Here are a series of reviews of the best places in the UK to learn to surf. Take a look and let us know if you think we have missed anywhere out or want to add some wise words!
Having spent some time in Wales I came to learn that although the place gets battered by the rain for a hell of a lot of the time; summer and winter, that with this mighty power comes the quality swells that the UK South Coast rarely catches a glimpse of. A true gem of a place, from the bars and restaurants on St. Marys Street to the rugged coastline of the Gower and beyond.
For the beginner, whether you’re fresh out of school into college or a seasoned drinker finishing your studies at university taking some much deserved time out, you’ll be sure to find some suitable breaks in deepest Wales.
Llangennith Beach
This 3 mile stretch of sand -bottomed Gower coastline works on all tides and picks up any swell that’s going. Therefore it can be quite busy especially when the wind is from the east (offshore). During the summer months the beach area toward the campsite at Hillend is lifeguarded – a bonus if you’re just starting out or it’s bigger than you expected!
Caswell Bay
Only 15 minutes from Swansea makes Caswell a perfect spot for those wanting to fit in a quick session between studies or work. Takes a big south-westerly swell to get going and produces some quality lefthanders at the western end of the bay. Works on all tides with offshore being north-easterly.
St Brides Bay
St Brides consists of 5 miles of different breaks which pick up any swell that’s going in the area. Best to head for Newgale at the northern end of the bay as a beginner with waves for everyone and a small surf hire shop which rents boards at a steal. This place works on all tides with offshore winds being easterlies.
Much like Wales; Cornwall and Devon are in the lucky position that there’s nothing but 3500 miles of uninterrupted North Atlantic between them and the USA. This gives the south - westerly swells time to build before unloading on the shores of the UK. There are breaks galore across both of these counties for the beginner and pro alike so if you’re gonna be spending a lot of time down there then probably best bet is to pickup a south-west surf guide from any good surf shop. Fistral and Town Beaches in the centre of Newquay are probably the most renowned of Cornwall’s breaks with several peaks at each location working at different stages of the tide so just head on down and see which is working and suits your ability best. Pubs and clubs galore, Newquay has venues to suit everyone, particularly Sailors and Berties where the nights always go off.
Here's a few other consistent breaks in the area suitable for beginners wanting to hit the water:
Watergate Bay
Just north of Newquay this 2 mile stretch of sand has various peaks dependent on the weather conditions. You’ll find a wave at all states of the tide here so just keep an eye out for that South Easterly that will give you classic offshore conditions.
Perranporth
The long beach here is another popular spot with beginners due to its size and variety of breaks. The break works on all states of the tide with wicked lefts at the southern especially around mid-tide when they begin to hollow-out. Close to Chapel Porth 5 mins further south if you’re ready for a wave with more power. Sandy seabed so easier on the head during those killer wipe-outs.
Gwithian
Heading down towards St. Ives you’ll come across this break at the northern end of St. Ives Bay. Works on all tides although gets close to the rocks at high tide forcing you to move further up the beach. Not as crowded as would expect but you won’t have the place to yourself if the surf’s pumping. South Easterly is offshore.
May well be a place more suited to the sailor or yachtsman as some like to be heckled…I mean called, but If you're a surfer, and there's a wave you're smiling! Some times when you least expect it, the English Channel can cook up some real corkers and I’ve had wicked sessions in small yet quality surf in the relative warmth of the south coast sunshine.
The Witterings
My stomping grounds for many years and what a place it is. Not the most consistent but what can you expect for being half way up the English Channel. The long stretch of East and West ‘Witters’ are made up of wooden groynes between which the waves break, working best on the incoming tide but turning into a shore dump at high. If you’re just starting out make sure you keep an eye on the groynes and on the land as the rips can be quite strong. If the summer flats have kicked in or the winter storms have blown it out then forget the board and stroll along the beach down to East Head coz it’s the most stunning beach on the South Coast and due to nature taking control over recent years; won’t be there for much longer! Offshores are North Easterly.
Bournemouth Pier
A crowded South Coast spot that breaks off the pier which stretches 100 metres out to sea. Similar to ‘The Witters’ it works best in winter when the Atlantic storms have kicked in sending swell our way but a high pressure is sitting above the UK to keep the winds calm or offshore. If you are capable then you can head out back via the pier but as beginners I’d advise you to use the more traditional method of paddling out to where you feel comfortable. Although this place works on all states of the tide, there is always a good number of people in the line-up showing the growing surf base we have on the South Coast and for that reason watch out for flying boards and keep good spatial awareness. The place is easy to get to, easy to ride and in general the peeps have an easygoing attitude to new faces in the water. What more could you want ... 85 degree waters and waves would help!!
Ensuring we cover everyone’s backyard, and knowing we have a lot of love from the Islands; not mentioning the breaks of Jersey and Guernsey would be crazy. So if you’re heading over there check out some of these spots.
The surfing on both islands is found predominantly on the western and north - western coasts with easy access and good water quality across the board due to the pioneering UV treatment plants.
Vazon Bay (Guernsey)
The main peak in the bay is a popular spot with good surf between mid and high tide. Southerly winds are offshore.
Watersplash (Jersey)
Another break that’s a measure of the conditions on the rest of the island, Watersplash picks up any swell that’s going. It’s also close to the airport so once you hop of the plane you can hit the beach straight away. Works on all states of the tide but you need to keep a watch out for the odd rock when low tide is approaching. Winds from the east are offshore.
St Brelade's (Jersey)
This place can get busy especially as it’s the only place to go when the big swells closeout the rest of the island. The western end of the bay holds the best peaks.
This North Sea coastline is a haven of spots which work with swell originating from the low pressures that develop in the depths of the North Sea during the autumn and winter months. A number of the more southerly located breaks also create quality waves from swell that comes up from the English Channel.
Although a number of spots can be heavily polluted due to the concentration of industrialised cities along this coastline, there are many suitable breaks for the beginner to get to grips with the basics and where crowds won’t be an issue.
Tynemouth
Long Sands main beach is the most popular place in the area especially for beginners. Autumn to Spring is the best and most reliable time to visit this place. Long Sands works on all tides and westerly winds produce the offshore conditions you should be looking for to get the most out of the waves.
Sandsend Bay
This classic beachbreak picks up any swell that’s going in the area so if its not working here then it’s unlikely that any other breaks in the area will have a wave. Working on all states of the tide it has shifting peaks along the break so you’ll have to have look when you arrive where’s best to head for. Offshore is westerly.
Scarborough North bay
The wave generated here tends to happen in the middle of the bay around low tide. A fun wave for beginners and improvers alike, it breaks over a flat rock bed which again has offshore conditions when westelies are blowin from the land.
If you’re brave enough to venture up to the icy waters off the coast of Scotland or are local to the area then hats off to you as you’re a braver man than most. Miles of unspoilt coastline and empty breaks stretching up into the Outer Hebrides exist, waiting to be taken advantage of by the travelling surfer.
If you have the balls of a brass monkey then head up there in winter when the winds blow predominantly offshore making many breaks European classics although this may be more suitable to the experienced surfer.
Dunnet Bay
This gem is a 3 mile stretch of beach with waves that break on the sandbars along its entirety. This break works at all states of the tide and especially well when the wind is from the southeast as this is offshore. As you progress you may wish to check out the reef break at the northern end of the beach.
Tomsdale
This beachbreak is based close to the rivermouth where the sandbars produce good righthand breaks but there are shifting peaks due to the submerged sandbars. Low to mid tide is the best time here with offshores being southerly.
