Rock watersports: where to go and what to try

Rock is a watersport wonderland, spend five minutes on the waterfront and you’ll see boats from the sailing club, stand-up paddleboards, windsurfing and waterskiing in action. The water here is calm, making it the perfect place for families to enjoy a paddle or something more thrilling.

If you’re looking to explore life in, on or under the water around Rock, Cornwall, here’s our guide to Rock watersports.

Rock Watersports

Many people choose Rock for its watersporting potential. From paddleboarding and surfing with local surf school Wavehunters, to waterskis and wakeboarding at the UK’s largest waterski centre, Camel Ski School, Rock is a great location for trying something new or building on a hobby.

If you’d rather be under the water than on the water, diving is another option in Rock with Harlyn Dive School. The closest wreck to its launch site in Rock is Arthur Town, which takes around five minutes to reach by boat. Underwater lurks a small wreck, but look out for congers and trigger fish.

Beaches near Rock

While Rock has its own glorious sandy beach, you may want to explore beaches nearby. Cornwall beaches are so unique, each and every one has its own personality.

Daymer Bay

The next closest beach to Rock, just 1.5 miles away, is Daymer Bay. It has a more secluded feel to it than many local beaches because it’s slightly off the beaten track, but its gently sloping shores, shallow waters and gentle waves make it a fabulous beach to visit.

For those who enjoy activities on the water, it also attracts windsurfers and kite surfers.

Polzeath Beach

Polzeath beach it’s a surfer’s paradise, and a Blue Flag award-winning beach, which is easily accessible. It tends to offer long, slow-breaking surfing waves. The beach is sandy, with half a mile in each direction to enjoy at low tide (and virtually nothing at high tide) so make the most of its vast expanse for beach cricket, rounders, and Cornish ice cream.

Harbour Cove

If you fancy heading across the Camel Estuary, Harbour Cove is the closest beach from Padstow. A  dog-friendly beach, the sand is golden, the waters fairly shallow and, it has a secluded feel away from popular Padstow. Although it’s worth remembering that it’s not lifeguarded. Backed by grassy dunes, you are somewhat protected from the wind here too.

Fishing in Rock

Want to try your hand at angling? Fishing trips run daily from Rock with family business Rock Fishing Trips, which has been offering charter boat service for over 15 years. They offer a two-hour mackerel trip, which is a fun introduction to life at sea, or for those who want to make more of a day out of it, the reef trip allows keen fishermen to try catching pollock and cod as well as species fishing on the reef, such as bream and gurnards.