Cornwall is one of the most beautiful cities in Britain and has many gems in its trove. The North Cornwall coast's Watergate Bay beach is a significant beach located about three miles north of Newquay. During low tide, two miles of golden beaches extend in the direction of Newquay, and out at the water, gigantic waves from the Atlantic crash in, creating a breathtaking spectacle and a well-liked site for kiteboarding and surfing.
Both residents and tourists who come to surf in North Cornwall love Watergate Bay. When visitors have all the elements for the ideal surf session, it's not difficult to understand why. All different types of surfing enthusiasts seek their groove and position on the coastline at Watergate Bay as the waves sweep in and the tide builds. As waves, swell, and prevailing winds combine to produce the best surfing conditions, both amateurs and experts ride a mix of forces. Let's explore a few details regarding Watergate Bay.
Why Surf In Watergate Bay?
The Tides
Watergate Bay is a surfing area that offers excellent surfing conditions on most tides, in contrast to other beaches in Cornwall. Typically, mid- or high tide is when visitors will discover the perfect waves. Due to the fact that Watergate Bay faces west and looks at the Atlantic, it receives a lot of upswells, particularly to the west. Generally speaking, the swell grows with the tide; the stronger the tide, the larger the waves. It is a fantastic way to learn to surf in Newquay.
The Winds
The Bay performs best when there is a gentle offshore south-easterly breeze. However, the best feature is that swells are protected at high surges by the massive, commanding cliffs. Seeking a secret high-tide dip is usually worthwhile if almost everything in Cornwall is swept out. Low tide, on the other hand, can leave you very exposed. However, it is time to pull the kites outside for a kitesurf whenever the wind speed reaches over 20 knots.
The Facilities
There is something for everyone both on and off the lake, thanks to the multitude of eateries, pubs, and lodging options. There is also plenty of parking close to the beach, which is an extra plus. The Extreme Academy provides everything people could possibly need to surf just on the access road to the beach, including high-performance swimsuits, equipment like footwear, gloves, and caps, storage facilities, surf rental, instruction, and general advice about where to board. There are also hot showers. When people are comfortable and want to replenish, they will discover many options for where to eat and drink.
Best Season To Surf At Watergate Bay
- Just as any other Cornish location, Watergate Bay is best visited between June and August if people want to enjoy warm weather. The climate is typically still quite good in late June, mid-July, and September.
- However, winter, and most commonly February, is the ideal season for surfing at Watergate Bay featuring regular clean ripples and maneuverable surges with light winds.
- The choice will be up to the visitors. It's also crucial to keep in mind that the beach is generally busier and more congested in the summers, so fewer tourists will be there in the winters.
A Beginner In Surfing? Here Are Some Tips
Follow The Instructions
If visitors are a novice to surfing, they should interact with professional lifeguards present at the beach. They are the best experts on waves and rip tides. Visitors will understand essential beach knowledge, secure surfing locations, signs, and surfing precautions during the session overview. During surfing, safety comes first because people should never take the water casually because of its incredible force. It's essential that visitors stay within their limitations. For a novice, waistline or even thigh length is ideal since it makes visitors safer and increases their chance of catching more swells.
Practice
While surfing may appear simple from the shore, it is not. Catching waves requires paddling because it creates energy that will carry one forward as they race for the coast, with the surge hitting the back of the surfboard. Paddling hard and using long, cupped sweeps is the ideal technique. Don't give up if you can't break the swells after a few minutes in the water because surfing is a discipline that requires several skills and time to perfect.
Position Yourself
In order to catch waves on the shore, the guide will demonstrate where and how to lie on the surfboard and how to balance with the ideal foot posture. The board will halt if people are too far behind or too far ahead.
Although everyone is familiar with the renowned surfer stance, many people lose it when really on a board. Standing side-on with the knees slightly bowed, arms raised, and looking front with the hands in the direction one wishes to go.
One will inevitably tumble off the surfboard and might end up feeling a little perplexed. As a novice in shallow water, it is especially crucial that people protect their heads.
Always keep the rope secured to the back leg. Despite the fact that might seem like you are always getting stuck in it, one would prefer that rather have the surfboard drift away.
Some of the best beaches are in Cornwall, England, and visitors will be mesmerized by Watergate Bay's splendor and thrilled by the surfing opportunities the Bay provides. Everyone who enjoys surfing should visit here to go to the biggest surfing waves in the world.