Water based sports
Being so close to the sea, there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy a variety of water-based sports and excellent instruction. Several of the local beaches are popular with surfers who offer lessons and equipment hire, for example Bude Surfing Experience at Summerleaze and Freewave Surf Academy at Widemouth. Both companies offer Stand Up Paddle too; at Summerleaze, learners also have access to Bude Sea Pool and Bude Canal which are great resources for SUP learners.
New for this season from Freewave Surf, you can try a late night surf during the long summer evenings, where you can surf with an instructor followed by a delicious BBQ and toasty beach fire!
For any adrenalin junkies, put your nerve to the test and try Coasteering! Groups go out daily amongst some of the most breath-taking landscapes around the British coastline, where you will see masses of wildlife from seals to peregrine falcons.
There are plenty of other less extreme water-based pastimes available too, from body boarding in the sea, to hiring canoes and taking out rowing boats on the canal. Shoreline offer kayaking, sea kayaking, surf kayaking and Canadian canoeing.
Action sports instruction
If you fancy some sporting action that does not involve getting wet, then here are some of our favourites:
Rock climbing and abseiling –Experience the fabulous coastline from a cliff face with Shoreline Extreme Sports. Learn how to abseil down 100 ft rock face – both introductory and advanced rock climbing courses are available with very experienced and highly qualified instructors.
Go Karting – a great family day out with Karts and tracks for all abilities and available to drivers from just 3 years old! Kartworld is about 50 minutes away just off the A38 near Liskeard.
Zip Wire and Giant Swing – for those with a head for heights, check out the Adrenalin Quarry to zip wire over a flooded quarry and experience zero gravity on the UK’s tallest Giant Swing!
Here’s a video of the experience!
Golf courses and driving ranges
Bude is well-served for keen golfers with a number of courses in close proximity:
Bude Golf Club – is an 18-hole links golf course in the centre of Bude with spectacular sea views. Par 71.
IvyLeaf Golf Course – 2 miles away and just off the A39 is Ivyleaf’s 9 hole parkland course. This 2300 yard Par 32 course welcomes beginners and being on the top of a hill, makes for interesting shots on a windy day! 01288 321592
Holsworthy Golf Club – 8 miles away (over the border!) is Holsworthy course reputed to be the best maintained parkland course in Devon. Par 69
Launceston Golf Club – 16 miles away, Launceston is a challenging course for all standards of golfer. Par 70.
Ivyleaf Driving Range – next to the Ivyleaf Golf Course is an undercover, floodlit driving range, open 7 days and ideal for sharpening your technique. There is also a Golf Pro base there for tuition. Call 01288 321592
Fishing
There is plenty of opportunity for fishing locally, from sea fishing from Bude Bay, to course fishing on the canal or Trout fishing in some of the inland waters. We can also arrange a private days fishing with a local guide. Call us for details – 01288 352940
Shore and Beach Fishing : Codling, Flat Fish, Mackerel, Whiting and Dogfish can be caught from Bude Breakwater.
Course fishing with day permits:
Bude Canal – the Canal is home to Roach, Rudd, Bream, Tench, Perch and Carp and Bude Canal Angling Association Rules apply. You can get Day Tickets on the bank. 01288 352755
Hele Barton – River fishing at Poundstock just a couple of miles south of Bude where you can catch Tench and Mirror. Day tickets available all year round – 01288 341622
Lower Lynstone Lakes – Lake fishing for Mirror, Carp and Tench, open all year – 01288 352726
Fishing and shooting accessories – local supplier Waterfront Fishing and Shooting, on the Wharf in Bude – 01288 359606
