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July 2005 - Features
The sea provides wonderful opportunities for having fun and learning new skills, whether you are on boats, learning about the creatures of the deep or learning beach skills. Here are some special activities for this summer.
The Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro, has a fabulous shark exhibition and loads of children's activities (see magazine for more details).
National Maritime Museum Cornwall, 01326 214532 www.nmmc.co.uk, 'Surf's up!' Opens 9th July, the UK's first major surf exhibition. 'Trafalgar - The Race Home' opens 25th July, centres on Horatio Nelson, the Battle of Trafalgar and Lieutenant Lapenotiére's race home. Family activities from 27th July include 'Make and sail your own paper boat', 'Privilege Chests' and 'Design your own surfboard.'
Blue Reef Aqarium, Newquay, 01637 878134: Explore the wonders of the deep with excellent daily tasks, feeding displays and sensational walk-through aquarium. At this summer's Rockpool Encounter you can learn about our native shoreline and creatures.
West Coast Safari. "Kids Only" Surf School and Club at Watergate Bay, Newquay teaches beach safety, surfing, fitness training and water coaching to 6 to 12 year olds. Equipment provided. Book on 01637 876083. Their surfing birthday parties sounds cool too. West Coast also works with schools and youth-focused groups to make sure children are beach aware and able to recognize and avoid surfing hazards.
Sea Squirts, Maenporth Beach, Falmouth, 07803 959905, www.seasquirts.co.uk. Bubbly and enthusiastic, Jo Hurley (qualified marine biologist and PADI scuba instructor), runs special rockpool safari and snorkelling courses for 5 to 15 year olds and an excellent weekly childrens club (for £4 you can spend an evening learning about our marine environment and play games). On the 3 hour course, you scramble round rockpools and learn all sorts of interesting marine facts to get the PADI 'AWARE' (aquatic world awareness responsibility education) kids' certificate; then snorkel underwater to complete the PADI 'Discover Snorkelling' award. Fins. mask, snorkel, wetsuit and safety buoyancy vest are provided.
The Adventure Centre at Lusty Glaze Beach, Newquay 01637 872444, runs fun and educational activities for children of all ages, including birthday parties, surf school, junior Baywatch, Baywatch Babes, Rat Run, Aquanaughts and junior survival skills. They encourage an understanding and enjoyment of the coast as well as of its potential dangers.
Ponsharden Park and Float: and Fal River Links, 01326 319417. Short or long, a boat trip is a real treat. Park in the Ponsharden car park and catch a restored classic wooden boat to Falmouth or take a longer journey on the Fal River Link boats to Truro, Trelissick Gardens, Smuggler’s Cottage or St Mawes. Passengers get discounted entry tickets to the NMMC. A day out on the beautiful Helford River (without your car!) is magical; and you can visit lovely gardens, local coves and beaches.
Helford Ferry (above) takes passengers between Helford Point and Helford Passage (South West Coast Path), then onward to the Budock Vean Hotel, Trebah Garden and Glendurgan Garden. Truronian buses go to Helford from Falmouth and Helston. Ferry times: 01326 250770.
Take to the waves with Orca Seafaris, Falmouth 01326 214928, in their amazing, speedy RIB. See all sorts of wonderful sea creatures like seals whilst out at sea and learn all about them.
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