My picks in Sports & Active

British surfers know to head down to the Atlantic coast of Cornwall, in the southwest corner of England, which benefits from a mild climate and has fine sandy beaches on its northern coastline. Based in Newquay, Cornwall Surf Academy runs programs on some of the best beaches, including the less-crowded Holywell Bay, where the gentle waves are great for beginners. The group and private classes are open to children ages 8 and up, and are ideal for novices and intermediate wave riders. Students use soft, stable boards and lessons start with on-beach safety and basic board instruction, so you'll feel more at ease when you get into the water. Changing facilities and hot showers are available at Holywell Bay, and all surfing gear can be rented.

Half-day lessons £30 adults, £25 children.

The instructors at Australia's Byron Bay Surf School know that picking up a board for the first (or second or third) time can be an intimidating and nerve-wracking experience. Their philosophy is to make sure you learn on waves perfectly suited to your ability, and the varied surf conditions at Byron Bay—the most easterly point in Australia, about 2.5 hours' drive south of Brisbane—create the ideal training ground. Take a two-hour private or group lesson with one of the passionate and dedicated instructors, who'll not only teach you the basics but the art (and science) of wave selection and reading currents, so you'll be more comfortable and confident when you decide to venture out on your own. Accommodation is not provided by the school but there are plenty of upscale choices in Byron Bay from private and self-contained beach houses to top-notch hotels and resorts—we recommend Byron at Byron Resort & Spa or the fabulous Rae's on Wategos. If you want to get the most out of the surf school, multi-day courses are available.

Two-hour private lessons from $120 (not including equipment rentals).

According to former pro-surfer Richard Schmidt: “The only prerequisite for learning to surf is knowing how to swim.” In fact, Schmidt and his enthusiastic surf school staff guarantee their clients will stand up by the end of the first lesson—even if it's with a little help from an instructor. Operating year-round on a terrific stretch of beaches in the Monterey Bay area, the Richard Schmidt Surf School offers two-hour group and semi-private lessons or private tuition by the hour. When you schedule a lesson (advance reservations required), you'll be given directions to meet up with your instructor at the location with the best wave conditions that day. Boards, equipment and extra-warm Billabong wetsuits are provided.

Private lessons $80 per hour; with Schmidt $130 per hour.

Move aside, surf gods. Time for surf divas to strut their stuff. When Izzy Tihany founded her La Jolla-based surfing school for women more than a decade ago, she decided that custom-made programs were the way forward—and she hasn't looked back. Now the school offers private lessons for men and women, as well as summer day camp sessions for 5- to 10-year olds, but the most popular program is the year-round weekend and 5-day clinics for women only. With a minimum of three students per clinic, you won't receive the one-on-one attention of a private lesson, but you'll have a lot of fun—one thing Surf Diva guarantees. For two hours on Saturdays and Sundays, weekend sessions incorporate the basics of wave riding and a colorful introduction to the surfing lifestyle—check out the fab range of apparel and gear at the La Jolla camp store or online.

Weekend clinics $165 per student; private lessons $82.50 per hour.