Contents
Cornwall'98 Waterside Guide
Bodyboarding in North Cornwall
Crooklets - At high tide there can be an excellent hollow shorebreak which is good for bodyboarding.
Trebarwith Strand - At low tide at the south end of the beach there is a left hand wedge which can get hollow and is a very good bodyboarding wave.
Harlyn Bay - At low tide "The Rock" is a popular bodyboarding right hander at the west end of the beach. Does get dangerously shallow as the wave sucks off the rock reef, though.
Constantine Bay - High tide is best for bodyboarding, except when the low tide reef at the south end of the beach is working. High tide offers a fast, hollow shorebreak, but it can be ruined by backwash when the tide is too high.
Watergate Bay - Good for bodyboarding or any size swell but watch out for rips which nearly always push you up the beach.
Newquay Bay - Tolcarne Wedge, a high tide cross wave at the south end of the beach, is the most famous body boarding wave in Britain. Only works on 6m - plus high tide and a good size swell (3ft plus). Very crowded when it works. A fast take off and air section are reasons for its popularity with bodyboarders. Spectacular to watch when good. Another spectacular phenomenon happens occasionally at Towan on high spring tides combined with a huge swell: Towan Backwash. Waves bounce off the sea wall and lift the oncoming wave, causing an explosion of foam and spray. Bodyboarders only can ride it, launching them 10-15ft in the air. Not for the fainthearted or inexperienced.
Fistral Beach - At the very north end of the beach, Little Fistral is a fine bodyboarding wave, hollow and big. North Fistral's crowd puts off most bodyboarders, but it can be excellent if you don't mind being hassled. At low-mid tide South Fistral has a fine left hand wedge and in summer an excellent high tide shore breaks. Crowds generally a bit more friendly this end.
Crantock Beach - Shallow mid-low tide wedging shorebreak for bodyboarding if you like closeout barrels. Experienced bodyboarders only.
Perran Sands - At the south end of the beach Droskyn is hollow wedging left hander ideal for bodyboarders at low tides only.
Chapel Porth - Bodyboarders aren't very welcome here by the locals, so keep a low profile when bodyboarding this sometimes classic spot.
Porthtowan Beach - Very popular with bodyboarders from the surrounding area, especially at low tide, when Lushington, the break in front of the rocks at the south end of beach, is on. It's a fast and hollow left and right peak.
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