Surf school loses bookings after paddleboard theft

Robin Ross says the business is losing bookings in the run-up to Easter

A surf school in Cornwall has been left high and dry in the run-up to Easter after a trailer full of paddleboards was stolen.

Robin Ross, from Freewave Surf Academy in Bude, said the box trailer was loaded with 14 boards, paddles and wetsuits when it was stolen on Sunday.

He said it was seen being towed from the Crescent car park by a dark-coloured Discovery-type 4x4 at about 04:10 BST.

Devon and Cornwall Police urged anyone with information about the theft to contact them.

'Big impact'

Mr Ross said the value of the stolen equipment was about £5,000 but the cost to replace it would be closer to £16,000.

He said the academy had lost a large group booking and had to cancel the start of this season's Stand Up Paddling club event.

"Unless we can solve the problem pretty quickly, it's going to eat into the busy season," he said.

"[It will have] a big impact on our livelihoods."

Offers of help

After sharing the predicament on social media, he said he had received "a fantastic response" - including from a company in Gosport, Hampshire, which offered to loan 40 paddleboards.

Mr Ross said: "It bridges the gap, but we have to ask ourselves whether we can afford to replace it all."

Describing the stolen trailer, Mr Ross said it was an Ifor Williams BV126 trailer, measuring 5ft (4.5m) long by 8ft (2.4m) high.

It has a wood-clad interior, new stainless steel bolts and an air vent at the front, he said.