GUIDE TO SURF BEACHES IN THE BUDE AREA

Summary:

Some good quality beach breaks with a little shelter from SW on shores. Gets very crowded in the Summer.

Location:

From Exeter take the A30 as far as the first junction after Okehampton where you will find the route sign posted to Bude via Holsworthy.

Name of Breaks:

Crooklets
Summerleaze

Crooklets is the northern of the two breaks in front of the golf course. There is parking just by the break. Summerleaze is south of Crooklets by the outdoor swimming pool.

Direction Of Breaks:

Best wind direction is any E'ly component which is offshore although Summerleaze is a little sheltered on a S or SW'ly at high tide.

Comments:

Both beaches are sand bottomed and work at most states of the tide. At mid to high tide there can be a good peak off the swimming pool at Summerleaze.

Like most of the beach breaks in this area once the swell gets above 6-8 foot close outs become the order of the day and getting out is very difficult.

In conclusion, some good waves on small to medium sized swells. Best to avoid these breaks in the Summer season as they get very crowded with tourists.

Summary:

Uncrowded, average beach break which only breaks well for limited parts of the tide.

Location:

From Stratton follow the sign posts to Stibb. At Stibb turn left and follow signs to Coombe, where just over bridge Duckpool is signposted on the left.

Name of Break:

Direction Of Break:

Best wind direction is any E'ly component which is offshore although SE and NE winds may produce chop if they are strong.

Comments:

The break works from about 2 to 3 hours after high tide down to low and back up again. It is a beach break with a bank of large shingle rocks at high tide.

It is at its best with smaller swells and with two distinct times when the waves break well.

Firstly around about 2 hours after low tide there can be good rights breaking off the rocks at the North end of the beach. This lasts for about an hour to an hour and a half.

Secondly, at around low spring tide there can be a good left that breaks off the rocks at the far South of the beach. If it is working you will see where I mean. Note that once the tide comes in a bit after low tide that the sand at this part of the beach gets covered and it can be a scramble over rocks to get back to the main part of the beach.

In summary, this break is only average when it works well but has a redeeming factor that it is always uncrowded.

Summary:

Average beach break which only breaks well for limited parts of the tide.

Location:

From Stratton follow the sign posts to Stibb. At Stibb turn left and at next left turn follow signs to Sandymouth.

Name of Break:

Direction Of Break:

Best wind direction is any E'ly component which is offshore although SE and NE winds may produce chop if they are strong.

Comments:

The break works from about 3 hours after high tide down to low and back up again. It is a beach break with a bank of large shingle rocks at high tide.

It is at its best with smaller swells as there tend to be a lot of close outs on larger swells.

Once the tide has dropped the beach is quite large with plenty of peaks along its length. At dead low tide there will often be a tendency for the waves to close out. The beach also consists of several banks of sand so waves often break outside, reform and then break inside.

Although the best peaks move around, one of the most consistent can be found just to the north of the entrance to the beach where waves break into the small stream coming out at that point. In general, the better peaks do seem to be at the northern end of the beach.

In summary, this break is only average and gets full of tourists in the summer. It can be good on its day but more often than not the sessions are average at best.

Summary:

A popular beach break with generally easy waves.

Location:

From Stratton turn left on to the A39. Go past the turnings to Bude and after about 3 miles turn right when sign posted to Widemouth Bay. When this road reaches the coast turn right and the parking is about 1/4 mile on the left.

Name of Break:

Direction Of Break:

Best wind direction is any E'ly component which is offshore although SE and NE winds may produce chop if they are strong.

Comments:

Depending on swell direction and size this break can produce good waves at any state of the tide. The best waves usually occur about 2 hours before high tide up to high tide. There will normally be several peaks with the better ones just in front of the life guard hut. If the banks are in a good shape there can be reasonable lefts towards the south of the beach.

At low tide there can be rideable waves if the swell is small. However, most of the time low tide and the early part of the push will produce close outs. In addition once the swell gets much above 6 foot it can be a pig of a time getting out.

This beach is very popular with beginners so expect it to be crowded at all times in the summer and during winter weekends. Dawn patrols are the best way of getting uncrowded waves here.

There are some rideable peaks amongst the rocks at the northern part of the beach. However, these should be left for experienced surfers only.

In summary, this break can be good on its day. One of its advantages is that it works at high tide. It is well worth giving this break a look but be prepared for crowds at peak times.