South and West Wales

Porthcawl

South and West Wales attracts a large amount of surf during the winter months, and due to the temperatures at that time of year it is rarely crowded. Between May and September the swells decrease and the crowds increase but if you check the forecasts and choose your breaks wisely, you can still find and uncrowded peak along the coastline.

The most consistent place and most crowded break is Rest Bay, which works best on a mid to high tide and with a north east wind. Low tide can be excellent if the conditions are right but this only happens a couple of times a year. See map of Porthcawl area.

At the far end of Rest Bay is Sker which is nearly always uncrowded. You can reach this break by either walking along the line of the golf course (Royal Porthcawl) from Rest Bay, which takes approx 10 minutes, or driving to the car park signposted by road and walking over the fields (approx 20 mins). It works best when the waves peel off the mussel bed exposed at low tide. This is a left hand reef break which barrels all the way into the beach; It works from two foot upwards, less than that and you will take off and land on bare rocks; Not recommended for beginners. Surfers parking at the top car park of Rest Bay - keep your valuables out of site as a few cars have been broken into recently.

East of Porthcawl is Coney Beach, near the fun-fair. Nicknamed "The Wedge" it works on large swells and during the winter and can produce waves of up to 5-6' off the harbour wall. Its often crowded, and tends to close out alot (thats an understatement!). It is more common in the winter as the paddle out at Rest is probably the most difficult in the world!

Towards the left of Coney is a point, and the other side of this group of rocks is Porthcawl Point. It is not uncommon to see people get covered up on large swells off Porthcawl Point, going right towards Sandy Bay caravan park. There are a number of good surf shops in Porthcawl including PM'surf, which is a very friendly and helpful shop.