I've officially hit the intermediate problem!

I've long since grown out of the well known beginner locations (like Saunton) but it feels impossible to find anywhere that is:
a) Surfable with a hardboard
and
b) Not clogged with surf schools, tourists or unsupervised beginners

But (because I live in Birmingham, literally the most landlocked city in the UK) I'm not really a 'local' anywhere so am always (probably rightly so) a victim of gatekeeping.
I've tried to go to those wave gardens, but it just felt like a glorified swimming pool where beginners and tourists go with literally no sense of etiquette, and I came back with bad pool-cold.

Anyone willing to share somewhere quiet and reliable?

Hey ya’ll, I’m from the US and I’ll be visiting England in a few weeks. I surf on the east coast in a place with almost no surfers so I’m not used to surfing in heavy crowds. I’ll be in St Ives for at least one day and was hoping to surf Porthmeor. I was just wondering if there’s anywhere in there to avoid. I’d hate to impede on locals or end up in a dangerous spot.

Hi all, anyone would have recommendations for wide ankles 5mm boots (not just wide toes box) that I could purchase in the UK? Thanks!

Hello everyone!

Going to visit North Wales for the first time and would love to know if there any beginner friendly surf spots in the area 🙏

We may stay near Snowdonia so it’s relatively easy to drive to the coast and different parts of North wales.

TIA!!

Any suggestions for a van that I could store very long boards and SUPs in without having to mount them on top? This is because storage at my house is very limited.

Hi guys!

I‘m looking for nice surf spots that aren‘t as crowded as Arugam Bay in the East Coast. Do you have any recommendations?

I‘m thinking about spending a Lot of my time in Okanda, does anyone have experience Surfing there?

Thanks:)

Hi everyone!

I’m from Italy and I'm planning a trip to Wales this coming August, and I was wondering if I could get some local insight.

Is August generally a good time for surfing in Wales? Also, what are the chances of catching consistent swells during that time of the year, or is it usually pretty flat?

I’d love to hear your recommendations on the best spots for a summer session, and any tips on the local surf scene would be amazing.

Thanks a million in advance! 🏄‍♂️✨

Hi!

I'm going to Trewithian near Truro for a week soon and was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on where to surf.

I'm still a beginner, but I'm looking for the best waves I can handle rather than just tiny beginner waves. I use the Windy app, but to be honest I don't really know what I'm looking at yet 😅. I can see the swell, wind, tides etc., but I don't know how to use that to work out which beach will be best on a given day.

Any recommendations for spots around the area? And if anyone has any tips on what to look for in Windy (or any other apps) when deciding where to go, that would be really helpful.

Just looking to make the most of the week and get as much time in the water as I can.

Cheers!

I’ve been a couple times to north east to tynemouth, Scarborough and bambrough. (Rubbish spelling sorry). Looking for some new spots maybe some easy reef/ point breaks with predictable waves. I’m also looking to go this weekend as the surf looks good but it might be too big on the Sunday, anyone know of sheltered spots which are good when conditions are a little big.

Am heading down to Tropical Pressure tomorrow but have the evening off family duties tonight and have borrowed a surf board...ive seen the swell is pretty rubbish but any suggestions on where might be worth going? Thoughts on Portreath or maybe Gwithian? Bonus if you can point to me to somewhere I can crash in my car or a cheap campsite for the night....thanks.

Edit. Im a beginner from Devon

Anyone had any good experiences with searching hands resellers, Amy recommendations?

Time has come to shell out on a new 4/3 suit as my old janga has just died and import fees mean not worth buying from janga unless in Portugal. Suit brands and their change every few years so what's good now - ideally want the blend of warmth, flexibility/ comfort and durability. I know some suits like O'Neill hyperfreak and ripcurls are super flexible and comfortable but they seem to die after a season. Are Srface / needs essentials still any good? Will probably be buying a new 6/5/4 for supering north sea winter too as my Luna suit is v warm but very cumbersome to put on / off, so any suggestions on that welcome too.

Salty post after driving to Bude for a Surfline-predicted 5-7ft fair to good day... its pretty shit out there and Surfline is still saying it's good.

I know you've gotta take these online forecasts with a pinch of salt, but they're usually roughly correct, just wondering if more experienced surfers had any words of wisdom on predicting waves in the UK.

I'm trying to do my due diligence and come to a conclusion on why today is much worse than Surfline forecasted, but I can't find a smoking gun. Looking at the Bideford Bay buoy data, https://coastalmonitoring.org/realtimedata/?chart=97, it looks pretty solid and there is almost no wind. It seems Surf-Forecast got it right, https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Bude/forecasts/latest/six_day, do people find that they are often more accurate? Or is it just a broken clock's right twice a day?

Thanks, if the waves are pumping after the tide comes in I'll delete this post lol

Just got an offer to study at Bournemouth Uni. Currently surf at the witterings mainly and north Devon a few times a year if I can (usually spring and summer season), and have visited boscombe only the once in winter when the sun set too early to really enjoy it by time I arrived :(

Are there any locals or frequent surfers who can share tips and spots? I know it's a can be flat but work sometimes kinda place, but how often does it work? I'm assuming winter there is more opportunities. Are the locals friendly 😂

Hi, a few months ago I posted here and got some great advice which led to me getting a 7'8 minimal made by Bill Atlee. It's been great and just what I needed. I'm surfing mostly on The Wave as I live in Bristol, but plan to get some more trips to the coast when the surf is good.

I've found myself wanting to turn more on waves, and I'm finding the 7'8 quite slow, as if I make a movement and it's like dragging this huge thing behind me! I guess thats exactly what it is. Its nice to cruise, but thats about it

So I'd like to get a second board. I still want something versatile, that I can use in as many conditions as possible.

I was thinking a good next step might be between 6'2 to 6'7? I'm 6ft and weigh about 75kg. I've seen some boards that size that still have a fair bit of volume, between 35l and 42l for example.

Any advice would be greatly welcome, there are so many options now it's overwhelming.

Here is a video of me surfing...still quite stiff but better than before! I only started 4 months ago so go easy on me :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOcd0oFnm_8

thanks

Hi all,

I’m based in the Midlands but happy to drive and camp etc. Which spots are the best for surfing between April-September? I usually go to Scarborough or Cornwall.

Next, I have a used 3/2 wetsuit, but unfortunately it has a tear near the armpit area. Any recommendations for what thickness I want for my next wetsuit for the time stated above? I really feel the cold too ahah. I’m looking at the Wetsuit Outlet online, thoughts?

Finally, I currently have a used foamie (9.5ft) and a used custom board (7.2ft). I’m struggling with the custom board at the moment, foamie I catch waves nicely but I want to progress from just catching and riding the wave to starting to turn and carve. Any suggestions on board? Context: I’m 6’2”, 80kg, top end of beginner skill level I’d say (like I said, I can pop up and catch waves, usually around 4ft).

Any other advice would be appreciated as I continue to explore surfing :)

Got a scrape today at the wave pool, on the wall. The photo looks like a scrape but it's more of a small crack

Is this just a case of solarez? Should I gouge it out a little first to give it something to take to.

Any advice welcome! I've never done a repair before as a relative newbie

Thanks

Hi guys, I want to go surfing in Brighton as its the closest spot to me (SE London), but the forecast (surfline) never seems to make much sense. I follow a few guys who surf down there and they seem to have pretty good waves when the forecast indicates it should be anything but.

Is there certain conditions I should be looking for or should I just go when theres some size? Also which beaches are best?

Thanks

Hi, I've been surfing for a few months but every day in Sri Lanka. I'm back in the UK and I want to get my own board, and I've been looking at 7'6 Torq boards, like the mod fun. But then I saw this for sale, and thought it was a bit more unique

What do you think? How will it compare to the Torq boards, and do you thinks a good buy for someone at my level? I'm mostly surfing The Wave Bristol, and catching most waves at 4/5 foot (not with great style though!)

Thanks

Hey anyone going to The Wave / Bristol this weekend? Would be down to carpool / share car costs.

Hi guys coming down to Newquay this weekend/next week with the weather improving is it still 4/3 territory at the moment or are people switching to 3/2's?

Hi all, first time posting here and would be very appreciative of any insights from locals. My friend (beginner-ish) and I (intermediate) will be based in the Newquay area for the next 4 days. We have a car and are ready to drive to spots around Cornwall/Devon.

We’ve checked the forecast and the conditions seem pretty big today and tomorrow. From our research, the north coast in Cornwall might be too exposed.

Any recommendations for more sheltered spots in Cornwall or Devon for the next two days and for Saturday?

Not asking for secret spots — just trying to make safe, respectful choices.

Thanks!

Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th May... looking for any surf spot recommendations in North Wales or North East England.

Wind forecasts look pretty rough everywhere at the moment and I’m struggling to work out what might still work in those conditions.

I’m based in Manchester and happy to travel either west or east if there’s a chance of getting a fun little session in somewhere. Not looking for anything huge or perfect, just something surfable and enjoyable.

Any local knowledge or suggestions for spots that handle strong wind well, or maybe have a bit of shelter in these conditions? Thanks 🤙