Top Five Uk Surfspots For Beginners & Experts

ANCIENTWILLIAM · #1 (**permalink**) 20th July 2007, 15:54

Taken from the following times article :

http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/...cle2071782.ece

AND

Alex WADE recommends the following surf spots for beginners & experts :-

FOR BEGINNERS :

Sennen Cove, Cornwall – an exquisite bay that picks up any swell going with waves suitable for all levels of ability. Contact www.sennensurfingcentre.com and www.smartsurf.co.uk for lessons.

Watergate Bay, Cornwall – surf with all mod cons thanks to the chic and relaxed Hotel and Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay. A place created to be “a ski resort on the beach.” See www.watergatebay.co.uk

Saunton Sands, North Devon – gentle, rolling waves and a seemingly endless expanse of beach. Perfect for beginners and the scene of quality longboarding. Lessons can be booked via www.pointbreaks.com

Lahinch, County Clare, Ireland – the hub of Irish surfing, Lahinch Bay has reef, point and beachbreak set-ups. Around the corner, beneath the Cliffs of Moher, is the big-wave surf spot known as Aileens. John McCarthy runs the Lahinch Surf School – www.lahinchsurfschool.com

Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire – the elegant Victorian town is a gem with a wide, sandy beach and an immense headland jutting out into the North Sea. It boasts the world’s oldest water-powered cliff lift as well as great waves. Lessons can be booked with Saltburn Surf Hire – www.saltburnsurf.co.uk

FOR EXPERTS :

Porthleven, Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall - England’s best reef break. Often crowded with surfers of the highest standard – don’t paddle out here unless you’re in that category.

Crab Island, the Gower Peninsula, Wales – a legendary right-hand reef break that demands respect.

Thurso East, Scotland – no surprise that this immaculate right-hand reef break has hosted the O’Neill Highland Open for the past two years. A world-class wave but very, very cold in the winter.

A very good recommendation to all

mini-mal1975 · #2 (**permalink**) 5th September 2007, 04:54

i ave recently posted a thread asking if it is possible to surf kennack sands ever? maybe you will know.Porthleven is 2 much of a struggle to get to as we dont drive and have two babies. We have only just moved to our house which is five mins away from kennack sands you see.we have never surfed anywhere down the south, only as low down as St.Ives so we know nuffink about surfing round lizard way.We dont care if it is once in a blue moon that it is surfable so long as it possibly is lol. my fiance is convinced that we wont.i will cry if we cant ever ever surf it or until one of us at least passes our driving test.:0( lol, thanks.

ANCIENTWILLIAM · #3 (**permalink**) 6th September 2007, 02:13

Although the south coast of Cornwall does not quite the same exposure to the full power of the Atlantic as the north coast it has some of the best and (suprisingly) most powerful breaks around. Also the conditions required to create good waves on the south coast are different so if the north coast is huge and howling onshore then you might get a decent wave on the south.

KENNACK SANDS :

You'll need to be competent to surf here at another picturesque location with white sandy beaches, a couple of miles east of the Lizard.

The big tidal range creates a super long low-tide beach, which holds waves up to 4-5ft.

The banks have been excellent in 2001. Facing south, it needs a big west or south swell to work. North to north-westerly winds are offshore.

At high tide the beach is cut into two, but the waves tend to get “fat” and back-off (depending on swell direction). Very mellow vibe both in and out of the water.

Hope that helps