Local Information
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Polzeath
A very popular and safe beach break for all ages and ability. Works well at low tide and on the push in. At low tide the right hand side gets very crowded due to the sand bank that produces a great inside section. There are several peaks across the bay to look for that avoid the crowds.
Between mid and high tide, beneath the lifeguard hut, the rocks on the left hand side work particularly well for body boarders and knee boarders, or the more experienced surfer. It offers a steep and shallow elevator drop that often makes it to an inside section. Confident lefthanders should apply !
At high tide, go home - waves get channeled by the cliffs and turn very sloppy.
Greenaway
Breaks at mid tide on medium to large swell, 3ft upwards. Arguably the most intense reef break in Cornwall, difficult to surf (dry) and difficult to get to. A local only break, so come live here if you want to surf it !
Baby Bay
Not much to say about this bay, which is to the right of Polzeath beach, best reached from New Polzeath. It can only be surfed at low to mid tide, but at low tide, you may as well be surfing Polzeath.
Lundy
The best break in the area when Polzeath is big and blown out. It will generally break 2ft smaller than Polzeath and because it is sheltered by the cliffs it will stay clean in most conditions.
It can only really be surfed on the lowest of tides and gets considerably messier as the tide reaches the rocks. However, the rocks on the right-hand side of the bay (looking out) offer a steep elevator drop as the tide reaches them.
The bay is quite difficult to reach and can be accessed from the Polzeath to Port Isaac cliff path. The one and a half mile walk from the road tends to keep all but the most experienced surfers away. Again, another locals only break.
Daymer
Very popular beach, especially with wind surfers. In general this is the last place to look, however on the biggest storm swells this is probably the only place you will be able to surf. When Polzeath is excessively big and blown out, and the swell is even too big for Lundy to hold then it is worth giving Daymer a go.
Works best at low-tide with the swell wrapping around Trebetherick producing some good clean lines. This is however a VERY rare spectacle.
Cowrie
Bit of a mythical wave this one. There has to be a reasonable swell for it to work, 3ft and upwards and it will only break on the lowest of tides. It breaks very shallow on a reef about half way between Baby Bay and Pentire Head.
Basically it looks great, but the likelihood of seeing anyone surfing on it is rare. It is much more likely that the line-up will be 100 yards further towards the shore.
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- Polzeath Surf Life Saving Club -
Seniors and older juniors battle it out at the start of the ski leg of the Iron Man.
Teams from all over Cornwall and North Devon are taking part. These competitions take part through-out the summer and are hosted by many of the clubs and give valuable training and rankings for both national and international events. Polzeath members have gained several county & national caps.
The Junior section of the club is particularly strong and perform to a high standard in local and national competition . Juniors are aged 12 to 15 and become seniors at 16yrs of age.
The Nipper section of the club celebrate after another successful day on the beach .Nippers are aged 7 to 12 years and take part in carnivals & competitions at clubs all around Cornwall. As well as the ongoing program of water safety, lifesaving tuition & fitness training all year round.
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To see what's on with the surf please visit A1 Surf Report