best conditions available.
The Team
Every member of our team holds current ISA qualifications, first aid certification, and a genuine passion for sharing surfing with others.
Tom Griffiths
Head Coach & Founder
Tom has been surfing Pembrokeshire's waves since he was eight years old. After a stint competing on the UK Pro Surf Tour, he founded the school with one mission: to share his knowledge of these incredible beaches with as many people as possible. His coaching style is calm, encouraging, and grounded in the fundamentals.
Cerys Owen
Junior & Kids Specialist
Cerys is the driving force behind our kids camps and junior development programme. With a background in sports coaching and child development, she has an extraordinary ability to make young surfers feel safe, confident, and wildly enthusiastic about the ocean. Cerys holds additional paediatric first aid qualifications.
Rhodri Davies
Performance Coach
Rhodri handles our intermediate and advanced coaching. A competitive longboarder with multiple Welsh titles, he brings a deep technical understanding of wave mechanics, board craft, and movement to his sessions. His video analysis sessions have transformed the surfing of dozens of intermediate surfers who felt stuck at a plateau.
Our Commitment to Safety
Every Pembrokeshire Surf School instructor holds a current ISA qualification, first aid certification, and is fully insured for public instruction. We carry out comprehensive risk assessments at both beaches before every session and constantly monitor conditions throughout. Your safety is never compromised.
Transparent Pricing
No hidden charges. All equipment included. Every session priced to deliver genuine value on some of the finest surf beaches in Britain.
Group Lesson
£40 / person
2-hour group surf lesson — all levels. Max 8 per instructor.
Private Lesson
£85 / session
1-to-1 coaching — 1.5 hours. Maximum personal focus.
Kids Camp
£65 / day
Full-day junior surf camp. Ages 7–16. 10am–4pm.
Group Discounts
Book 6 or more people in a single group and receive 10% off all individual lesson prices. Perfect for family holidays and groups of friends.
Lesson Bundles
Commit to 5 group lessons and pay for 4. Our bundle packages are ideal for visitors staying in Pembrokeshire for a week or longer.
Cancellation Policy
Full refund for cancellations with 48+ hours notice. Weather cancellations are always rescheduled or refunded in full, no questions asked.
Equipment Hire
Already know how to surf? Hire equipment directly from us and use our beach access. Everything is well-maintained, regularly inspected, and ready to go.
Foam longboards, mini-mals, and fibreglass shortboards. All sizes and volumes in stock.
£15 / day
3/2mm and 5/4mm wetsuits available in all adult and children's sizes. Boots and gloves also in stock.
£10 / day
Board and wetsuit bundle for those who want everything sorted in one go. Best value option.
£22 / day
Quality bodyboards with fins for those who prefer to ride the shorebreak. Great fun on the bigger beach break days.
£8 / day
Hire is available without a lesson booking. Equipment must be collected from the beach base and returned by 5pm. Photo ID required on first hire. Under-16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Damage waivers are signed on collection.
What People Say
We don't believe in hollow five-star reviews. These are genuine accounts from people who came to Pembrokeshire, got in the water with us, and left different.
I turned 40 this year and decided I wanted to try surfing properly for the first time. Tom was patient, funny, and genuinely brilliant at explaining everything. I stood up on my first session and cried actual tears. Best birthday present I've ever given myself.
We brought our two kids (9 and 12) to the summer camp for three days. By the end they were paddling out on their own and selecting waves. Cerys is remarkable with children — she made the whole thing feel like the greatest adventure in the world. We're already booked for next summer.
Rhodri's video analysis session was a revelation. I'd been surfing for three years and felt completely stuck. In one 1.5-hour session he identified my back foot issue, my paddle timing problem, and showed me how to fix both. I surfed the best waves of my life the following day.
Organised a corporate surf day for 22 people from our Bristol office. Not a single person had surfed before. By the end of the day, people were genuinely ripping — well, in the loosest sense. The team were organised, professional, and kept everything fun. Highly recommended for company events.
We holiday in Pembrokeshire every August and we've booked with Tom for the last four years running. My son has gone from complete beginner to confidently surfing unbroken waves in three years of lessons. The progression has been incredible. This school genuinely cares about teaching people properly.
The equipment is excellent and well looked-after. The wetsuits were warm and fit properly, the boards were right for our level. Little things like that make a massive difference when you're learning. You can tell this school takes real pride in what it does.
Common Questions
Everything you need to know before your first session. If your question isn't answered here, just get in touch and we'll come back to you promptly.
Do I need any experience to book a beginner lesson?
None whatsoever. Our beginner lessons assume zero prior surfing experience. The only requirement is that you can swim confidently and are comfortable in the sea. We do the rest.
What do I need to bring?
Just yourself, a swimming costume to wear under the wetsuit, a towel, and sun cream. We provide boards, wetsuits, boots if needed, and all safety equipment. Leave everything else in the car.
What is the minimum age for lessons?
We welcome surfers from age 7 upwards in our group lessons. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult at the beach, though they don't need to surf themselves. Private lessons can be arranged for younger children on a case-by-case basis — just get in touch.
What happens if the conditions are too rough on the day?
Safety is always our priority. If conditions at the scheduled beach are unsuitable, we will attempt to relocate to our other beach where conditions may be more appropriate. If no suitable location exists, we will reschedule your lesson or offer a full refund. You will always be notified at least 3 hours before your session if there is a weather concern.
Is surfing in Pembrokeshire cold?
The water temperature ranges from around 10°C in winter to approximately 18°C in late summer. We provide 5mm wetsuits with hoods, boots, and gloves for colder months, and 3/2mm summer suits for warmer conditions. You will be warm enough in our wetsuits. Most people are surprised by how comfortable the water is once they're moving.
How far in advance should I book?
During peak summer months (July and August) we recommend booking at least two weeks in advance, as popular session slots fill quickly. In spring and autumn, a few days' notice is usually sufficient. We do occasionally have last-minute availability — it is always worth calling or emailing to check.
Can I book for a mixed-ability group of friends?
Absolutely. This is one of our most common bookings. We'll split your group into ability-matched smaller groups, each with their own instructor. Everyone gets the right level of challenge and coaching, and you can all share the experience together on the beach afterwards. Just tell us the ability range when you enquire.
Which beach should I choose — Freshwater West or Newgale?
In most cases, we'll advise you on the best beach based on the forecast conditions for your booking date. Freshwater West tends to suit more experienced surfers on bigger days; Newgale is often better for beginners and intermediates. Both are outstanding beaches. We monitor forecasts daily and will always put you in the best place.
Do I need travel insurance to surf?
We strongly recommend that all lesson participants hold appropriate personal travel or activity insurance. We are fully insured as operators, but personal insurance covers you for any personal accidents, lost property, or medical costs that fall outside our policy. Most standard travel insurance policies cover recreational surfing lessons.
Can adults with no fitness background manage beginner lessons?
Yes. Beginner surfing is surprisingly accessible regardless of fitness level. Paddling uses muscles you may not use regularly, so you will feel it the next day — but it is not a prerequisite to be fit to enjoy your first lesson. We adjust the session pace to the group. If you have any health conditions, simply mention them when booking and we will accommodate you accordingly.
Do you offer gift vouchers?
Yes. Surf lesson gift vouchers are available for any of our lesson types and price points. They are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase and can be redeemed against any available session. Contact us directly to arrange a voucher — we can email a digital version or post a printed card.
Get in Touch
Ready to get in the water? Fill in the form and we'll come back to you within 24 hours to confirm your booking, advise on the best lesson for your level, and answer any questions you have.
Prefer to speak directly? Call us or drop us an email. We're a small team and we pick up the phone. We won't pass you around a call centre.
Book a Lesson or Enquire
We respond to all enquiries within 24 hours.