SURFWITHUS: A TRIBUTE AND DIARY TO A MERRY BAND OF IDIOTIC SURFERS IN SOUTH WALES
If you already live in South Wales and surf, this section is going to be bugger all use to you. If however your planning a trip down to South Wales then this is a summary of the best surfing beaches. These are generally considered to be the some of the best. There are countless breaks in South Wales however and its up to you to discover them all. Hopefully this guide will give the inspiration and confidence to come to our beautiful coastline and join us out back.
Tenby
Divided into two beaches, North and South. The South beach is generally better but both need a big shwell to offer any decent waves. I’ve heard good things about the South beach when it works, it can be quick and hollow as both left and right handers. Its best just after high tide. Westerly to Northerly winds are offshore. Good luck chasing this wave as it doesn’t work very often. I got caught in a rip here once, it was minimum fun.
Manorbier
A good right hander that picks up and peels over the rocks and finishes over the sandy beach. Works best just after high tide but will work all the time if the conditions are good. NE to SE winds work best. Best left to experienced surfers because of the rocks, but beginners can have a dabble in the sandy area. Every time I’ve been there has been weird seaweed everywhere. This break isn’t to far from Tenby and is the most consistent break in the area.
FreshwaterEast
This can be a heavy spot, but like Tenby needs a big shwell to set it off. When its working it can offer a quick and hollow beach break. Good for beginners too. This beach is generally visited when SW winds are blowing out other breaks. NW to W winds are offshore. Have a dabble when everywhere else is shit. I aquired this snap from the freshwater east website. Trivia: House prices here are higher than in Splott in Cardiff and most of Milford Haven, including Hakin.
FreshwaterWest
Not much of an intro needed here, classic spot. This is the most consistent spot in Pembrokeshire, if its shit here, its shit everywhere (generally). There are left and right handers here most of the time, the South end of the beach offers good peaks at low tide, can be dangerous at high tide due to the rocks but still holds a good wave. The sandy end of the beach is good for a beginner but can still hold a pretty feisty wave. There’s a pisser there, but the nearest pub is Castlemartin, near the blown up tanks.
Newgale
A good fun surfing beach ideal for beginners, gear is available for hire making it quite a popular spot in the summer. Newgale has been known to offer up a few hefty 5ft waves. A good spot for longbaorders so long as you can negotiate you round them pesky windsurfers, kayakers and kite surfers. This beach can be prone to the odd rip, but only across the beach. The surf is shit at very high tide because of the backwash off the pebbles. E to NE are offshore. Nice spot for the summer this one, Surf - Duke of Edinburgh - Tent.
Whitesands
Nice beach, just the other side of St.Davids. Can be pretty good, but is generally talked about more that it should be, I’ve yet t see a wave here better than Fresh or Manorbier. Best after high tide but a few hours before low there can be a nice right hander. Best in NE to SE winds. It can be a good laugh here in the summer, very popular for old people with dogs and people with kites. Beware of the car park attendant; you’ll never pass without dishing out some reddies.