When you are in the United Kingdom, you don’t have to take a plane to Bali or Biarritz in search of great waves for surfing. The coastlines in Wales have plenty of great waves, with surf schools and surf hires in proximity, making it a top destination for surfers of different skill levels in the UK. Whether you are just starting out, or you are a pro at the sport, Wales has plenty of spots you can use to start your baby steps as well as hone your skills on the boards. Learn more about some of the best surf spots in Wales.
1. Caswell Bay
Caswell Bay is a picturesque beach near Mumbles and it is an incredibly popular spot for those learning how to surf. It has a big surf to offer sufficient challenges to the newbies, and small enough to stop them from getting wiped out mid-wave. Its suitability to newbies is also from the fact that it is where GSD Surf School operates from, hence, guaranteeing easy access to lessons and surf hires.
2. Oxwich Bay
Oxwich Bay is where all beginners in Gower go to when they want to learn how to surf, though the waves welcome everyone, including the veterans. On good days when the tides are high, the beach becomes crowded, and it can sometimes be frustrating to catch a break. The waves may sometimes be flat, but when they start to swell, it is usually a slow and gentle progression which makes it ideal for beginners to start taking their baby steps.
3. Freshwater West
Freshwater West enjoys the reputation of having the steadiest surf brakes in Wales. This can be attributed to the fact that it is not short of sandy beaches, point breaks, deep reefs, and a plethora of wildlife. As such, it is a suitable spot for noobs as well as the pros. Also worth pointing out is that it is the operational base for Outer Reef Surf School, hence, adding more incentives for beginners to come and get their lessons from here. However, if you are completely new to surfing in Wales, you must be very careful before heading out in Freshwater West because it is known to have overpowering waves which may be detrimental to your surfing safety.
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4. Whitesands
Under the right conditions, the waves at Whitesands can rise to enviable heights, and since Ramsey Island offers it a great shelter from the headland, it is one of the best places to surf in Wales. Depending on the conditions, surfers of all skill levels can have a good time here. However, the waves can hit intimidating heights that may scare off beginners. As such, if you don’t consider yourself skilled in the waters, it is highly recommended that you don’t venture past your depth and at any given time, you should always ensure that your feet can reach the sand.
5. Newgale Beach
Newgale Beach is tucked peacefully in St. Bride’s Bay. It is not only a beautiful beach but also its presence inside a national park makes it one of the well-maintained beaches in Wales and a favorite surfing spot for both beginners and pros. In addition to having the right conditions, there is a surf school and shop where you get lessons or hire surfing gear.
6. Poppit Sands
Poppit Sands is a beautiful beach in Cardigan well-known for its consistent small waves that attract beginner surfers from far and wide who love taking advantage of the short rides to improve their skills. With the lots of gentle small waves, it is one of the best surf spots to consider if you have never ever tried to surf. Besides, it is clean, and the locals are very friendly, and you will also find lots of great facilities to put you on the right path if you will be surfing for the very first time. As a pro tip, while trying to surf on this beach, you should always ensure that you stick to the west side where we don’t have the river estuary since the currents here will be very forgiving for your skill levels.
7. Coney Beach
Coney Beach is a sheltered beach and a favorite spot for surf enthusiasts in Cardiff and Eastern Wales. Since it is sheltered, the surf can sometimes be nice and very clean, though if you want to have a good time during the high tides, you have no option but to venture out. These conditions make Coney Beach ideal for beginners because they will not have to engage in constant duel with the sea, always battling volumes of white water and froth.
8. Rhosneigr
Rhosneigr sunset Canon Eos 5DIV iso 400 s/s 1/30 second Sigma Imaging UK 24mm 1.4 art lens f16 #northwalestagram...
Posted by Milton Photography in North Wales UK on Tuesday, 15 May 2018
Rhosneigr is in Anglesey, and to begin with, it is not a favorite spot to consider if you are just starting out or you don’t trust your skills as a surfer. Sadly, it is not among the safest beaches in the world, and you should only venture into it when you are skilled enough. Since it is a quieter beach with good waves and fewer crowds, it is a worthy choice if you want to graduate from the more touristy beaches. Just be careful with the rip rides, because they may sometimes become annoying when surfing here.
9. Aberdaron
Aberdaron is in Lleyn Peninsula, north of Wales. The beach is relatively small, and in the absence of the bigger waves, it attracts mostly beginners. The small gentle waves make the conditions right for the newbies, and even when they swell, they don’t do so to intimidating levels that may make beginners fear for their lives. For the pros, however, Hell’s Mouth is just a few minutes away from Aberdaron and there you will find waves befitting higher skills.
10. Llangennith
It is nearly impossible to talk about surfing in Wales and then you fail to mention Llangennith. The beach is suitable for surfers of all skill levels due to its consistently varying conditions that suit all skill levels at different times. In addition to the enviable conditions of Llangennith, it also has a number of surf schools and surf shops around, further increasing its appeal to both veterans and beginners.
Surf in the best spots in Wales
Whether you are a beginner or a pro surfer, Wales has just the right spots for you to enjoy a great adventure on the board. So long as you are certain about your skill and confidence level, you will always find a beach with the right conditions that match your expertise.
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