South Coast Surfing - The Rough Guide !!!

Since the 1960's surfers have been catching the best waves on the South Coast at Bournemouth and Boscombe Pier, Southbourne Beach, Highcliffe and Kimmeridge Bay. Bournemouth Bay has always been known as a safe surfing location and for its clean beaches.

The best waves for surfing are driven by low pressure systems in the North Atlantic, these push swells on the South Coast. Wind blown waves can be created within a few hours in this area by fresh westerly, southerly or south easterly winds. Besides the cutting edge performance of short surfboards, the surf offers many ways to catch waves, from simply swimming in the waves bodysurfing, through bodyboarding, to riding long Malibu surfboards.

The latest development here is news of a proposal by Wessex Surf Club and backed by Bournemouth Borough Council to build an artificial reef 200m offshore to transform the pattern and height of incoming waves. Similar schemes have beeen approved in L.A. and Australia but don't hold your breath, even if things go well, the 10ft wide sand filled bags that make up the reef will not be in position unitl the winter of 2006. Click here for more details

Our guide to Bournemouth's Best Breaks

Pick these spots out from a map or if you want to check out conditions try ringing our Surf Report Information Line on (01202) 434344 or go to our Surf Report web page which is updated EVERYDAY and with a longer 3-4 day forecast.

1. Boscombe Pier -
On a high tide in pretty much any wind and with the right swell Boscombe goes off. It provides nice wedgy shorey peaks which can be heavy and hold their shape. Lefts and rights on most southerly swells. The Pier provides shelter from strong SW winds but can be a little crowded at the weekends.

2. Bournemouth Pier -
Works the same as Boscombe but with longer rides. The most popular peak is on the East of the Pier. Offshore winds follow through the Bourne Valley for very hollow waves, but this is rare. Again, sheltered from gales but can get crowded.

3. Southbourne -
Most of the time it's a mellow beginners to intermediate wave, but on large swell it's a notorious shore dump known to break boards and limbs! It works mainly on a SW swell but easterly swells can produce long, clean rides. On solid swells outer banks begin to work on an old sea wall about 400m from shore. No shelter from SW gales and not for the faint hearted.

4. Highcliffe -
This is a sandy beach break which produces long rides on a good SW groundswell but blows out easily. Ideal for beginners except at high tide when backwash from cliffs can be exciting.

5. Kimmeridge Bay -
There are three breaks here, all of which work on a SW groundswell with no winds or gentle offshores. Broad Beach breaks over a granite reef and is very fast and powerful with A-frame peaks breaking in very shallow water - not for the inexperienced. The Ledges is a smaller, fun wave breaking at intervals from the beach on ridges of rock. Again shallow water and can get crowded in good conditions. The Bay is a long ride from the beach into a horseshoe-shaped bay. A slower wave, but still fun.