Ratho – Learn to Surf in Edinburgh's Wave Pool
A few hours.
The route
Lost Shore fills an old quarry at Ratho, on the western edge of Edinburgh, with a huge wave pool that sends waves rolling along its rock walls whatever the sea is doing.
A beginner's lesson starts on land and then puts you in the water on a soft board with a coach beside you. It's a great first go at surfing for anyone from seven, with a warm café to watch from afterwards.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
Book Surf lesson at Lost Shore Surf Resort
Book a beginner surf lesson at Lost Shore Surf Resort online before you go, from £65 adults and £55 children at the time of writing, 90 minutes, ages 7 and over and able to swim 25 metres; allow an hour before it to check in and change.
The day
Ratho
Half an hour learning on land, an hour catching waves in the quarry, then a hot drink watching the next session go out.
About three hours
Lost Shore
Lost Shore is at 11 South Platt Hill, Newbridge (EH28 8AY), by Ratho, with its own car park and blue badge spaces at the main entrance. Book a beginner lesson online before you go: from £65 for adults and £55 for children at the time of writing. It lasts 90 minutes, 30 of them on land and an hour in the water, and the 5/4 mm wetsuit, boots, gloves, hood and soft board are all included. You need to be 7 or over and able to swim 25 metres unaided. Allow an hour before your lesson to check in, change and hear the safety talk. The changing rooms are heated, with lockers, and lifeguards watch the pool. The resort opens every day from 8am, and the waves run while it's light. It's step-free throughout, cashless, and dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds and the Canteen but not the changing areas. The Canteen opens from 8am too, and anyone can sit and watch the surfers without booking.
If it rains
You're in a full wetsuit with a hood and gloves, so rain changes nothing, and the changing rooms are heated; the Canteen is indoors.
The Bridge Inn, a restaurant in Ratho.
Make it a weekend
More days out in Edinburgh.
Photograph by Jon Schwindt via Google