I went solo to a surfing holiday in Cornwall – and returned with 15 new friends

It’s the perfect holiday snap. A gang of girls, crammed onto a rock on the Cornish headland, sparkling sea behind them, blue skies above. Laughing and smiling in only the way good friends having the best time do.

Except this group of women – of which I’m one – have known each other for 24 hours.

The day before, I arrived at a holiday house in Polzeath, Cornwall, for my first trip with Outdoor Adventure Girls (OAG). It is the UK’s largest female-only outdoor community and was started in 2021 by Sophie Davis, who was then a marketing manager in the charity sector.

Staying in shared accommodation helps guests to bond (Photo: Sophie Davis)

OAG organises weekends in Yorkshire, Snowdon or the Peak District, expeditions further afield, in places such as Costa Rica, a safari in South Africa, ski breaks and even a trip to Everest Base Camp.

Group trips with strangers create connections

The focus of our trip is closer to home – surfing in Cornwall – with other outdoor activities thrown in like hiking, swimming and yoga. As one of 16 women joining, some of whom have been on OAG breaks before, I’m not sure what to expect. Like most people, my holiday history is primarily with a partner or friends, not complete strangers.

As I enter, nerves jittering, I am greeted by Sophie, who happens to be hosting our trip. Then I am shown to my shared room, before I am introduced to my fellow holidaymakers. Minutes later, I am sitting on the balcony chatting to my new roommate, glass of wine in hand, wondering what I was worried about.

Quickly it emerges that, while we are all from different places, different backgrounds, and here for different reasons, we have plenty in common. We all want a bit of adventure and are open to sharing that with new people.

Worries gone, the evening passes in a whirlwind of laughter and conversation as we get to know each other, nerves quickly dissipating.

The next day, we have a group surfing lesson, bonding over the shared experience of a new pastime. There’s plenty of laughter as we’re bowled over by waves, any feelings of trepidation replaced by joy. A lunchtime break has us all basking in the pleasure of being away from daily life.

Everything is organised for you

Whether it’s time off work, a break from being “mum” or organiser, or headspace for those going through testing times, there’s a shared feeling that coming on an organised trip, with new people, is a reprieve – in many ways.

As conversations continue on a coast path hike, it becomes clear that any misconception that people who go on these kinds of holidays are somehow lonely, or friendless, is unfounded.

The group got on so well that they’ve planned more meet-ups (Photo: Sophie Davis)

Plenty of us have partners and families. All have friends. No one has a shortage of people to go on holiday with. But there are lots of reasons for wanting to holiday with strangers – simply because your friends might not fancy the same kind of break, or maybe a deeper desire to push beyond one’s comfort zone.

For Sophie, who set up OAG following a sexual assault in her early 20s, it was about wanting women to feel safe while solo travelling – showing them they have the confidence, resources and support to get outside. She also wanted to find new friends to do outdoorsy stuff with.

“It was the end of the last lockdown, and everybody just felt really isolated and lonely. I wanted to do more outdoor adventure stuff, but didn’t really know where to go, who to go with, where to start,” says Sophie.

“I had a partner and I’ve got wonderful friends, but I didn’t have people who wanted to do activities like surfing, hiking or jumping in a cold lake. So that’s why I started it.”

OAG began as a simple walking group, but soon snowballed to include weekend trips, and holidays further afield – a benefit for many participants being that everything’s organised for them, including activities, accommodation and meals. This is clear at dinner, when more than one person breathes a sigh of relief at not having to cook, while another self-confessed “planner” luxuriates in the fact she hasn’t had to organise a single activity.

In the coming days, we surf, walk, do yoga and chat – a lot. Evenings involve meals, games, movie nights, or whatever takes people’s fancy. The bonds are noticeable, the group photos an illustration of connections that will undoubtedly last.

Women-only holidays are increasingly popular

It’s what OAG prides itself on, a special something beyond itineraries and activities. The connections are helped somehow by the female-focused approach, which in our case includes our surf instructors, chef, and host, Sophie.

While she likes to host some trips, the number of OAG adventures that take place means she has a team of hosts, who are all paid. OAG’s regional groups also have volunteer moderators.

With UK weekends ranging from £350 to £725, including accommodation, evening meals, breakfasts and activities, it’s not an unaffordable way to holiday. Trips further afield can start from £1,799 and go up to £2,499.

There’s something comforting about a women-only trip. As we flounder around trying to learn to surf, there’s a distinct lack of embarrassment, and – more importantly – the trip provides a safe space for those who seek a women-only environment. It’s a growing trend, with travel companies dedicated to women-only clientele increasing by 230 per cent in the past few years, according to data complied by Brittany Ferries.

Yoga classes are among the included activities (Photo: Sophie Davis)

Meanwhile, a survey by US-based tour operator EF Go Ahead Tours found that 86 per cent of women expressed an interest in travelling with exclusively female groups. Since its own inception in 2022, OAG has grown to nearly 100,000 members across its platforms, including community groups, people who have come on trips, and those who follow it online, showing the attraction of a female-focused community.

“We’ve got so many women who have been on weekends or met in their local group and gone on to become close friends, meet up monthly and go on holiday together, or come back together on a trip that we do,” says Sophie.

After the Cornwall break, our WhatsApp group stays alive with swapped pictures, plans to meet up for hikes and walks, and the odd personal update. I find myself trawling OAG’s website for possible trips to go on in the future. Maybe surfing again, or perhaps one abroad – full of laughs and adventure, like I’ve just enjoyed for a few days.