Surfing at Croyde Bay

Croyde Bay is home to some of the best surf breaks in England. The currents can be strong and the waves powerful, if you are learning to surf, nearby Saunton and Woolacombe are much more suitable.

Croyde will pick up a little less swell than North Cornwall beaches, but the quality of the waves here are generally superior. At low-tide on a clean swell, Croyde beats Fistral in Newquay hands down.

The beach is relatively small and gives qaulity A-frame peaks at low tide, especially good at the North end. One theory is that an offshore reef affects the swell that shapes the low tide sand banks. A normal or neap tide is best, a sping low will not give the same quality.

At the far north of the beach, on a spring high tide, a bowling right hander breaks over shallow reef. It is quite a paddle out, or alteratively there is access from a slipway near Baggy Point car park.

The big wave spot here is Oyster's, which breaks some distance out to sea and only on a very big swell

Downend Point lies on the head land between Saunton and Croyde and can be viewed from the coast road or last lay-by. It is a right hand point break, breaking at low tide onto reef. A perfect wave and not too heavy, but experienced surfers only. Be careful to check out the entry and exit points before attempting to paddle out here.

The South end of Croyde beach can have a nice left hander at mid-tide on the push. It's a semi-reef break, but there is also a more mellow beach break here and a little less crowded. The first car park on the right on the road from Saunton gives convenient access and is not too pricey.

The main hazards here are the crowds in summer holidays and summer weekends. Most surfing injuries are caused by beginners dropping in or letting their boards go when they wipe out. Keep hold of your board and learn the drop-in rule! The small size of the beach and it's local fame, means getting a wave to yourself is hard work.

For the less experienced surfer, Croyde is more mellow on high tide. There are also a few reefs and a point break in the area. Putsborough on the other side of Baggy Head (the headland to the north of the beach), gives good waves on a pushing tide from mid to high tide and protection from the (prevailing) south west wind.

The main surf shops in Croyde are Redwood and LeSport. LeSport surf shop is run by local legend surfer Ralph Freeman, who has a reef break in the area named after him.

Last Updated: 2009-12-22 09:11:03

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