Let’s face it – nowhere in the UK has the same quality waves as you can get in ocean surfing abroad, but that doesn’t mean we’ve got nothing. Hastings tends to be a bit hit and miss when you’re trying to catch a few, but it can happen on the right day and winter is definitely better for it than summer. It’s only because it’s a tad exposed and open that it can be difficult to get what you’re looking for, but trust me, when it comes, it comes good. On a good day, you can get 150-300 meter waves length wise, so perfect if you’re looking for something fairly steady to work on your basics with. And hey, it’s not that deep, so you can get out there and just enjoy yourself.
I say get down there and hit it up – unless you’re scared of the cold and you’re one of these pathetic summer-surfing-only types. Chicken.
Wind swells are more common than ground swells, and you’ve got to watch out for the locals (there’s some nutters in Hastings – I should know, I’m related to some of them!)
Just from popular opinion by the way, best wave direction in Hastings is from southwest. UK Surfing is very dependent on getting the right wave direction given our location, so don’t make the mistake of coming at this beach the other way, you’ll just end up paddling around and not getting much action.
But word to the wise: Watch out for rips and the local pollution. Sorry Hastings folks, but it’s true! Sometimes, your ocean is hella-dirty! Apart from that though, it’s a fairly good spot for all experience levels, and it’s especially quiet (usually empty) during the week, so if you can get down and surf before the weekend, do so. Though, that’s not to say it’s packed at the weekend of course, you’ll probably only see a few other guys out there at most.
UK Surfing still has plenty to offer. Looking forward to catching you there once the nights start drawing in!
