Wales is a long way from Brisbane… a damn sight further than the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast, and yet, it is a beach in Wales where I have first set foot on a surfboard (albeit for a only a few seconds at a time).
I first surfing attempt was at a small beach called Caswell Bay near to Mumbles (great name isn’t it!), a charming little beachside town about 5 miles from Swansea. The weather did not look promising. All week the Met Office forecast heavy rain and wind, and even as we drove from London on Friday night through heavy rain, weekend forecast was that same with the addition of flooding added for South Wales.
In true style for UK weather, Saturday dawned slightly cloudy, but dry and with only a light breeze. In fact the sun showed its face several times in the early afternoon. So, we headed for the beach.
As the trip had been arranged by one of my work-mates, we had a fair contingent present from the office; including 2 Directors, one of them being my boss. We all donned wetsuits as our instructor gave us a chat about the basics and then picked up our boards and fumbled our way out into the waves.
Again, the vagaries of British weather blessed us and we faced a 3-4 foot swell, very little wind, no sweep and a water temperature which was surprisingly bearable (although without a wetsuit it may have tested the endurance) which was just perfect as we were all of beginner standard.
Half an hour in and pretty much all of us had managed to get to our feet in some manner and after 2 hours we were looking quite… well… still like beginners really. We were having a ball, but starting to feel a tad weary. There is a surprising amount of effort needed. Not just in paddling out but in lifting yourself to your feet off the board. As I write this I am rather sore across the back of my arms.
And so, feeling satisfied, but tired, we retired to the pub for lunch and a pint or 2.
The following day dawned with even better weather than Saturday, unfortunately that meant there was no swell at all, so surfing was out, and while some of the group decided a swim would be in order (without wetsuits!) I decided on a more cosy way of passing the time and visited the local, cold, damp and crumbling castle. Oystermouth Castle sits on a hill overlooking the town. It’s not the world’s largest castle but for a huge entry fee of £1 you get to scamper over the ruins and take in the view of the town and bay.
The views are worth looking at. The Welsh coastline is striking. Small bays with sandy beaches and harsh rocky cliffs topped with emerald green fields forests. Next time, along with a spot more surfing, I think a bit of hiking is in order…
I first surfing attempt was at a small beach called Caswell Bay near to Mumbles (great name isn’t it!), a charming little beachside town about 5 miles from Swansea. The weather did not look promising. All week the Met Office forecast heavy rain and wind, and even as we drove from London on Friday night through heavy rain, weekend forecast was that same with the addition of flooding added for South Wales.
In true style for UK weather, Saturday dawned slightly cloudy, but dry and with only a light breeze. In fact the sun showed its face several times in the early afternoon. So, we headed for the beach.As the trip had been arranged by one of my work-mates, we had a fair contingent present from the office; including 2 Directors, one of them being my boss. We all donned wetsuits as our instructor gave us a chat about the basics and then picked up our boards and fumbled our way out into the waves.
Again, the vagaries of British weather blessed us and we faced a 3-4 foot swell, very little wind, no sweep and a water temperature which was surprisingly bearable (although without a wetsuit it may have tested the endurance) which was just perfect as we were all of beginner standard.
Half an hour in and pretty much all of us had managed to get to our feet in some manner and after 2 hours we were looking quite… well… still like beginners really. We were having a ball, but starting to feel a tad weary. There is a surprising amount of effort needed. Not just in paddling out but in lifting yourself to your feet off the board. As I write this I am rather sore across the back of my arms.
And so, feeling satisfied, but tired, we retired to the pub for lunch and a pint or 2.
The following day dawned with even better weather than Saturday, unfortunately that meant there was no swell at all, so surfing was out, and while some of the group decided a swim would be in order (without wetsuits!) I decided on a more cosy way of passing the time and visited the local, cold, damp and crumbling castle. Oystermouth Castle sits on a hill overlooking the town. It’s not the world’s largest castle but for a huge entry fee of £1 you get to scamper over the ruins and take in the view of the town and bay.
The views are worth looking at. The Welsh coastline is striking. Small bays with sandy beaches and harsh rocky cliffs topped with emerald green fields forests. Next time, along with a spot more surfing, I think a bit of hiking is in order… 
1 comment:
Cousin Patty (Sister Andrina) has just read some of your blog with us! I have given her the address, so it will also be read in Rockhampton now. She congratulates you on your presentation and is sorry she missed seeing you.
We've had a lovely couple of days together and hope she will stay longer next time (now she has semi-retired!!!) Luv from all of us xx
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