[ivanmcp]

If you visited the Westward Ho beach, please vote in the poll and leave your comments below.

[paulalwayssearchin]

Ive lived in Westward Ho and what can I say???? I could drive 30 minutes to Bude, 40 minutes to Braunton Sands or an hour to Croyd.....or I could walk 5 minutes to Westward Ho!!!! The break is not a great one I have to admit and it is NOT a destination beach.... However if you find yourself there and want to go for a surf then theres a few hints I can give you.... On the far left hand side of the beach is a rocky reef...follow that round for several hundred yards and you'll come across a pipeline disappearing into the sea...this is "point x",,,,a great break for extremely proficient surfers!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you're not it'll hurt you....a lot!! If you're more intermediate, like me....then get down the right side of the beach, towards the steps from the "burrows" onto the beach.....theres always a decent break just to the right of this spot....but be careful of when the tide hits the pebble ridge, as getting out can suddenly become VERY dicey.......... All in all Westward Ho is a strictly average surfing spot but if you find yourself unluckily stranded in Bideford or a similar God forsaken place, then there is a decent break to be found if you make the effort...and it saves a looooong drive to somewhere else!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Have fun.....

Paul.

[Hazza]

I recently moved from Hampshire to North Devon and in the process gave up footy...After just a few months it became very obvious that something needed to replace footy as my waistline was expanding! As it only takes 35 minutes to get to Bude, 40 odd minutes to Saunton and 25 minutes to Westward Ho! it was down right rude not to give surfing a bash!

I duly bought a longboard and headed into the surf at Westward Ho! I haven't yet had any lessons and have little experience of surfing other beaches, but I have to say that Westward Ho! is bloody perfect for starting out. Seeing as I spend most of my timefalling off my board and generally looking bloody stupid, the added pressure of surfing where goods surfers are carving it up and getting rather pissed at me falling over near them isn't needed!

I was at Westward Ho! several times this week, great offshores, 2-4 ft of clean surf and very few people to share it with! I had time and space to wipe out monstrous amounts of time and as a result am really starting to get to grips with things. Cant see I would get that chance at the better spots around.

Once I get up to a better level I think it wont be challenging or entertaining enough though. I have also noticed as paul mentions that the breaks around the steps at the far end of the beach works best, tide plays a part - to high and you end up on the pebble banks and nasty currents - too low and you have to walk miles and not much happens when your out there!

But if your'e looking for a bit of space, some reasonable waves without any pressure, its a pretty good bet!

[ANCIENTWILLIAM]

Welcome to the forum fella & what a superb post in regards to the beach!

I've never been to this area of DEVON surfing before ... heck, I've never surfed in DEVON come to think of it but I might just have to give this place a try!

[ILee]

Wonder if he is still doing it 2 1/2 years down the line.

[ANCIENTWILLIAM]

LOL, wondered if someone would bite

[ILee]

I do wonder sometimes where these people dissappear to as they all love surfing so much and never come back? Maybe they have all drowned?

[ANCIENTWILLIAM]

Back then mate it was probably the likes of KEONA & the forum gimp who's currently in Oz scaring the new people !!!

I have often wondered that too with the amount of new people who join up & never post!
Maybe on a serious note they are intimidated, unless there a strong character of some of the stronger personalities on this forum & the familiarity between us etc.

Its funny as with most regulars on here I class them as mates though I've never met three quarters of them!

[ILee]

Originally Posted by ANCIENTWILLIAM

I have often wondered that too with the amount of new people who join up & never post!
Maybe on a serious note they are intimidated, unless there a strong character of some of the stronger personalities on this forum & the familiarity between us etc.

Its funny as with most regulars on here I class them as mates though I've never met three quarters of them!

It's not as though everyone on here isn't friendly enough, maybe were to friendly.

[Hazza]

Just visited back for the first time in a while and seen the additional comments and you will be pleased to know (I hope) that I am still surfing and getting somewhat better. Furthermore, I still surf Westward Ho! as often as work permits! I occasionally get a chance to surf Gwithian too..

Amazing what 2 odd years can do though as I visited Westward Ho! the other weekend and it was PACKED!

Maybe posting on here had the wrong affect!

[ILee]

Welcome back and glad to hear you are still surfing.

Hope you have signed the BSA petition and joined Facebook with regards the BA surfboard ban like 8,000 people have.

http://www.gopetition.com/online/14891.html

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5286497429