best time of year to surf in uk

[Curly24]

When is the best time of year to surf in the uk ?
I dont want to frezee my ass off, but want to go surfing to improve as new to the sport.

[drowningbitbybit]

You just missed it

September/October is often the best time of year in the UK. The water is still warm (well, warm ish), the holidaymakers have gone home, and the autumn swells are starting to show

Winter will often give you good surfing conditions, but the water temp is only on the way down now, and won't really recover to a comfortable level until about May next year.

Time to rubber up

[CARBr6]

That is true dbbb, however there is some big swell forecast for this coming weekend on the south coast, which is rare.
So, Curly, my advice is invest in a decent winter wetsuit (boots and gloves too if you really feel the cold) and get yourself out there. It is unfortunate but if you want to surf in the UK then you have to suffer the cold. Unless you are blessed enough to live by the coast in the South West where you still get decent swell in the summer months.

[greg2935]

I was pleasantly surprised to find you can surf in the UK for most of the year without getting really cold (except while changing of course); just buy decent kit! I've found buying a very good winter wetsuit can be used year round, and supplementing it with a good winter rash vest with integral hood makes all the difference. Also buy thicker boots than you think you'll need as its your feet that are in the water all the time, add some gloves and you can be rubber man like the rest of us The southcoast swell was pooh by the way!

Greg

[greg2935]

it looks nice today so think I'm off surfing. By the way, I bought all my kit off ebay starting in early summer so "spread the cost", in total it came to about £300-£350.

[CARBr6]

Where are you headed Greg? The missus and I are looking at Cornwall for New Year's for a spot of Jan 1st Surfing

[greg2935]

I went to bantham, the sea had not completely clawed the sandbanks to bits although I was amazed to see Bovisands has no sand on it anymore, just bedrock. A friend went to Bude a few days ago and said it was just a closed out 3m+ white water, spent 30mins watching some poor sod desperately trying to get out back. I think sometimes you have to know your limits! I am hoping it will be nice this Saturday on the south coast: could do with a few "nice" mellow waves rather than the raging mess we have had for 3 weeks.

[CARBr6]

It's not looking good. We checked the reports before the new year and saw how bad it was gonna be, so we didn't bother going. Hoping to get out soon though.