Surfing
Surfing in Pembrokeshire is one of the simplest and easiest sports to access and have a go at. You’ll need some kind of board…a surf board, body board, skim board, paddle board, a plank of wood?! All sorts of boards are available to hire at beaches across Pembrokeshire. If you don’t have you own, equipment for all sizes can be hired for the day or if you are wanting to purchase equipment please consider its life span. This is specifically regarding foam body boards! Spending a little extra means that you’ve purchased a board that will last, not simply to be thrown away after a weeks holiday.
Where to go
With so many beaches to choose from along the Pembrokeshire coast you can’t go too far wrong most of them can be great for playing in the swell and waves. However there are some more suited, with regular swell, more space and lifeguards on duty.
North Pembrokeshire
Newport, Whitesands and Newgale make excellent choices for a day of body boarding or surfing. These beaches are large enough for the whole family to enjoy, with space to set-up your own encampment.
South Pembrokeshire
Tenby’s beaches North and South can get very busy, but they are have lovely yellow sand and easy access to the town above for ice creams galore.
Freshwater West is another large, sandy beach with waves! This beach regularly picks up more swell than others due to the direction it faces, making it great for surfing. However it is not patrolled by lifeguards and does have strong currents. So if your heading here make sure you read the signs that are in place and always pay attention to people in the water.
Beginners
What’s more rewarding than having a go at something new?! We highly recommend heading out with Libby at Board Games Surfing for excellent tuition on a board. She offers half day boarding session either surfing or paddle boarding at some wonderful location in North Pembrokeshire. Surfing tuition for beginners and improvers often head to Newgale or Broad Haven for the best fun in the swell. Libby then runs stand up paddle boarding tours from Lower Town in Fishguard. Here you’ll head through the tranquil harbour and out around the Old Fort to discover and explore caves and coves along the way.
Experienced Surfers
If the swell’s in the right direction and the wind is playing ball, Pembrokeshire has some epic surf! As above, beaches such as Newgale, Whitesands and Freshwater West pick up swell so a great first choices for waves with different peaks at each location and definitely punchy enough for intermediate and more advanced surfing. When conditions are favourable, read up on breaks at Broad Haven South, Abereiddi and Manobier.
Maybe surfing doesn’t quite sound like your type of enjoyment, have you thought about cycling.