Welsh Surfers

[emzy]

I am a researcher for a small independent television production company in Cardiff. I am looking into new TV programme ideas and have some questions about surfing in Wales.

I am thinking that a programme about Welsh surfers and their culture may be interesting or a programme about them within a series about things young people are doing in Wales.

Where do you guys surf? Where are the best spots in Wales? What other things do you think are included in surf culture? Is there a big scene in Wales? Do any of you compete abroad?

If you can help or think anything else is relevent then message me back. I must just say that this is only in the initial stage and is only one of several ideas I am working on. However, I did start to learn to surf last year (hell's mouth on the LLyn and in Cornwall) and think that it would be a good topic for a programme.

What do you guys think?

Cheers

Emma

[PapaW]

Hey there,

Not actualy Welsh but I've been living up in Bangor for the last 3 years.

I can tell you now ther is a big North /South wales divide just because of the time it takes to travel up and down the country. As you've said the key areas are Gower, Pembrok, Aberporth area (mainly cause of the university) the Llyen and Angelsey. The later two tending to come as a couple.

You might want to get incontact with 'Spout' from WestCoastSurf in Abersoch. And of course theres me. But also you'll want to investigate the crew at http://www.magicseaweed.com (lots of peeps from wales on the forum there and proberly could well be your best source online)
Also http://abbottbill.proboards37.com/ (Theres a few of us from North Wales and Angelsey specifically.)

I'd be happy to help out with any question for north wales as I'm quite into the scene up here and can get you incontact with most peeps that aren't online. Hop that helps a bit for North Wales atleast.

[emzy]

Thank you for getting intouch with me. I will definatly follow all your links etc. I have been in contact with someone from down in Penarth who is helping there.

What I really want to know is just what you guys get up to, what lifestyles you lead and whether any of you get to compete abroad.

What I need in order to put in a really good pitch to a broadcaster is stories so if you hear of anything let me know, as I can include them as a taster of what the programme/series might include.

Cheers again and enjoy the lovely icy seas of North Wales!!

Emma

[PapaW]

Aye for sure!

Personally and knowing the crew I surf with we all compeate in the UK but its differcult to get abroad money wise. Plus non of use a sponsord :p In fact there is a event this weekend at Hells mouth in aid of the Tsunami relief effort. see - http://surfreliefnorth.magicseaweed.com/
Should be a wicked weekend, even tho the swells not that good.

We got plenty of tales about north Wales, epic surfs, searching missions and of course there is age old "secret spots" debate along with localism esp towards thoese that come to North wales from the middlands.
I think there are groups of friends that go out togehter mostly ad then reconise faces in the water, or arange meets online or meet people out it goes from there. Its all about having fun and doing crazy things on the way.

me and my mates have a habit of going dune boarding into the lagoons as we make our way accorss the dunes at Aberffraw or random river paddling etc. Every groups got its 'little things' that help stoke each pother up for a surf or puh eachother on in the surf.

[emzy]

This is all stuff I want to know. Things like the Tsunami relief is great, I have read about it. I also wanted to include things about surfers trying to conserve the beaches they use, I don't know if you know any that do this?

Also Welsh competitions would be great to feature, showing Welsh surfers at their best. Do people from abroad come to these competitions as well?

Thanks for answering all my questions.

Emma

[PapaW]

There's quite a few off us up here that go out on beach clean though the year but its fighting a loosng battle and not really what we want cleaned. Its was you can't see in the water thats making us all ill. not the bits of plastic etc.

The WestCoast Open held in october @ hells mouth ever year usually pulls peeps from around the UK, not sure on anyone from abroard (apart from a friend of mine whos here at uni from spain!

There is the a yearly comp at the Harbour trap (aberwristwisth) sp!!? but best ask Grizly/Singlefin over on Magic seaweed about that.

The surf relief event was a wicked day dispite the comp having to be called off due to no surf. Evryone had a wicked time at the evening party (pics will be up on the site soon!)

[sinistapenguin]

South Wales, you've got to look at the Gower and Pembs.

Used to Surf Llangennith all the time, but the sewage can be a bit of a problem on certain tides.

Once spent 2 weeks with gastroentiritis after a long session there.

Heading to Freshwater West in a few weeks which will be new for me, but looks good!

Cheers

sinista

[emzy]

Thanks for getting in touch sinista, I have been talking with people from south wales as well and I have heard that it is pretty good. Sewage seems to be a common problem with everyone I talk to.

Cheers,

Emma