northeast surfing spots

[donohue1001]

Lo people, I am pretty new to kayaking so hello to everyone on the forum. Where are the best places on the northeast coast to catch some waves. prefrably not killer waves as I am only a noob 8o

[Jim]

First off - if you aren't in a club, join one. There you will meet people who know your local spots and should be able to teach you safely (unfortunately all clubs are not equal in this respect).

South shields and Tynemouth can be good, just don't head out in stormy condiditions at first because both get kind of dumpy and not suitable for beginners (You can say the same about storm conditions anywhere I guess). Occasionally get aggro off boarders at Tynemouth (but not if you stay well clear, and as a noob I highly recommend staying clear of all other beach users - out of control kayaks are dangerous, although it is a long time since anyone has been killed by one), can't recall ever seeing boarders at South Shields but haven't been there as much. Don't go too close to the breakwater at South Shields, I think there can be a rip at that end (probably caused by the river). I know of other spots in the NE but haven't tried them.

JIM

[philwinchlineonenet]

Firstly Id Agree with everything Jim has said about joining a club, its far safer to surf with friends, its a good while since Ive surfed that far north myself but for a newbie stick to beach breaks, the coast around Bamborough is good, N of the castle is good in anything from E. South to Seahouses gives four miles of good breaks, no rips unless the swell is large.
A good place I used to visit when other places were smallish is Cresswell beach near Druridge bay (which can also be good)Also try Seaton Sluice GR332772 the road runs just behind the dunes and parking is fairly easy. You could also try Embleton Bay, even if theres no surf!
A fairly major problem in the NE used to be water quality, particularly at popular spots such as Saltburn (Cleveland), ear and stomach infections used to be fairly common. Maybe Jim knows more about the current state of play? All the above spots Ive mentioned are "clean" to my knowledge and suitable for beginners, given the above codicil.
but check with a local if possible, regarding any local anomaly's
Phil

[graeme]

Try this link to give you an idea of what the conditions may be like www.a1surf.com/surfcheck-hartlepool.html
I must say I have never surfed at hartlepool!!

[Jim]

Don't really know much about water quality, I reckon Northumbria in general should be fairly good (perhaps excepting Blyth). The Tyne itself has cleaned up considerably with salmon running again, so presumably the estuary (i.e. Tynemouth and South Shields) is pretty good, I think Tynemouth is rated by the EU bathing waters quality system (maybe search for EU water quality?). I'm not sure how polluted the Wear is these days, or the Tees. I reckon I've been a bit dodgy after using the barrage, and of course ICI are downstream and who knows what they sneak into the river - so maybe Hartlepool is less savoury? The NE is no longer the industrial giant it was which generally allows water quality to improve.

JIM