Beginners Guide to Surfing at Widemouth Bay

Welcome to the beautiful Widemouth Bay in Bude, Cornwall! If you're a beginner eager to catch some waves and experience the joy of surfing, you've come to the right place. Here's a beginner's guide to surfing at Widemouth Bay:

Three miles south of Bude and accessible via the South West Coast Path, Widemouth Bay is comprised of two stretches of sand; the main Widemouth Bay beach and Black Rock to the south of the main beach, with reefs at either end of the bay. 

Widemouth Bay

The Beach

The main beach is a beach break and is a perfect wave to learn to surf on, due to the forgiving nature of sand compared to rocks or reef. With its naturally open expanse of beach, there are plenty of peaks available for all abilities with lots of lefts and rights at this break, with a preference for right handers next to camel rock to the north of the beach (although this can be a steeper wave!).

Widemouth Bay is also ideal for bodyboarding and swimming.

Access

Widemouth Bay has paid parking facilities (cash, card and JustPark App) that are right next to the beach. Within the carpark you'll find free access toilets, including a disabled access toilet.

You will also find Widemouth Bay Cafe where you can find coffee, light snacks and full cooked meals from 10am-4.30pm daily.

The car park leads on to the main section of the beach, which is the busiest section. There is access via stair case, or ramp immediately next to the steps.

 

When to paddle out at Widemouth Bay:

The bay works best with a westerly swell and easterly offshore winds.

At high tide, the waves become dumpy and break directly onto the rocks.

On the other hand, at low tide, the beach becomes quite 'rippy' due to the ebbing swell.

Therefore, the best time to head out is during the mid tide (two hours either side of high/ low). In order to enter at the right time, be sure to check the surf forecast or check tide times online, or at Widemouth Bay you can find the tide times for the day provided by the lifeguard tower.

Safety First

Before hitting the waves, make sure you're aware of the safety guidelines and always check the weather and tide conditions before heading out. It's always advisable to surf between the black and white checkered flags during lifeguard hours for added safety:

• Easter School Holiday: mid March – mid April
• Weekends only: mid April – late April
• Daily: early May – late September
• Weekends only: early October – mid October
• October Half Term: mid October – early November

The RNLI Lifeguard patrol times are from 10am – 6pm.

If you're not a strong swimmer, you might also consider taking a few swimming lessons before attempting to surf!

Gear Up

Rent or purchase the right gear. You'll need a soft-top surfboard for better stability and safety, a wetsuit suitable for the water temperature, and a leash to keep your board attached to your ankle.

You can hire a surfboard and wetsuit kit from us here at OA Surf Club starting at £10 for 2 hours rental. We only arrange rental during the Lifeguarded hours of the day, so rental is available from 10am-5pm daily and can be arranged by calling us at 01288 362900.

Depending on the time of year, you may also want to consider using additional gear such as booties and gloves for colder months (we generally start reintroducing booties and gloves around mid November until mid March). Alternately, in summer, think sunscreen and a hat!

Take a Lesson

If you're new to surfing, taking a lesson from a certified instructor is highly recommended. OA Surf Club is a Surfing England affiliated surf school that has been running out of Widemouth Bay for over twenty-five years. We offer lessons for beginners, and these lessons will teach you the basics of paddling, getting on the board, catching waves, and maintaining your balance.

Respect the Environment

Widemouth Bay's natural beauty is a treasure. So much so that Widemouth Bay has been awarded the Blue Flag and Seaside Award. Widemouth Bay's cleanliness is in no small part thanks to the incredible efforts of Widemouth Task Force. The Taskforce is a volunteer Beach Environmental group, who meet at least once a month to clear litter, rope, netting, and plastic bottles etc from Salthouse, Widemouth, Blackrock, Wanson Upton and Millook.

In order to contribute to the natural beauty of Widemouth Bay, always respect the beach and ocean by not leaving any rubbish behind. There are abundant rubbish bins next to the steps in the carpark.

Also, be mindful of marine life and the local ecosystem. It's rare to find marine life coming in contact with humans at Widemouth Bay, but occasionally it does happen. If you are fortunate enough to encounter seals, fish, birds etc, be sure to leave a respectful difference and don't disturb their natural habitat.

Black Rock

With its own car park and café to the south of Widemouth Bay, Black Rock is dog friendly all year round and can be accessed by walking from Widemouth Bay along the beach or coastal path.

The beach has various peaks, with a right hander towards the south side of this stretch of beach and a left hander coming of Black Rock itself. Both of these peaks have a few rocks to contend with, so caution is advised before committing to surfing in these areas.

Have Fun!

Remember, surfing is about enjoying the ocean and having a great time. Don't take yourself too seriously, and relish the moments you spend in the water!

Widemouth Bay is a fantastic place to start your surfing journey, book a lesson with us to get started. The beautiful coastline, welcoming atmosphere, and friendly locals make it an ideal spot for beginners. So, catch some waves, embrace the experience, and have an unforgettable time in the water!