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After a twenty year break, I'm heading to Devon with with friends for a long weekend surfing. We used to go to Newquay once or twice a year in the 90s but did spend a lot of that time doing things other than surfing.
So a couple of questions: will a 5/3 wetsuit suffice? What restaurants and pubs are any good - I've heard that booking in advance is needed for food? Is there any great variation in the surf hire shops and schools? Will I drown?
I've been doing some stretching and strengthening for the last two weeks and am currently doing the stw 100days challenge so I am not totally unprepared physically. Is there anything else I should be considering for the coming 2 weeks?
I've been down to Newquay in November twice and was fine in a good 3/2.
In fact I was in the North Sea last week for an two 2 hour sessions in the 3/2 - I think you'll be toasty in a 5/3!
I am in infrequent surfer and after that session my triceps were killing me! Waves were crap so I just went for absolutely everything to practice timing and pop. I think the explosive push up for the pop used muscles I've only felt after a big weekend riding at Inners/Golfie! Maybe practice pop ups with a focus on the arms and the pop? I use a carrymat or my board bag in the garden. We live 2 hours from the sea - I'll probably appear on that weird neighbours thread before long!
Autumn half-term is the last of the warm water, a 3/2 will be sufficient. Saunton is a more forgiving wave than Croyde and not so many kids and surf schools.
After recently 'discovering' Saunton and Croyde, I much much prefer it to Cornwall...
Cornwall esp Newquay just seems to be getting more crowded and judgemental, how good you are, what youre riding etc...
Saunton two weeks ago I spent 6 hours just cruising around on an 8ft hire shop foamy (surf forecast was crap - booked it in advance as thought it would be the only thing able to catch waves that day)...and loved it, uncrowded, everyone just having fun and the serios guys doing serious stuff in there own area - saunton is huge...
Downside the carp ark is tiny for such a huge beach - on good days it will be jam packed full by 11 and the queue can stretch back to braunton as they operate a one out one in process, I head to woolacombe and park in the nat trust carpark on these days.
Theres a couple of hire shops literally onthe beach, i used the one that you have to book in advance online and just collect - you can do this while standing n the shop too...good selction of boards really
Food theres one main cafe at saunton not cheap, not mega expensive but run out of chicken and chorizo pasties really early..!
Didnt really explore Croyde but IM heading back mid October will have a nose then...
I wear a 4/3 infiniti Ltd - quite poss the warmest suit on the planet a 5/3 will be plenty warm enough, poss too warm but it is chilling down, would also dig out some boots maybe...
5/3 will be very warm, the sea is at its warmest around this time of year. Food-wise I really rate Blue Groove in the centre of Croyde for breakfast. Never had to book, have always just turned up. Evening meals we tend to head to The Manor on the road towards Georgeham. I'll always stop for a pint in The Thatch but it's always busy at meal times.
If the past week is anything to go by, download the Safer Seas app, so you can check whether SW Water has been discharging raw sewage
Hobbs Bistro in Croyde always looks like it's been closed for about 6 years but is actually pretty decent 🤔
For food in Croyde ‘Blue Groove’ is my favourite place to eat in.
You can get pasties in the shop a few doors along that are quite nice.
Fish and Chips the place in the middle of Braunton is good.
Can’t offer any tips on surfing - the beaches are lovely at Croyde and Saunton though.
I prefer Putsborough to Croyde beach. More sheltered from the wind. Nicer cafe. More space.
thatch is nice, but busy. Billy buds is I think the same kitchen / people. Manor good as well. Never eaten in blue groove seems a bit flash.
if you want a posher meal the boozer In Georgeham is nice.
Woolacombe croyde area is one of my favourite places. Go and explore further north. Some of the smaller Combes are really interesting. Lee is a lovely harbour. Two good classic pubs in Mortehoe as well.
Wow is Blue Groove still going. Loved it 15 years ago
Putsborough offers some respite from a SW wind
<p style="text-align: left;">Must have been to Croyde 30+ times. Never been in Hobbs Bistro. Kings Arms is the pub in Georgeham. Only been in for a beer but the Sunday roasts coming out looked good.</p>
Know nothing about surfing, but a cracking carvery at the Williams Arms, Wrafton, Braunton, booking essential.
Also, 2nd Squires fish & Chip shop in Braunton too.
Food at Biffens kitchen is awesome, take away style food truck situated in ocean pitch campsite, pretty much opposite croyde beach, next to the national trust carpark
5/3 will be fine, but warm and slightly restrictive compared to 3/2 but all doable
will a 5/3 wetsuit suffice?
Just out if interest, if you think s 5/3 might not suffice in SW England just after summer, what would you plan to wear when it is actually cold?
10/8....?
In Woolacombe ATM, leaving tomorrow.
Bar Electric still going strong, decent food for not crazy money. Loads of hire shops. Meraki for fantastic coffee and breakfasts. Everywhere dog friendly if that matters.
Just out if interest, if you think s 5/3 might not suffice in SW England just after summer, what would you plan to wear when it is actually cold?
10/8….?
I didn't phrase that very well, what I should have said was, "will a 5/3 wetsuit suffice or do I need an analogue wetsuit?"
A 10/8 does sound toasty though.
Anyway, thanks to all for the tips.
Sunday roast in Georgeham requires a booking. Pretty good beer there too. Walk round Baggy Point, have a bite in the Putsborough cafe and back to Croyde via the short-cut through paths and fields. Putsborough surf is a bit less reliable than Saunton but a fantastic beach.
I use my 5/4/3 in the middle of winter. 3/2 at this time of year, Westward Ho is my favoured Kitesurf spot and the sea is really warm right now. Won’t start cooling down for a while yet.
So, I had a cracking weekend in Croyde, we were blessed with summer weather in October and a relatively big swell.Thanks to all who posted.
Here are some observations for future consideration:
- Croyde is a tiny village - not a small town as I had expected, there's not much more to it that hasn't been discussed above.
- Breakfast at the Blue Groove is great
- The best coffee I had, came from around the back of the shops in a van by the art studio
- Ralph's Surf Shop is a very helpful and friendly place where you can get advice and don't need to reserve online
- The pasties from the Old Cream Shop are delicious
- The break at Croyde is not for beginners. If you are learning, there are better places - Staunton or Putsborough are the adjacent beaches and have been recommended.
- Middle aged men with shaved heads think they're Kelly Slater. They are not.
- Under no circumstances order food from the Surf and Turf delivery.
It's a lovely village which has managed to retain it's character whilst catering for the surf tourism. You couldn't want for more from a weekend destination.
I kitesurfed Saunton on Saturday. 3/2mm would be fine for a few more weeks if the air temp is 12degrees and above, the water felt pretty warm. I was in my 5/3mm fir the first time this year, so either will work fine.
used to surf woolacombe and puts a bit when I lived in somerset. never really warmed to croyde.
IME, if it was on then it was was rammed and pretty aggy. too many local hero's
Your description fits Croyde well, it's a local hero venue I find, I lived down the road for 18years and it's always been a bit surf pro elitist, but like living in Peaslake is!
Saunton and Putsborough/Woolacombe are a better learning beach to surf on, more space about.
My favourite beach was Putsborough, it's further afield down the same road as Croyde so a bit isolated, has a cafe and a small (v tiny) surf shop.
You can do a proper windswept coastal walk to the left around to Baggy Point and eventually on to Croyde.
Or Woolacombe is the more touristy end, same beach just the other end 3 Miles away!
More going on there with a few campsites and hotels etc plus eateries
Such a variety of beaches in a small area you can't go wrong!
I'm very much a beginner at surfing despite surfing for over 15 years, albeit only 2 or 3 times a year! Absolutely love it and in terms of beaches to learn on I don't think you'll beat Saunton. Such a good beach. We often go down for a week in the summer, stay in Braunton but hire a beach hut at Saunton for the week and just live on the beach between dinner time and dusk. What a life...
Apologies for the thread hijack but…..
There’s a big wind farm being built off the North Devon coast ( good - this part is already approved )
The current proposed cable route comes ashore at saunton.
Saunton car park will be used as the main “site” for the 15 months - 2 year construction period.
between 1/2 and 2/3 of the parking area will be lost at saunton for this period(!!)
access to the main surfing peak by the rocks at the car park end will be restricted for some of this time (!!)
Locals are rightly concerned about access to the beach, heavy construction traffic for two years and the effect on tourism and related local business. In short, a beach that we all love and has become part of our physical and mental well-being could be off limits for a long time This will also have knock on effects on access, traffic and parking at the other beaches
The current planning application also takes the cable through the burrows which are an Atea of Outstanding Natural Beauty and an official Biosphere.
while everyone wants green energy and the development appears to try to Minimise there effects on the natural environment, there appears to be no recognition of the disruption to tourism and beach access for possibly nearly two years.
Full details here including planning app and the parish councils slides from a recent public meeting (the end of this details the perceived negative effects on the parish )
https://lovebraunton.org/latest-news/
If you visit Saunton please spare a minute to comment on the application if you can
Whilst we're talking about Croyde....has the 'lighthouse' from Grand Designs sold yet? I came down a few times a year every year since its been started, and have been amazed at the lack of progress every time I see it. I know it's 'finished and up for sale but was wondering if any locals on here know any more....or think it's worth about ten million quid?
I was just about to say watch out for the Grand Designs house. 7 million quid if you fancy it. The last sale fell through earlier this year, so grab a bargain.
I think the general feeling is a bit meh!
7 million is still a lot of money for a house here, as desirable as Croyde is for “living the move to the country” dream. <br /><br />I think people think it’s a monument to a man’s folly. Aesthetically I think people think it’s ok now it’s actually finished.
I don’t think anyone cares if it’s sold or not. It’s perceived as being something that will be bought by some millionaire to add to their many houses and be rarely used. It’s part of the little bubble of very rich people who have houses here but don’t really “live “ here like anyone else. See also the Dyson House & the other “grand design” builds at Saunton