RAVEL MAKE WAVES
IT was just before dawn and I was woken by my excited six-year-old son.
He could barely wait for his first proper surfing lesson, having had to put up with me teaching him for the last few years.
So soon enough we were off, a thermos of hot chocolate in hand, wetsuits in the back of the car, to The Wave in Bristol.
The venue is an inland-surfing pool producing 1,000 consistent and safe waves an hour.
Any age and ability can give it a go, from children testing their balance for the first time to the more professional surfer polishing their technique.
Situated in Easter Compton just outside the city, The Wave itself is surrounded by gardens designed to create a relaxed and holistic experience.
One of the main aims is to offer access to disadvantaged children around the UK and develop surf therapy.
Waves might be food for the soul, but the catering at The Wave excelled – it was packed to the gunwales with cakes, organic delicacies, hot beverages and plenty of beer on tap. Our first task was to find our instructor George. Nobody should be that perky at 6am while wearing neoprene. He showed us the wetsuits and kit – all included in the price of the entry ticket, which is an added bonus – but we had our own.
Once kitted out, we watched a safety video of the dos and don’ts when out on the water, which we could see through the full-length glass doors.
George gave us a wellrehearsed surfing lesson on dry land. The sea is unpredictable, with each wave rarely consistent, but this is where The Wave excels.
It is divided in two, with the area nearest the shore reserved for beginners while at the back, the more powerful waves are for the more experienced.
Its design means the experts’ wave peters out before reaching the learners’ zone, creating a natural break so the two groups are kept apart. The instructors can concentrate on smaller classes – each wave glassy and predictable, meaning that you know what is coming. This allows the coaches to offer clear and consistent advice.
My son Abe has a healthy respect for the sea but he has always been sat on my board with me when we surf. After five waves, he and the two other children in our group were up on their feet riding their boards – a testament to both the calibre of the coaching and the advantage of the clean waves. Despite offering many of the latter, the hour-long session in the water ended far too soon.
The Wave is a perfect treat to those visiting the area and well worth the trip for individuals or families who want to try surfing in the safest possible environment.
Sure, it is more expensive than a day’s car parking and petrol to Saunton Sands in Devon, but the trade-off is that you get perfect guaranteed waves.