Silver surfing at sixty plus

 

 

 It’s got sand, sun (well, perhaps not all year!), and has been Clive Williams’ favourite surfing spot - for 45 years!

 

 

 

 The retired telephone engineer first started riding the waves on the beach at Haven Holidays’ Perran Sands Holiday Park in north Cornwall in 1965.

 

And, apart from a short spell of a few years when he gave up the sport, he has been doing it ever since – all year round in all kinds of weather.

 

In fact he loves surfing so much he and his wife Sue bought a holiday home overlooking the fabulous three-mile sandy beach at the four-star caravan park - even though they live just a few miles away in the picturesque seaside village of Perranporth.

Their three-bedroom Willerby Richmond luxury, static caravan has all the comforts of home from home including a spacious lounge and dining area, fully-equipped kitchen, cozy bedrooms, central heating and a balcony with breathtaking sea views.

 

And if they need to get home to check the post or feed the cat, it’s only a five minute drive away.

 

Clive, 62, said: “We have one of the prime spots at Perran Sands directly overlooking the beach.  It’s absolutely ideal for me as I can go there and get changed before an afternoon’s surfing and have a shower afterwards.  Sue doesn’t surf but we both like swimming and we regularly use the pools at Perran Sands or enjoy an evening’s entertainment there. And our family including our grandchildren love staying in the caravan, there’s so much for children to do at the park.

 

“We also love taking our dog for long walks along the sand dunes – it must be one of the best dog walking areas in the country.”

As owners of a caravan on the award-winning holiday park, Clive and Sue are given eight entertainment passes to use the many facilities at the resort.  So even if the couple have rented out their holiday home to holidaymakers – as they do – they can still enjoy a swim, meal or evening out there.

But for Clive, surfing is the main attraction.  “The beach at Perran Sands is becoming more popular with surfers.  It has some very good sandbanks which make for some excellent waves.  I  started  surfing  in  1965 after a friend  encouraged me to take it up.   Back then ,  surfboards were very long, 10ft.  Then in the early 1970s there was a surfing revolution and the short board which was more maneuverable came in but long boards are now becoming more popular again.  I've always preferred them as they suit my style of surfing.

He added: " I've only had one break of a few years when I didn't go surfing, but I took it up again about ten years ago.  Now I like to go as often as I can – everyday if the conditions are good.  I have winter and summer wetsuits and was out just before Christmas. “

Clive has surfed all over the South West including Cornwall, North Devon and on the south coast at Bournemouth, but his favourite moment was riding the huge Pacific rollers on Waikiki beach, Hawaii, on Christmas Day two years ago with a sea temperature of 75 deg F.

Keen on the active life, he plays squash, goes to the gym and is looking forward to many more years of regular surfing but not at competitive level. “I just do it for fun. It’s the most exhilarating of sports,” he said.

Perran Sands sits on one of the biggest sand dune systems in Britain and offers surfing lessons and equipment hire among a wide range of outdoor activities including nature walks on the 500-acre Penhale Sands, a Site of Scientific Interest. 

There’s also plenty of other activities including bike and kart hire, adventure golf, Rory’s Playland, archery, fencing and an all weather multi-sports court, plus a full entertainment programme and a wide range of eating out options including a recently refurbished café bar & grill with terrace.  Holiday home owners are also invited to regular social events exclusively for the owners including at least three balls during the season and special Sunday breakfasts among other activities such as cheese and and wine evenings.

Holiday homes at Perran Sands Holiday Park start at £15,000 and go up to more than £75,000 including first year’s site fees. For more information visit www.havenholidayhomes.co.uk or phone 0871 230 1299.