I have always wanted to learn how to surf, but had never quite got around to it, so when the opportunity came up to test out the surf and spa situation at Fistral Beach Hotel, I leapt at it, and cajoled three of my colleagues into joining me.

Having secured the company of one person who has a serious aversion to sand, another who thinks exercise is cruel and unusual punishment, and a third who is terrified of large waves (our idea of ‘large’ differing somewhat), we were off to a promising start. It did also occur to me as we ventured towards the coast in Cornwall (my ultimate happy place), that this might have been one of those things that seemed like a good idea right up until the point you are spitting seawater and being smacked in the face with a large board.

An ideal alternative to group breaks and hen (or stag) parties, surfing at Fistral Beach is included in a number of their spa packages, so in addition to a two and a half hour surfing slot with the lovely people at the Quiksilver Surf School (you don’t have to use the whole thing if you get tired or cold) you can look forward to spa treatments, accommodation that’s right next to the beach, and some seriously good food. I fail to see a downside.

Our lesson was first thing in the morning, and given that the sea in April was not at its toastiest, it was just as well that Quiksilver provided wetsuits and all the paraphernalia to keep the cold at bay. Greeted by the bubbliest, blondest, nicest, and most incredibly encouraging instructor, Sarah, on whom we all developed whopping girl crushes over the next 90 minutes, we lasted an hour and a half in the water, in a lesson that proved enormous fun and even surmounted the aforementioned phobias and aversions – which is no mean feat.

To get a real idea of it all, I will let you enjoy the video, but keep this in mind next time you want a getaway with your besties – it was so much fun that the one with an aversion to sand has booked it for her next birthday!