Mewslade Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Reports

Rob Davies from UNITED KINGDOM writes:

Mewslade Beach is a magnificent place. Two hundred foot high sheer limestone cliffs form an imposing backdrop for a surf session and the rock climbing is pretty good here too.

Surfing here is pretty hit and miss. First, you have to avoid high tide because on everything apart from a low neap the sea covers the sand and there will be no surfable waves.

The rest of the time it is pretty good and for a Welsh beachbreak it can get pretty heavy on account of a steeper than usual beach profile and wide exposure to the prevailing SW swell that means it's generally about the same size here as at Llangennith but Mewslade generally packs a bit more punch, especially on the rising tide. Waves are usually biggest under beneath Thurba Head, the imposing cliff on the East side of the Bay.

Even when the wind is light or offshore, the quality of the surf is very variable because of the changing buildup of sand around the various rocks and headlands. Winter storms can strip away over a metre or more of sand changing it from a big sandy beach to something much rockier. Take care because there are generally rocks to be aware of, especially as the tide comes in.

On a good day, when the banks are right and there is a NW wind blowing down the valley, Mewslade can provide fast and wedgy walls, usually intense short rides. On days when things don't quite come together it's can be a heavy close out and even on good days there are usually close-out sets that are no fun at all. It's always a short-board wave.

Mewslade is a good indicator for the local reefs. In general, the ones to the East will be a bit bigger and similarly wind-affected to here whereas nearby Fall Bay Reef doesn't work until Mewslade Beach is about head high and a much better bet if the wind has any west in it. At low tide the two beaches at Mewslade and Fall become one.

The longish walk from the road means it is rarely crowded, but when it is working you would be very lucky to be the only one there.

2010-03-10