South Africa

[Rake Jeeves]

Howzit to all British surfers.

I am thinking of immigrating to Britain from South Africa early next year.
The only thing that is holding me back is the worry about the quality of surf there as a lot of people tell me there is virtually no surf in summer and it's far too cold to surf in winter. I am hoping you lot can prove them wrong.

Another question. Is it easy to go to France for the weekend if you are really hanging for a surf?

[surferdude_scarborough]

The best areas to surf in Britain to surf in england are Devon and Cornwall and the north east coast eg from north yorkshire northwards but its possile to surf on almost any part of good ole blighty's varied coastline

Devon and Cornwall are the most popular areas for fairly good reason The centre of British surf is Newquay on Cornwall's north coast with some good quality breaks Fistral being the best of these. Some say the best in england. Swells tend to come from atlantic lows so it can be rather flat in summer. Can be consistant in autumn and winter. The south coast of cornwall is also surfed with england's premier reef being here but classic conditions are less common. There is a price to pay for this surfing perfection and its crowds at the average cornish break in summer there can be literally hundreds of people in th water

The north east coast is increasing in popularity with surf shops in most of the major towns , Scarborough, Whitby, Saltburn ect. and surfing is centred around these towns each with their own break. North Bay at Scarborough is possibly my favourite break. There are also many other beach and reef breaks of varying quality on the coasts. Water quality used to be an issue on this coast but it has improved a lot over recent years with a few beaches getting european blue falg awards for clean water. hese include north bay and tynemouth further north near newcastle. Crowds are less of an issue here for some reason. The surf however is of equal quality and theres often offshore winds! The cleanest and most consistant swells come from the north but southerly swells can ber ridden. Swells are more consistant and bigger in winter but summer can have its good times as well. i recall an overhead session in june. much of this coast is unexplored so there is potential to find an empty break.

There is also a good surf community at the beaches in the channel although swells here are inconsistant and often windswell.

In terms of temparature devon and cornwall are warmer than the north east but the diference is not too huge. It just gets colder the further north you go. In summer you will be fine in a 3/2mm wetsuit but winter will require a decent winter suit at least 5/3mm and maybe boots gloves and hood but its by no means too cold to surf in winter

Hope that lot has been useful, flippin heck i sound like a guidebook!

come live in Leeds if your coming, good nightlife (apparently) and about an hour away from some good breaks and friendly yorkshire folk!

James