North Devon vs South West Wales

[peazz]

Haha mate I was in HK, the water all through june -> november was far to hot, you go outside and its boiling, u go to the sea to 'cool down' and you getting into 28/29* water.

At the same time thou, its the best time to surf in HK, when the water hits 28/29* in HK that means its at least 26*c @ 100metres down far far out at sea... what does this mean? Well it means you get super typhoon developing to the east of taiwan, if your lucky that typhoon will move across to laos through the south red china sea which only means one thing... Sexy rights off the point @ cheung sha, which only work on a south west swell.

http://magicseaweed.com/photoLab/viewPh ... ntext=spot

[BaNZ]

Sorry to bring up an old topic. But guess what, I'm going surfing this bank holiday weekend and bringing my family. I need to choose betwen North Devon and SW Wales. Went to Woolacombe/croyde last time so I figure maybe try something different. Is SW Wales as nice as North Devon? I mean the area and not the surf. As I'm so out of shape, I don't exect to catch anything so it will be more of a family trip rather than pure surfing trip.

[BaNZ]

So I spent all morning looking at the accomodation. Porthcawl will have smaller waves and wind. Which would be ideal for me. Whereas Croyde/Woolacombe will have bigger swells and stronger winds. The three locations that I looked at are.

1. Woolacombe Cheapest
2. Croyde (caravan park next to the beach)
3. Westward Ho (I like the apartment here but it seems to be quite a journey to the other beaches)
4. Porthcawl (close to beach)

Should I try Porthcawl out? Due to my lack of exercise and fitness level. I think it might be a better option? Anyone been to that area and wonder if it is picturesque like North Devon?

[peazz]

Honestly mate I think Croyde in general would be perfect, next week is lookin sexy all week with low winds and off shores!

Remember you have putsborough slow lumpy point a 5 min walk away which is perfect for someone out of shape, at least croyde a there if you want a go!, puts has a hotel right on the beach also

If you do go croyde watch out for the rip at the North end along the rocks at low tide, u paddle out halfway in the bay and after one wave u are nearly on top of the rocks.

earlier in this post they said South Wales needs direct west swell, I think in spring your gunna be better off in Devon / Cornwall esp if you only on a short break.

[BaNZ]

I've been to Croyde and that day it was overhead and scary. I went to the line up and I see people with longboards wiping out badly like me. Then the second time I went there, I struggled to even get to the line up.

Porthcawl has western swells, with 2-4 feet forcast and 10 seconds interval. With Croyde it is slightly bigger and shorter intervals.

I've not been to Puts. Hmm.. tempted.

Looked around google and Porthcawl isn't as beautiful as N Devon.

[peazz]

Puts is a nice little wave mate, I was in the pub (every day actually lol) and ended up speaking with the bar lady who said she only surfs puts because shes 'old' she can 'stumble' to her feet and still get an awesome ride.

I must say everytime Ive been down the point is pumping and lines just pouring into the bay.

If you end up down that way and have a car (or even get a taxi) head up into Georgeham and go to the Kings Arms, grab yourself the El Diablo burger, I swear you wont regret it.

Best pub food Ive every had in the UK.

[BaNZ]

Had a look at that pub and yes I drove past it. I remember to small roads. haha I will definitely give it a go if I drive pass it. I do like the name of the burger.

That's what I'm worried that it will be pumping. I rather just have small clean waves on my longboard. Just want to have some nice easy waves to be able to get out to the line up without much effort. Weather forecast isn't great really.

Do you know any free parking places at Croyde/ Puts? If so please PM me. Parking charges there are insane. I don't want to be paying £6-8 for 2 hours.

[drowningbitbybit]

putsborough slow lumpy point a 5 min walk away which is perfect for someone out of shape

Don't write off Puts as for beginners... I've seen it firing with double overhead barrels on a 17 second period when Croyde couldn't handle the size. On many days, it's way better than Croyde and anything but lumpy - and if you like lefts, its the spot to be.

[drowningbitbybit]

SW wales isn't a patch on Devon in my opinion. I love Wales, and it's got some cracking surf spots, but for a family holiday, the SW corner is a bit grim. Beautiful once you're a bit further north, but not much in the way of surf up that way!

Do you know any free parking places at Croyde/ Puts? If so please PM me. Parking charges there are insane. I don't want to be paying £6-8 for 2 hours.

Dream on. Pretty much all the roads are controlled parking due to the crowds, so you're limited to the insanely expensive car parks
It's possible to park way back at Braunton for free and walk to Saunton Sands, but not much fun if you're carrying a longboard and a family.

[BaNZ]

The pros of going to Wales is that it will only take me around 4 hours to get there from Cambridge. Plus with 2-3 feet swells at 10 seconds interval it will be perfect. Problem is as you said that it looks very grim and industrial. I think I've set the bar too high by taking them to N Devon last time. It's beautiful and they really like it there.

However the way I see it is that the weather is going to be rubbish, cloudy, cold and wet. I'm guessing they will be staying at the caravan and probably won't want to go out. The way I see it, it doesn't matter if I go to SW Wales or N Devon if they are staying indoors while I go surf.

Bonus of staying in Croyde is that the beach will be walking distance and I can park for free. Puts is a bit far, 1.5 miles on a longboard isn't that much fun. Ideally I want to surf at Puts or Saunton Sands with a LB. However there are no affordable accomodations at either spot.

Croyde really freightend me last time so I would prefer not to surf there. Last time I was there I kept getting wiped out by those monster waves that came out of nowhere. Also the rips were ridiculously strong when it is overhead.

Ideally I need a point break so I can paddle out easily. Beach breaks drains too much energy when you're so unfit.

dbb, you seem to know every location! When was the last time you surfed there?

[drowningbitbybit]

dbb, you seem to know every location! When was the last time you surfed there?

I used to surf in Croyde and the surrounding areas loads
Every weekend, more or less, I'd jump into my camper on a friday night, tootle very slowly down to Devon, and then tootle very slowly back again on Sunday night. In fact, there used to be a big crowd from the forum down there quite a lot (some of which are still around, like Kitey for instance).

The last time I was there was, I think, 5 years ago for new years eve in the Croyde pubs - we got absolutely twatted, and there was no way I was surfing on a bitterly cold Jan 1st morning!

When did I last surf there...? About 7 years ago.
Actually, you can see my very last surf session at Saunton Sands on Kitey's twatcam...
http://www.kiteforum.tv/video/dbbb_s_la ... ssion.html

You don't get to see much of me (a rather ridiculous moment at 6:30 when I go left and Phil goes right...) but that was my last session in the UK. These days I like my waves rather larger, rather steeper and - above all - a great deal warmer!

[drowningbitbybit]

Croyde really freightend me last time so I would prefer not to surf there. Last time I was there I kept getting wiped out by those monster waves that came out of nowhere.

Incidentally, the name "drowningbitbybit" came from a session just like that at Croyde!

[bridle17]

The best beaches are further west than Porthcawl. Try Llangennith or Manorbier. If you really want big waves almost all to yourself, try Frainslake in Pembrokeshire, but you'll have to have an MoD briefing first. Try this website for details and pics : beachguide.wales

[Silvery]

So where did you end up going wondering what became of peazz

[BaNZ]

Lots of people come and go. Haven't heard from him for years. We were going to catch a wave together on the North sea but work got in the way

[skasteppa]

Glad I found this thread as I've just relocated to Wiltshire so no more 6 hour drive to North Devon anymore!
I cant wait to hit Croyde and Saunton again after years away from surfing,so bought a Roger Cooper Mal last night and itching to get out.
I've had loads of great times at Puts in the past, super mellow waves when I went that were great for learning.
Im just back from teaching my Gf how to surf white water at Croyde and forgot how rippy it was and how tiny the allocated surf area was..so a big long stretch where I cant get in anyone's way or run over surf school newbies is exciting!
Even though Wales is nearer to me I cant remember surfing south Wales so will probably keep the familiar option till I'm confident to explore again.
Stoked to be getting out this autumn and winter!

[jaffa1949]

GF surfing, get that down and all will be well