Surfing at Longsands: A Beginner's Guide
Everything you need to know about learning to surf at Longsands — from surf schools and equipment hire to the best conditions, etiquette, and staying safe in the water.
Longsands has been called "the surfing epicentre of the North East" by RNLI lifeguards — and it's easy to see why. This long stretch of sandy beach beneath Tynemouth's cliffs has nurtured generations of surfers, from former champions to first-timers catching their very first wave.
If you've been watching the wetsuit-clad figures from the promenade and wondering how to join them, here's everything you need to get started.
Why Longsands?
Longsands is a beach break, which means waves break over sand rather than rocks or reef. That's good news for beginners — wipeouts are far less punishing. The beach produces left and right-handers and offers rideable surf at all stages of the tide, making it forgiving for those still learning to read the water.
The beach is also one of 11 RNLI-lifeguarded beaches in north-east England, patrolled daily from late May through September. That added safety net makes it an ideal spot for anyone new to the sport.
Best for: A sandy beach break with waves at all tide stages, RNLI lifeguards in summer, and two established surf schools on the doorstep.
Surf Schools
Two well-established schools operate from Longsands, both offering all equipment as part of the lesson price.
Longsands Surf School
Longsands Surf School has been running lessons from the beach since 2009. They moved into their permanent base — the Surf Shack at the end of the promenade — in 2015. Lessons run at weekends year-round, daily during school holidays, and midweek when conditions allow.
Their Surf Club meets every Saturday and Sunday at 11am — two hours of surfing and coaching, open to ages 6 to 18. Think of it as a football club, but in the sea. All instructors hold lifeguard and coaching qualifications (Academy of Surfing Instructors or Surfing GB).
Tynemouth Surf Co
Tynemouth Surf Co offers surf lessons to all ages and abilities, with two-hour sessions including board and wetsuit hire. Water safety is covered as part of every lesson. Their beach hut has changing rooms and a shower for those taking lessons or hiring equipment.
Beyond surfing, they also offer stand-up paddleboard (SUP) lessons and hire on calmer days, plus bike hire for exploring the coast path.
Best Conditions for Beginners
You don't need perfect surf to learn — in fact, smaller, messier waves are often easier for beginners. That said, some general guidance:
- Swell direction: A north-easterly swell works best at Longsands.
- Wind: Offshore winds (from the west or west-southwest) clean up the waves and make them more predictable.
- Tide: The beach works through the tides, but mid-tide often produces the most consistent banks for beginners.
- Season: Summer offers warmer water and lighter winds, making it the most comfortable time to learn. Autumn and winter bring bigger, more consistent swells — better once you've got the basics.
The water is cold year-round. Even in August, you'll want a full wetsuit. In winter, boots, gloves, and a hood are essential.
Equipment Hire
Both surf schools hire out boards and wetsuits independently of lessons, so you can practise on your own once you've had instruction. Tynemouth Surf Co also hires SUP boards on calm summer days (around 1 hour for £20).
If you're buying your own gear, start with a foam-top or soft-top board — they're more buoyant, more forgiving on impact, and easier to paddle. A 7-8 foot board is a sensible starting point for most adults.
Surf Etiquette
The water can get busy, particularly on summer weekends. A few unwritten rules keep everyone safe and happy:
- Don't drop in. The surfer closest to the breaking part of the wave has priority. If someone is already riding, don't take off in front of them.
- Paddle wide. When heading back out, paddle around the breaking waves — not straight through the lineup where others are surfing.
- Hold your board. Never let your board go loose in the whitewater. A tumbling surfboard is a hazard to everyone nearby.
- Respect the lineup. If you've just paddled out, wait your turn rather than catching every wave that comes through.
- Stay in the zones. RNLI lifeguards mark swimming and surfing areas with flags. Surfers should stay outside the red and yellow swimming flags.
Safety
Longsands is broadly safe for beginners, but the sea always demands respect.
- Surf between the lifeguard flags (black and white chequered flags indicate the surfing zone). The red and yellow flags mark the swimming area — stay out of those on a board.
- Never surf alone until you're confident in your abilities and familiar with the beach.
- Check conditions before you go. Surf forecast sites give swell height, period, and wind direction. If in doubt, ask one of the surf schools — they're happy to advise.
- Rip currents can occur at Longsands. If caught in one, don't fight it — swim parallel to the shore until you're free of the pull, then head back in.
- Wear the right wetsuit. Hypothermia is a real risk in North Sea water, especially outside summer. Match your neoprene thickness to the season.
Best for: Cold water, rip currents, and other surfers — always check conditions, wear the right kit, and respect RNLI flag zones.
Getting Started
The simplest path in: book a beginner lesson with either Longsands Surf School or Tynemouth Surf Co. Both provide everything you need and will have you standing (or at least attempting to stand) within the first session. From there, hire gear and practise, ideally with a friend.
Surfing has a steep early learning curve — expect plenty of salt water up your nose — but the moment you catch your first green wave and feel the board accelerate beneath you, everything clicks.
Catch you on the waves. Get in touch if we've missed anything.