About Wales Surf Travel
Were it not for Ireland’s verdant landmass, Wales would be the UK’s premiere surfing destination. However the Emerald Isle, lying some 140 miles to the west, does a pretty good job in blocking out the full force of swell-bringing Atlantic low-pressure systems. However, luckily for us, many swells still manage to wrap around the southern tip of Ireland, channelling energy onto the many classic breaks of south Wales. While not as consistent as Cornwall, Wales makes up for this with a more varied topography creating some excellent reefs and points, as well as scattered beaches that can translate fierce winter storm into rideable surf. The southern coasts of Pembrokeshire and The Gower Peninsular are the most consistent regions, home to some world-class set ups. Here the undulating nature of the coastline allows waves to be ridden in any number of wind and swell combinations. To the north, the Lyn Peninsula faces directly down the Irish Sea and into the teeth of large southwesterly swells born off Biscay and the mid Atlantic. These breaks, such as Hells Mouth, lie in the heartland of Welsh speaking community.
Wales shares the Celtic landscape of Scotland, Ireland and Cornwall – the heath and moorland, wind cropped trees and green valleys. It also shares a similar spirit – the local surfers are almost as renowned for their drinking and partying as their wave riding skills. Wales has a long and proud surfing tradition, one that is often overlooked by the international surfing media and wider surf community. Welsh surfers such as Pete Jones were early European champions and pro surfers such as Carwyn Williams helped pave the way for other Euros onto the world tour.
Wales Surf Crowds:
South Wales supports two large cities, Swansea and the capital Cardiff, and is home to a burgeoning surfing industry including manufacturers, shapers and brands. As a result, the breaks around the south coast have a healthy and knowledgeable surf community. While most of the main spots suffer from crowding – Freshwater West in Pembrokeshire and Llangennith in the Gower draw in wave riders from as far away as England – there are still reefs and secluded bays to escape to.
Wales Surf Hazards:
As with the rest of the UK, Wales is supposedly free of large, predatory sharks. Bigger hazards come from surfing remote breaks alone, shallow reefs and fellow surfer’s boards at crowded breaks.
Best Surf Seasons in Wales:
1) Fall
Tracking lows push northwesterly swells down from the Atlantic, circumnavigating Ireland and peaking in Wales at around 60-80% of the wave size that hits Cornwall. As crowds drop off, this is prime surf season. Water temperatures drop over the months from around 59ºF to about 50ºF. Time to break out the 4/3’s.
2) Winter
With huge westerly storms rolling in from the mid Atlantic or clean southwesterly swells accompanied by northerly winds, winter can provide plenty of surf for those hardy enough to want it. Crowds have seriously thinned and epic sessions can abound. Air temperatures hover around the low 40ºF’s while the water temperature remains slightly warmer in the mid to high 40ºF’s. 5/4/3’s boots and gloves.
3) Summer
While air temperatures and weather is at its best during the summer, the prevalent swell patterns mean that decent surf can often be absent. (Although tourists ensure that the line-ups are busy). 3/2’s are fine as water temperatures usually peak around 60ºF with air temperatures hovering around 64ºF.
4) Spring
Low-pressure systems continue to spiral in from the west, generating variable to good surf for the season. The air warms over the months from the mid 40ºF’s to the mid-high 50ºF’s as does the sea meaning that 4/3’s with optional booties are OK.
Directions to Best Surf in Wales:
One of the London airports will be the entry point for most visitors. From here, follow the M4 motorway west via Bristol and on to Cardiff, Swansea and the coast.
Best Surf Reading for Wales:
Surfing Britain (Footprint)
Surfing Europe (Footprint)
Stormrider Europe (Stormrider)