Get on your bike, son – our man tries cycle ‘surfari’ in Perranporth, Cornwall
GET on your bike, son ... in a wetsuit ... on the Cornish sand (and carrying a surfboard).
Welcome to Cycle Surfari, the new way to find great waves.
Or, in my case, a more gentle swell all to myself — and my surfing legend instructor for the day.
I am in Perranporth, near Newquay, to have my first go at surfing.
Despite living my whole life on the coast, I've never been on a board. And I'm not much of a swimmer.
But I couldn't be in better hands than those of the instructors at the Ticket To Ride Surf School.
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My teachers range from Josh Devaney, 21, a novice who caught the surfing bug on a Ticket To Ride trip to Mozambique three years ago, to Sam Lamiroy, 40, a multiple British champion and inventor of the iAM surfing bands ability measure.
There are ten colours on the scale ranging from white Explorer through to purple Icon.
The purple wristband (only ever awarded to two people) will have to wait, my eyes are firmly set on earning my yellow Learner band. To do this, I need to prove I can catch my own waves and stand up for at least three seconds while maintaining control of the board. Easy.
Well actually, it's a bit harder than that. The sea is a tricky mistress. It won't stand still for a moment while I plan my attack and get balanced.
My first few attempts take place on an empty beach in Newquay.
The coast there is one huge expanse of sand when the tide is out but transforms into a host of secluded coves when it comes in.
The Ticket To Ride school in Newquay has private access to one such cove on Tolcarne Beach.
I learn the basics before taking my board into the sea for an hour of waves and wipeouts as the sun goes down. I'm not quite Yellow yet.
The next day, I head to Perranporth to the surf academy's sister school and a stay at the linked Seiners Arms. The 19th century fisherman's inn is right on the beach, with spectacular views of one of the UK's most attractive landscapes. Tasty grub too, especially on two-forone steak night on Mondays.
The main sands there are popular with surfers of all abilities but it can get a little crowded. This is where Ticket To Ride's innovative Cycle Surfari comes in.
Cornwall has miles of waves for surfers to explore. You've just got to get there. And now you can hire a fat-tyred bike — designed for cycling on sand, with a surfboard carry rack — pack a picnic and ride along the beach until you find your perfect combination of waves and solitude.
Sam and I only go a few hundred metres until we find the ideal bay.
He teaches me about how unseen peaks and troughs under the water affect the waves and about rip currents — how to spot one and what to do if you are caught by one.
I had a great time waiting for the 4ft waves to break into more manageable white water, jumping on my board and riding back to shore.
I master Yellow but making the board go in the direction I want and moving up to Orange level is going to have to wait a while.
But I have the bug now. I will be down my local surf school in Kent to keep it going. And I will turn up the proud owner of a yellow wristband, with purple flecks in it.
Why purple flecks? To remind us there's a little bit of Icon in all of us.
GO: CYCLE SURFARI
CYCLE and surf sessions at the Ticket To Ride Surf School in Perranporth from £45pp ( or 222 565). B&B in a room in the Seiners Arms in Perranporth is £85 or 01872 573 118).
Other activities: Private cycle session, £70 per person.Fat bike rental only, £half-day cycle hire. Get a 150-minute surf lesson from £30 a head.
Or Ride S from£2 sharing with firs during 2 includin equipme why not try the Ticket To Surf and Stay B&B deal from £245, based on two a double or twin room, first-class surf coaching x 150min lessons and including 2 x afternoon equipment hire.