Boscombe Beach, Bournemouth, United Kingdom is an English break that presents a good opportunity for folks to get into the water under supervised conditions where conditions range from spectacular to blown out and temperatures range from frigid, snowy, and unsurvivable to a comfortable 65 F.
About The Break
This beach takes a swell from the Atlantic on it’s way through the English Channel, however it is protected by the cove in which it sits at the center. An artificial reef was designed and built at a forty-five degree angle to the coast in order to help direct swell from the west toward the substantially protected shoreline.
Lifeguards heavily regulate surfing parameters to about one hundred yards east and west of the pier due to strong current conditions at low tide. Swimmers are limited to the second hundred yards out from the pier. The artificial reef is well marked and lies several hundred yards east of the pier.
Winds can be high making windsurfing and kite surfing worth while alternatives to the traditional Hawaiian form.
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Amenities
There are a couple of restaurants along the shore line, public toilets, and several surf shops which offer rentals [Half day (4 hours) board or wetsuit rental for 20 pounds] and lessons. The beach is lined with changing huts, small rental apartments, and beach toy salesmen.
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The Vibe
Locals seem relaxed, friendly, and willing to share, spanning the whole gamut of the surfer attitude. (one Santa Cruz Surf Co. hat spotted on a local)
During the summer months, especially England’s holiday month of August, traffic is high as surf schools populate the waters, locals find the free time to be in the water at peak swell, and visitors take to the warm waters for other recreation.
Location
About 100 miles south-west from the center of London, directly west of the Isle of Wight, and directly north of, and across the channel from, the Peninsula of Cherbourg Octeville, in France.
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