Rhossili Surf Forecast and Surf Reports (Wales - Gower, UK)

webmaster from UNITED KINGDOM writes:

Rhossili beach is spectacular and the view towards Worm's Head is one of the finest in Wales. It provides surfers with a consistent beach break and is big enough to accommodate large numbers in the water without seeming crowded. It's actually the southern end of the same beach as Llangennith.

The waves here are usually about one third smaller than at Llangennith; smaller than that right under the cliffs. This can be a good thing if Llangennith is too big and you can't handle the paddle out. More often that not the swell in South Wales is too small rather than too big and the extra bit of size on offer at Llangennith is a good thing. Thus Rhossili is a poor second choice if 'gennith is working.
About half way between the two access points, right in front of the Old Rectory (a house that can be rented from the National Trust), you can usually find an uncrowded area even on the busiest days.

When the wind is from a southerly quarter, the high cliffs at Rhossili offer some shelter making for less cross-chop than at Llangennith and on these occasions is can get fairly crowded. Rare easterly gales are tamed by Rhossili Downs too - another situation when this may be a better bet than Llangennith.

The surf at Rhossili is always softer than at Llangennith but it can be good quality, especially for longboarders. Long rides are common but I have never seen it get even slightly hollow. The break works at all stages of the tide, but high tide is best, just as long as the tide isn't so big that it is up on the pebble bank, in which case the wave gets too fat. The shallow beach profile means that long period swells tend to back off regardless of the tide.

You can find a pub, a shop and a couple of cafes in the village overlooking the beach, right by the car park.

2010-03-07