Catch some waves with the Hyundai i800

Surfing may be the last activity anyone feels like now we are in autumn but with half term upon us it is the perfect time to hit the beach. The wetsuit will keep you warm, beaches will be empty, and the kids will get some fresh air.

In fact for Sarah Whiteley it’s the perfect time of year for the coast as she runs Walking on Waves surf school at Saunton Beach, North Devon. This season is ideal for teaching people to surf, she says. “Not only are the beaches quiet but so is the sea, meaning you don’t have to worry about bumping into swimmers, body-boarders or other surfers.”

Sarah started competing at 16, eventually winning the English nationals at Woolacombe Beach and is also a former European Champion.

Sarah has just taken delivery of a Hyundai i800 eight-seat MPV. Not only is it a perfect choice for her for the amount of wetsuits, boards and kit she has to transport, she also uses it as a meeting point because it stands out amongst much older camper vans frequently seen in beach car parks.

The i800 has a whopping 851 litres of space even when loaded with eight adults, that’s more than most estate cars and leaving plenty of space for kit. You could even get a surf-board in the back rather than on roof-rails if you don’t have passengers.

Commenting on her new i800 Sarah said; “An archetypal surfer’s vehicle is a VW camper, but the last thing I wanted to do is get into an unrefined, unreliable vehicle after an exhausting day on the waves. Knowing I can get my students and all my kit in the vehicle is really reassuring and the five-year warranty gives me added peace of mind and it certainly attracts attention in the beach car park.”