Lahinch - Left surf guide
Surf: An extremely long (300m+), fun, left reef at the south end of the beach, popular with locals and intermediate surfers. Surfable on all tides when big, but better towards low when small. Tapering walls with a bit of vertical and shoulder combined.
Access: Park in carpark above the reef or in the beach carpark.
Environment: Often crowded when it works which isn't as often as the beachbreaks.
Surf: General: Beachbreak in front of Lahinch Village. Great beginner spot. Picks up any swell so is great during warm summer months. Lifeguard attended (during summer months). Gets busy with tourists and surf lessons but there is a lot of room to spread out. Best when it is small (chest high or under) and low tide. Hazards when swell gets bigger and at higher tides.
Tides: Low to mid
Size: Waist to head high, any bigger the beach fills with rips.
Wind: E
Swell: SW-NW
Bottom: Sand.
Paddling: Not too far to paddle but if you are surfing here you are probably starting out and your shoulders will be burning anyway.
Spot Rating: Great family spot or place to pick up the basics of surfing safely. Good access to amenities. Soft and playful.
Access: Access from public parking (pay system) in the village. Not recommended to access beach or waves at high tide as water comes right up to the breakwall. Backwash and rips make it far too dangerous for a beginner surfer. Any tide more than 3/4 up can create a dangerous situation.
Crowds: Crowd Factor: This beach gets crowded with tourists and locals alike. Great weekend spot with the kids. Gets crowded. Watch out for out of control beginners.
Local Vibe: Family style wave. Good vibes. Always a good idea to talk to the lifeguards before entering the water.
Environment: Very clean.
Hazards: Strong rips when bigger and under certain conditions. Entry and exit hazards at high tide.
Season: Summer or small days during more the more swell prolific winter season.