Boscombe / Bournemouth

[sross2203]

Afternoon,

Before people start moaning / whining about the reef etc - let me be absolutely clear - I'm just not interested in what's been said / done or how well it has boosted the local economy or anything like that.

What I would like to know, is that on weeks like this, MSW states that Boscombe and Bournemouth are both pretty surfable - I live in Southampton and struggle to get to Putsborugh / Polzeath etc more than one weekend a month, but I work in Lymington.

Basically, i'm looking for some help from someone who knows these two breaks to tell me / help me understand what swell direction / wind direction etc would be best and therefore i can bring my board to work on the days where it might be worth heading in for an after work session.

Any help would be really appreciated - especially prior to this Thursday / Friday as it looks quite good...

Cheers

Si

[jaffa1949]

If you are near the surf keep your board in your car ready to respond to the call of the sea.
Park in the shade and hopefully in a non theft zone.
You know you are on standby and the smell of wetsuit essence and wax will prime for a good session.
BTW isn't there a camera over viewing the pier
Yes there is and since it's not a secret spot
http://www.sortedsurfshop.co.uk/weather.asp. Camera links here.

[sross2203]

Yeah, I checked out the webcam earlier, just never having surfed down there before I thought it would be good to hear about it from someone closer. Thanks for the link though.

Unfortunately my board is too big to live in my car - being a bit of a lump, I ride a 7ft8 Graeme Bunt, so taking it to work everyday would be a pain, also, not being able to leave it there makes it all a touch harder.

Anyway seems preparation would be key - cheers for the help

[kitesurfer]

Why bother with crowded b'mouth when there r better less crowded breaks closer to southampton? KS

[sross2203]

KS, thanks for the response, I'm not the best surfer in the world or ever surfed round this area so not sure of the more secrete spots....feel free to share them here or message me, if you'd be so kind.

Do you really think Boscombe and Bournemouth are a complete waste of time?

[kitesurfer]

Yes and especially when they go aussie stlye like this!



That said they're not that bad.

KS

[sross2203]

Yeah, seen that webcam, tough to make a judgement off that, but to be honest I just want to be out in the surf more than I am at the moment.

Your honest help is appreciated - not quite ready to start offering up other locations yet though??

[PolzeathSurferSarah1]

Lets face it, the reef hasn't got anything special! If you're heading Putsborough or Polzy you've got good waves coming your way anyway. Oh FIY the waves on the dog beach at Woolacombe are something to write home about on a good day, only a ten minute jog along the beach from Putsborough- well worth a look, you can park along marine drive. If you're after a week-day surf- the reef is just about okay- on a rough day.

[jaffa1949]

Yes and especially when they go aussie stlye like this!



That said they're not that bad.

KS

Hadn't seen that but how easy would it be to get AIR

[Toj]

Yeah, I checked out the webcam earlier, just never having surfed down there before I thought it would be good to hear about it from someone closer. Thanks for the link though.

Unfortunately my board is too big to live in my car - being a bit of a lump, I ride a 7ft8 Graeme Bunt, so taking it to work everyday would be a pain, also, not being able to leave it there makes it all a touch harder.

Anyway seems preparation would be key - cheers for the help

i occasionlly surf down in bournemouth and boscombe, and it can be alright. sometimes its very good but thats like 10 days a year. but i did the same as i live in salisbury is just to keep my board in my car, and then phone into the surfing shop to find out the latest and see what they say. be prepared to ride messy waves though as its hard to get a nice clean section, also Highcliffe isnt a bad spot to go. ive been there once, but if im going to travel there then i'd rather to go to Saunton sands. How much of a strong surfer are you, as Kimmeridge is amazing on any sort of day really but its a ,ong way out and its all rockbed. i havent braved that yet and probably wont for some time. but it might also be worth checking out as its somewhere near Lymington i think?! i have an 8ft bilbo in an 8ft4in. rhino travel bag and that fits in my car snug. what car have you got for the 7.8 not to fit in?

hope this is of some help to you.

[Bails]

Next to the pier in Bournemouth gets very crowded but it can be nice sometimes. Just be prepared to be dropped in on by some guy who doesn't know what he's doing. I agree with toj highcliffe is good somtimes too, thats where i'm at most of the time.

[BatRunt]

Boscombe waves are steeper than bournemouth even without the influence of the reef. this means i pearl much more at boscombe.

bournemouth is also more sheltered by the pier, boscombe pier is more open construction, so not much protection from current or wind. Boscombe has 365days a year lifeguard cover. boscombe also has a changing and hot showers.

both get busy, especially on days where its waist to head high. rare but they do happen.

fortunately i'm crap so when conditions are good enough for me its less crowded with grumpy wannabe pros, but lots of us learners in.

if you want company on a friday morning, let me know!!

[Toj]

ah typical. i was there today. friday morning was a actually a pretty good day and very few people around