(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“Broughton is one of only a few spots where local surfers congregate when a there is a big swell running but SW winds are blowing out most of the other Gower breaks. In these conditions, which most commonly occur when autumn and winter storms roll off the Atlantic, the best choices for a sheltered wave are Langland, Oxwich and Broughton. Broughton doesn't need as much swell as Oxwich, and is surfable perhaps two or three times as often.
Broughton is best from mid to high tide wave and it needs a fairly solid swell to get going; say 3.5m West or 5m SW. The bigger the better really. It's primarily a slow left hand point break and on a good day longboard surfers can achieve rides of more than 500m, sometimes much more. It's not quite as good as it sounds because Raglan this is not. The shallow sandy sea bed makes for very soft surf that is prone to backing off. Surfers on shortboards struggle to make it through the softer sections of the wave and so they tend to congregate in the areas where the wave is steepest and kick off after relatively short rides.
Occasionally a big one will come through that stays steep all the way through to the inside and very occasionally the inside section can actually turn on a bit of power. More often than not, when a big set does arrive, you'll be way out of position. It can be a frustrating wave for a shortboarder but for longboarders it's really excellent.
There's usually quite a bit of current at Broughton so it needs some effort to stay in position. Long rides make for long and tiring paddle-outs and it sometimes makes more sense to get out of the water and walk back to the obvious little rocky point that provides a convenient jumping-off point at high tide.
When the tide drops too low for Broughton, as long as there is no west in the wind, consider Bluepool corner, another left point that is much more exposed to the wind but otherwise a steeper and bigger wave.
The setting is scenic enough, spoiled somewhat by caravans. Access is usually via the long narrow lane north from Llangennith village to a car park that is sometimes offers free parking. From here it is a short walk through a caravan park. Turn left onto the coast path once you can see the beach and after a little way scramble down onto the obvious jumping-off rock.
Located at the mouth of the estuary with the big industrial town of Llanelli upstream, it is hard to imagine that water quality is perfect. Even so, I am not aware of any health issues and although the estuary water is naturally muddy, I have never seen any obvious pollution.”
webmaster from UNITED KINGDOM - 18 Mar 2010
Broughton Ratings
Overall: 2.0. Based on 2 votes and 1 review. Vote
Quality on a good day: 2.5(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 2.5(1: Broughton is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 3.0(1: Broughton is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Wales - Gower. 5: the best break in Wales - Gower). |
Difficulty Level: 2.0(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 2.0(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Broughton can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 4.0(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Broughton, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 3.0(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Broughton are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 2.0(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 3.0(1: Often too crowded. 5: Broughton is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 3.5(1: Getting to Broughton requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 3.0(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 3.0(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 2.0(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Broughton for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 3.0(1: Camping at Broughton is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 3.0(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Broughton is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 5.0(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 1.0(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Broughton, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 3.0(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Broughton where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
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