Northwest Wales Surfing

Anglesey sits off the NW coast of Wales and is the least consistent area for waves due to its ultra narrow swell window. Quality surf only occurs when strong SW swells make it up St Georges Channel and winds are from? the NE. The SW coast of the island features a number of rocky beaches, like Rhosneigr, popular with surfers, windsurfers and kayakers. Really only a winter option. The Lleyn Peninsula is a popular and versatile surf destination and has better exposure to the SW swell; the long beach at Hells Mouth is the most surfed area with a range of beachbreak and reef options. Offshores are rare but when the NE does kick in great conditions prevail. Small waves can be had year round whilst autumn and winter pressure systems will push in some overhead juice. A few times a year big swells will light up the sheltered spots on the peninsula; quiet bays home to quality wedging peaks. Mid Wales is home to a host of slumbering classic set-ups. From Harlech to Borth long stretches of beginner friendly west facing beaches work in small swells. At Borth (a proposed artificial reef site) the coastal geography changes from beaches to cliffs and boulder reefs. Aberystwyth is Cardigan Bay's surf centre and home to a brace of classy but inconsistent reefs. If there's a 6ft SW swell hitting at Freshwater West in Pembrokeshire then there'll be 3ft in Aber. South of Aber the coastal aspect changes, to face NW. Along the Ceredigion coast lies a long stretch of boulder pointbreaks and secluded bays that come to life when huge winter swells are closing-out the open breaks to the south. A rare event but with the prevailing SW wind offshore there are rewards for the inquisitive. September to April is prime season, whilst summer can be painfully flat.