Coasteering in Polzeath, Cornwall with Cornish Rock Tors.

9:30 on a Saturday morning on Polzeath beach we wait...

We wait for what lies ahead of us. As we look out to the sea, the rough, unsympathetic and powerful sea of which we would soon be at the mercy of. We wait for COASTEERING!

Firstly, we would like to say that this extreme sport is a must for adrenaline junkies of all walks of life and a great activity which is accessible to everyone who can swim.

Together with the rest of our group (eight of us in total), we met our two instructors for the day from Cornish Rock Tors. These guys really know what they are talking about as they are both fully qualified beach lifeguards and rock climbing instructors. They will immediately put you at ease and are very relaxed and friendly.

After they measured us up with all the required clothing (wetsuit, wetsuit boots, buoyancy aid and helmet), we headed to Port Gaverne, a short 10min drive away, where we could leave our cars and get changed in a car park near the cliff edge. At the cliff edge, we were given the safety and hand signal talks and were told about what to watch out for i.e. fishing line and seals. Then the words “We are getting in here!” came out of the instructors' mouths. A 17ft cliff jump was the first obstacle of the day! What a great way to start. Nothing like getting stuck in!

After a demonsration on they correct way to jump by the instructor, it was our turn. Jump out with arms like an eagle and then pull them into your chest at the last minute. SPLASH! Into Mother Nature’s washing machine (the sea, for those not following). Big waves crashing on the rocks echoed around us. Then, after everyone made the adrenaline rushing first jump, we swam though a bottle neck rock formation. The force of the wave pushed us though the small gap and into a sheltered area.

We were then taught shallow entry jumps and how to exit the sea with the help of the swell. We explored some of the coast, swimming into small caves and climbing on rocks.

Then came the big one; a difficult swell assisted sea exit and climb before the wave led us to a 25ft cliff jump. Not everyone in our group completed this disco-leg inducing task as this felt a lot higher that 25ft. This jump has to be timed so you land in the water when the swell is at its highest. A countdown from the instructor "3, 2, 1, JUMP!" and you're airborne! The adrenaline is flowing! This is what it is all about! After being congratulated by the instructor in the water on our jump, it was time to head back.

We had a great day with Cornish Rock Tors. A professional and friendly team who made us feel totally safe at all times. The course we took was the intermediate course. The foundation course is more for the younger adrenaline junkies and the advanced can only be taken after the intermediate.

Special thanks to Simon and Matthew at Cornish Rock Tors.