Surfing Waves

This sea temp map says that North Devon and South Wales are 8 deg C:

https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/sea-temperature

Whereas http://www.surf-forecast.com has all the individual spots in that area at about 5-6C, some even down into the 4s!!

My question is: which is correct? This matters to me cause 8-9C is just about ok for me, but 4 or 5 is out of the question, and I live too far away to try it and see.

I realise that when the sun's out, the temp in shallow water can be higher than out at sea, but is there an opposite effect on cold days that I'm not aware of where ocean currents keep the open sea warmer than shallow water near a beach?

Thanks.

I suggest you google Tony Butt. He has been interviewed by SW and hold degrees in Ocean sciences, he is the go to man for questions like that.
I can offer a slight understanding but the full details it is most likely your answers lie with Tony.

Broadly , England has some effects from th Gulf Stream, winds play a part too pushing surface water can cause upwelling from deeper water as the surface is pushed away, the particulars of UK surf I don’t know, Lagoon and lake system water enter the sea mixed with tidal changes also effect temperatures, especially if it is snow melt after the beast from the east.

A good system is to review what happens on your favourite beach, experiencing the variables is the best teacher.
Forecasts often miss the little quirks of the coast that give you special days without the Icrowd!

Honestly, when you're wearing a 5mm wetsuit. The water temp does not make much difference. Your face do get very numb and painful by 4-5 degrees though. I usually would only go if the wave is glassy. No wind, long intervals and has to be very clean.

I look at this site. Almost 9 degrees, warm and cosy . I think with the Gulf Stream this is more realistic than 4-5deg

https://www.seatemperature.org/europe/u ... ewquay.htm

I usually would only go if the wave is glassy. No wind, long intervals and has to be very clean.

So typical UK conditions

Windchill (no matter on- or offshore) can be worse than the actual temperature. Had that last November. Went out at 10 degrees with side offshore from the Northeast (Scandinavia/Russia). That was soo cold.

There is a reason why we go to Spain over Easter

I was in last Easter in a spring suite down the south west, hoping to be in a couple weeks time and that it turns mild and sunny like last year.

Spain sounds good Lars, where you heading, are you doing Biscarrosse again in the summer ?

Silvery wrote:Spain sounds good Lars, where you heading, are you doing Biscarrosse again in the summer ?

We go to Conil, south of Cadiz. Yes indeed, Biscarosse for summer again. We wanted to try another spot, but so many places don't allow dogs on the beach that we use the advantage of a spot we know.

And we dont want to leave this beach boy home...



I don't know why this shows upside down, it is correct when I upload it

BaNZ wrote:Honestly, when I'm wearing a 5mm wetsuit. The water temp does not make much difference. My face do get very numb and painful by 4-5 degrees though. I usually would only go if the wave is glassy. No wind, long intervals and has to be very clean.

I've fixed that for you Everyone's different. I wear a 5mm in summer and a good quality custom 6/5 in colder months, avoiding Jan-March when it's less than 9 or 10. About this time of year I start to get itchy feet waiting for the temp to get high enough for me, thus the question

Oldie wrote:I look at this site. Almost 9 degrees, warm and cosy . I think with the Gulf Stream this is more realistic than 4-5deg

https://www.seatemperature.org/europe/u ... ewquay.htm

I usually would only go if the wave is glassy. No wind, long intervals and has to be very clean.

So typical UK conditions

Windchill (no matter on- or offshore) can be worse than the actual temperature. Had that last November. Went out at 10 degrees with side offshore from the Northeast (Scandinavia/Russia). That was soo cold.

There is a reason why we go to Spain over Easter

Thanks. I wonder where the 4/5 degree reports are coming from though? I was wondering if the Gulf Stream warms sea temperatures further out, but close to the shore where we'd be surfing it stays colder, out of the reach of those currents and more influenced by cold air and land? I've no idea myself, thus the question.

It’s the ‘feels like’ -10 for getting changed in the carpark that’s been putting me off the last few weeks...

It's worth investing in a toweling robe or a dry robe if you've got the bucks to help with the car park hop about after.
Surfing in the north east if you worry about water having to be above 9 degrees you will never get in

Defo agree that wave quality and weather more than make up for the sea temperature. If its 10 degrees, sunny 4 foot and offshore you virtually don't notice the cold anyway.

Eddy9 wrote:It’s the ‘feels like’ -10 for getting changed in the carpark that’s been putting me off the last few weeks...

I change in the car when it's cold. It's harder, but you get used to it - roll the passenger seat the whole way back and get some good fitting waterproof car seat covers.

Here's my beach boy at Brem s mer. Still cold in the UK