Oct

Learning to surf? Make the most of UK’s Autumn waves

learning to surf, Surf, surf school, Surfing, surfing holidays in Britain, surfing in the UK, surfing in UK, water sports

Learnt to surf this summer and eager to do more? Good news: autumn is the best time in the UK for hitting the waves and it provides ideal conditions for progressing further.

Learning to surf in the UK in Autumn waves

Autumn waves bring space to practice Image:Flickr/ Peter Morgan

Autumn’s Atlantic swells bring in bigger, cleaner and more consistent waves and, after the long, hot (ahem) summer, our British waters have warmed to a comfortable average of around 14 degrees. Compared to summer’s 1 to 4-foot wave-lets, October can see anything from 4 to 12 feet; perfect for taking your surfing skills to the next level.

To make the most of autumn surfing in the UK, it’s worth taking a few things into consideration first…

Wetsuit

With cloudier skies and less direct sunlight heating up your neoprene, a 2mm summer wetsuit will likely reduce your time spent in the water. Get yourself kitted out with a decent 4/3mm wetsuit, or thicker if you feel the cold and want to carry on into winter. Look for sealed seams, a snug fit and go for a zipper-less option for added warmth.

Boots, hoods and gloves

From early to mid-autumn, you’ll see a fairly low proportion of surfers adorning their extremities with accessories but, once November hits, boots and gloves start to become commonplace. Split-toe booties are the way to go, offering more manoeuvrability and control than full-on boots. Gloves should be tight-fitting (they’ll bulge and stretch a bit in the water) and hoods are really a matter of preference – many surfers reserve head-gear for the winter months.

Wind-chill

Despite the bright sunshine and seemingly warm sea, the autumn and winter winds can lower your body temperature significantly and leave you with numb ears and a runny nose. Beware of northerly winds blowing down from the Arctic and take a beanie to warm your ears up, post-surf.

Warming-up again

Particularly if you’re on the water at late afternoon, autumn temperatures can drop significantly in a short space of time, and if you stay out so long that your hands are too numb to turn the keys in your car-door, you’ll be in trouble. Head back to shore before you get too cold and have a flask of hot drink and some warm clothes at the ready – Ugg boots and beanies are popular with surfers for a reason!

Where to go

If you’ve got a board and a car, there are loads of beginner and intermediate breaks around the UK, but it’s wise to pick somewhere that’s popular with other surfers and has a surf-shop nearby, so that help is at hand if things don’t go as planned. If you need to hire a board or fancy a few extra lessons, stick to somewhere with a surf-school that operates in autumn.

And a few good spots to get you started:

Watergate Bay, Cornwall: The wide beach is perfect for beginners and the surf school offers year-round lessons and board hire – plus, the on-site accommodation, award-winning restaurant and beach-front café are ideal for warming up afterwards.

Croyde, Devon: A great intermediate spot, Croyde has one of the most consistent waves in the UK but can be very powerful in a big swell – you’ve been warned! Surf schools operate here until early November. Beach-shops, cafes and accommodation are all on hand.

Bournemouth: Overcrowding makes this wave a tricky one for beginners in the summer months, but come autumn, the crowds have dispersed, making this artificial reef-break a good option. Local surf schools offer heated changing rooms to keep you warm all winter.