Sennen Cove or Croyde?

[BaNZ]

This weekend forecast.
http://magicseaweed.com/Sennen-Surf-Report/4/
http://magicseaweed.com/Croyde-Beach-Surf-Report/7/

Sennen wind is stronger but longer intervals whereas Croyde is not as windy. But everywhere I look it says Croyde beach is too crowded. I'm taking my family with me so probably Fistral beach would be ideal for them as there is more to see in Newquay but probably not for me.

I'm more keen on going to Croyde as the waves do look better and also less traveling time but I'm worried about the crowded beach. As I'll be using my fish for the first time I don't want to surf in crowded areas.

[drowningbitbybit]

Both will be working

Sennen is hardly a deserted paradise, and pretty much everywhere will have crowds in that bit of the world at this time of year. If it comes up on MSW, it's a popular spot, it'll be crowded...

...but croyde has several different options, and you might find some space at Saunton away from the point, and that's suitable for a fish.

If you're taking the family down to newquay area, then fistral acts like a magnet to all the surf tourists... which has the plus-point of other beaches can be surprisingly quiet. I've surfed Watergate bay on a small day on my own before, so you might get lucky if you move away from the more obvious spots.

In your shoes, I'd head to Croyde and then spend a little bit of the time I'd saved in driving down there to explore a few of the beaches and find one that's not as crowded as Croyde itself.

[BaNZ]

I'm glad that you say it is not deserted, couldn't find much information about it. I think google came up with around 200 local population at Sennen. I didn't want to take my family out and dump them into a B&B in the middle of nowhere while I surf.

I'm actually hoping that it will have barrels so I can attempt my first barrel which will probably end badly. I've done extensive research on both places and most say Croyde is dangerous with rip and it is has shallow reef in some parts. Lots of people have injured themselves there. On the other hand Sennen has basking sharks, seal and dolphins! I'm not a wildlife type of person, if I see any of those I think I will seriously wet myself and probably even a heartattack.

Newquay, I'm not too fond of. Been there a few years ago and it was just full of drunk people. I'm going to be mounting my LB on my car roof so I don't really want to leave it out at night.

I think you're right, best would be Croyde. Seems to have more choices of surf spot. Save Sennen for a longer trip in Autumn when the swell comes in. Only going to be there for 4 days. It's probably another extra 1-2 hours drive to Sennen?

[drowningbitbybit]

around 200 local population at Sennen...

Oh Sennen will be packed full of holidaymakers at this time of year.

I'm actually hoping that it will have barrels so I can attempt my first barrel

Summertime in cornwall/devon is not the time or the place for barrels
A couple of foot of summertime swell won't be producing any barrels... a tiny little lip to crouch under if you're lucky, but no barrels. Beachie barrels are pretty difficult things to get into - you need to be able to surf very very fast... followed by very very slow... followed by very very fast again.

Croyde is dangerous...

Not especially. It's a heavier wave than many in those parts, but not particularly dangerous. It can be steep (very steep when its barrelling) and it'll land on your head when you get it wrong, but I don't think its any more dangerous than any shortboarding spot.
Although, now I think about it, the name "drowningbitbybit" did come about after a particularly bad day at Croyde

extra 1-2 hours drive to Sennen?

At least a couple of hours - much more if you get stuck in one the legendary cornwall traffic jams!

[drowningbitbybit]

Having just looked at the updated forecast, I'd say to try Putsborough around the corner from Croyde - the surf will be better protected from the wind, and I always preferred Puts to Croyde anyway.

[BaNZ]

Forecast is between 4-7 feet! I was hoping that it might have a chance if it is that size?

Google map says it will take around 5 hours. I'm planning to leave work early at around 2-3pm on Friday. From Cambridge and hope to get past London by 5pm. Then another 3 hours drive to Croyde! Let's just hope it isn't like my last bank holiday weekend in August which took me 10+ hours to get there.

I will definitely visit a few beach Puts, Sauton and Croyde. Maybe surf Croyde on Monday when it is less crowded.

Probably going to stay at a cabin in a campsite near Woolacombe unless you have better recommendation?

[Dead_One]

i always seem to end up at Mawgan Porth, just outside Newquay, a lot of beaches nearby, and plenty for the family to do, plus a decent campsite walking distance to the beach. Pm me for details if you like the sound of it.. i'm dragging the family down this weekend for a couple of weeks.

[drowningbitbybit]

Forecast is between 4-7 feet! I was hoping that it might have a chance if it is that size?

Yeah, the forecast has picked up since I first looked at it, but unfortunately the wind has turned onshore too and its predominantly windswell
Onshore = no barrels
If it was barrelling at 7ft at low-tide Croyde, then that's a serious wave and you'd need to be pretty good to get anywhere near it, let alone deep in the green room.

Croyde itself is likely to be messy. Puts or Saunton will be more protected if there's a bit of south or north in the wind, respectively.

Incidentally - woolacombe itself is a nice wave (the other end of the same bay as Puts) and a bit less crowded and more forgiving than Croyde.

[BaNZ]

I would be happy if it is like

This video is taken in Saunton.

haha the chances of it seems to be pretty low. I really hate messy waves, it's so hard to pick the right waves plus drains my stamina really quickly.

Let's just hope that the wind will die down a little and the swell will pickup.