Hari S.
5/5
This is my 2nd year experience with Surfing Croyde Bay (SCB). I can't remember why I didn't leave review on the first year (2024), as we were really impressed by the whole A-Z, from booking to getting greeted by the instructors who were great with kids and they have a lot of positive energy. Thankfully some of the instructors remain the same, so I easily recognised them. Lets get the bad bits first which has nothing to do with them but at least a person reading this review have the right expectations. We booked surfing for whole week but the kids managed to get lessons only on Thursday afternoon as the wave was non-existent between Tuesday and Thursday morning. So just be prepared that Mother Nature decides if you could surf, not the team who runs it. Now the BEST bits. This is an awesome team. Starting from Deb, who did my booking - bless her, I booked the wrong week and appeared the week before the booked week. She managed to rebook with places remaining on the week I checked in, thankfully. Although, unfortunately we couldn't surf due to no wave, we kept moving to another date and so forth. On Wednesday, as the surf was cancelled again, they asked if the kids would want to do Coasteering, which we agreed and this was led by Ritchie. My kids enjoyed the session and was highly appraisal of Ritchie. Little did I know that Ritchie was doing coasteering on following day too, the one I was on. And he was accompanied by Charlie. Both Ritchie and Charlie were awesome. They kept us informed, went through the whole process and took us a journey I wouldn't forget. Its a shame CRB didn't have a photographer that day, which would have been nice to have these events captured. They took us through different rock heights, encouraged us to jump and knew exactly the "deep spot" - with the weather being just right, the water temperature was perfect and it was clear water. They looked out for us and took a good care of the group, especially me, even though I can swim very well, I did need some assistance - the sea swimming somewhat was more challenging. But at no point I felt I was neglected or wasn't looked after. The whole journey was brilliant and I would do it again! Jed led the surf session on Thursday afternoon, you know the kids had good time when they ask for Jed again! Joe and Charlie did the surf session on Friday morning, again, unremarkable experience. As I had to drive back to London on a 5hrs journey, I initially decided to leave after Friday morning surf session but the kids enjoyed it that we decided to do Friday afternoon too, which was led by Liam. Another young, calm and collective instructor who was brilliant with his group (I remember him from previous year) and my kids had a very good session with him. The only downside of this mother nature is that, when the waves were back, with all those who were rebooked between Thursday noon and Friday - the sea had a "traffic jam". Surfers, students, beach-goers flooded (pardon the pun) the sea - so there was a clash here and there but don't think anyone was hurt. If only we could extend our stay another day, I would have got my kids for another 2 lessons on Saturday. It is nice to know the quality hasn't dropped since last year and the team are still as humble, kind and as attentive as I have met them. Last year the review count on google was less than 100 and now its about 800 and I think its injustice to what you experience, the value and customer experience. If you ever want to learn surf in Croyde, for your kids or for yourself, this is who you go to. Wishing the team all the best and hope to see them again next year.
