Surfing: A beginner's guide to beaches
Llangennith
Llangennith gets the most consistent waves out of all of the Gower beaches. It is quite a safe beach due to the lack of rocks and fairly weak waves, making it popular with learners, surf schools and long boarders.
The beach has no lifeguards, however, so make sure you never go alone. The length of the beach means there are always a number of peaks to be found so even though it can get busy in the summer months, there is always plenty of room for everyone.
Llangennith’s flat terrain and windy conditions also make it popular with kite surfers and wind surfers. There is always a great atmosphere through the summer months with the various sports taking place up and down the beach.
Hill End campsite to the rear of the beach is very popular due to its stunning location and excellent toilet and shower facilities. There is nothing better than spending a summer’s weekend surfing and camping with friends at Llangennith. In the local area there is a surf shop, a pub, a beach café and a corner shop – everything you could need to spend a day or weekend at the beach getting to grips with your surfing.
Caswell
If you haven’t got time to drive to Llangennith but you want to get in for a quick morning surf then Caswell is the next best beach to check out. Caswell is an ideal beach for beginner and intermediate surfers; the waves aren’t as powerful as some of the other Gower beaches, and the beach has lifeguards through the summer months.
Caswell is predominantly sand with some rock at either end of the beach but you must be aware that the beach splits into two at high tide becoming Caswell and Redcliff. Caswell is best surfed at low to mid tide – you can check out local tide times at www.gowerlive.co.uk
Caswell has a car park right on the beach so that you don’t have to walk far with your board. You do have to pay so make sure to bring some change. There are also good toilet facilities and a nice cafe to keep your energy up for your day catching waves.
Langland
Langland is another awesome surfing beach and my personal favourite. Unfortunately, it doesn’t get much surf through the summer but it’s pumping during the winter months.
However, Langland is not the place to learn to surf as the many rips and rocks can make it extremely dangerous for the inexperienced. With more than five different surf breaks on the one beach, toilet and shower facilities and a cool café, it really is the surf mecca of Swansea. Langland beach has always had a good local scene with many excellent surfers so competition can be fierce especially when the surf is good.
Meet Lloyd Cole
Lloyd Cole is three times Welsh Champion, a former British and European team member and the head coach for the Welsh Surfing Federation. Lloyd is committed to the development of Welsh surfing and runs a surf academy based in Swansea.
Visit: www.lloydcolesurfacademy.co.uk
Making surfing
Meet…John Purton one of Europe’s top surfboard shapers.
He runs JP Surfboards out of his factory in Crofty, Swansea.
How did you get into shaping surfboards?
I started shaping because I couldn’t afford a new board at the time; I decided that DIY was the best option. I have been in the industry for 27 years and now make about 18 boards a week shipping them around the UK and Europe.
S
ome of the best surfers in the country ride your boards. How important is this to your company?
It’s crucial to have these guys riding my boards as they are at the cutting edge of all aspects of surfing. Their feedback and input is essential for me to progress and develop to the next level. I also sponsor some local kids but it’s up to them to stay focused on their ambitions. There is one grom who is showing potential but it’s still early days.
I hear you have been making some top Welsh ruby players some surfboards?
Yeah, Ryan Jones and Ian Gough are tidy boys. They make me feel like a toddler when I stand next to them so it was big boards for them! They both live on the Gower and are totally amped on surfing, it’s all they talk about when they come round.
Being a family-run business and that you’re all keen surfers, what happens when the surf is good?
We shut up shop and go surfing then come back to work if need be!
We usually surf Crab Island and the reefs. There are plenty of top breaks locally. We’ve got a great surf scene in Swansea that can rival Devon and Cornwall.
Any advice for readers looking to buy a new surfboard?
Always try before you buy! Give us a call to discuss what you want from a surfboard or drop in to pick up a demo board.
