Bournemouth surf guide
Surf: Fun, beachbreak peaks with sandbars anchored by the pier. East side is the most popular spot on the Channel coast, with lefts heading back into the pier and faster rights leading down the beach. More peaks on the west side without the SW wind protection. Paddling channel next to pier. On a solid SW groundswell (or SE windswell) and N wind there are barrels for the taking.
Environment: Always crowded with locals, students, beginners, etc. Year-round pay car park by the beach, hard to get a spot in the summer.
Surf: General: The pier helps consistent banks form to the east and west of the structure. They break during the regular windswells, or more rare SW or W groundswell, when the waves can rise above the usual waist high, crowded onshores, to produce some decent, long walls. One of the most popular spots on the south coast with large local community.
Tides: Prefers a pushing tide but breaks through the range.
Size: Waist high to head high.
Wind: N
Swell: E windswells, SW groundswells
Bottom: Sand
Paddling: OK, rip by the pier.
Spot Rating: A spot that's often small and onshore, but can get good when the runes align.
Access: Parking available in Bath Road South car park just back from the beach.
Crowds: Crowd Factor: Intense little area, doesn't take much to create a crowd.
Local Vibe: Competitive, lots of local crew who will be on it.
Environment: OK - can be sewage after heavy rains.
Hazards: Crowds, pier, rips.
Season: September - February are best when the big swells roll into the Channel.