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Tenby

A view of the fort at Castle Beach in summer time by Ceridwen Mardon.

This popular, picturesque seaside resort is home to three beaches - North, South and Castle beach.

Famed for it's golden sands, stag & hen weekends and Boxing Day swim - Tenby can also be a decent place to surf during the winter months.

For most of the year the seas around Tenby are completely calm and safe for swimming but large winter storms and the offshore winds can combine to produce large, hollow waves, especially at the South Beach.

The best surf is generally wherever the best sand banks are formed but in front of the cafe or down towards the old Napoleonic fort are normally good places to try.

Harry Cromwell blasting the lip in 2010

Harry Cromwell at Tenby South beach by Adie @ frames photography

Image by Adie @ frames photography

The water clarity and quality can be poor here in winter when sewer outflow pipes can discharge during periods of heavy rain, so something to watch out for.

Both the North and South Beach are sheltered from west and south westerly winds which are offshore here, so perfect if you're looking for somewhere to surf when the wind is onshore elsewhere.

If a large swell is running, you'll be greeted by some hefty barrels so it's not a place for beginners or intermediates.

Snapped boards are common here and the wave; although a beach break can be very powerful as it breaks in shallow water. You'll normally exit the water here after a surf with a wetsuit full of sand!

Local surfer bottom turning on a large set wave

Surfer at Tenby South beach by Adie @ frames photography

It's not uncommon to see local surfers pulling into sizeable barrels here as the wave holds up nicely in stiff offshore winds, making for some long tube rides.

If you don't live here then your chances of surfing this little gem are slim as this is only surfed a few times a year. 2010 however was a very good year with locals scoring six foot plus high waves on several occasions.

Castle Beach, around the corner can also be good and less crowded so worth a look but be aware of tide times as the sea comes in right up to the base of the cliffs here at high tide.

The North Beach is very sheltered and rarely gets big enough to surf. The wave is a right hander and breaks near the lifeboat hut towards the harbour wall but rarely gets above three feet in height.

Article written by Martin Aaron