Can I surf at Westward Ho!?
Westward Ho! is one of North Devon’s best surf spots, where clear consistent conditions and a sandy, gently sloping shore makes it ideal for surfers of all levels. There are a number of surf schools and shops near the beach, offering equipment hire and lessons if you need a little guidance to catch your first wave. Unlike many beaches along the coast, where rocks and difficult access limit when it is possible to surf, the long, sandy beach at Westward Ho! makes it possible to surf at any stage of the tide, with loads of space for beginners to get to grips with this exhilarating sport. And it is manned by lifeguards from May to September, so many consider it to be one of the safest surfing beaches in Devon.
As this beach break is exposed, it is also a great destination for kite-sports. It does pick up a lot of swells, the waves can be large, and you’ll find when the wind blows in any westerly direction, the ocean then becomes alive with kite-surfers and windsurfers. There’s even a dedicated kite surfing area, just 200m north of the Burrows/Sandymere lifeguard hut, and its own annual Festival of Kites. Whatever your sport, just remember at low tide, it can be a very long walk to the water’s edge,which can offer a good workout in itself.
