Morning folks. The swell is on the up and I imagine a great many of you will be checking out web cams to see which break is working best. It wasn't like this when I were a lad but life moves on and progress is, often enough, A Good Thing. Here, then, courtesy of North Cornwall luxury cottages specialists Latitude50.co.uk, is a guide to five of the county's best web cams.
Surfing is big news in Cornwall, with many great surf beaches all around the coast catching excellent Atlantic swells all year round. Gone are the days too of having to guess which beach will be getting the best waves. These days there are much better methods to find out where to head to once you’ve got your board and wetsuit in the car – and by far the best way is to have a look at a surf web cam. Many beaches around the coast have caught on to the fact that they are helping you out by hooking one up, so take a look at our list of five popular web cams on the Cornish circuit and you’ll be riding those waves before you know it …
1. Polzeath
Polzeath has a lovely beach and the waves are consistent, slow and great for beginner to intermediate surfers. There’s a good surf shop on the beach too, which is really useful if you need surf supplies and there are a handful of good cafes and bar within spitting distance. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Polzeath then check out the great selection of Polzeath holiday cottages available.
2. Praa Sands
Praa Sands provides a wave that is fast, tubular and very good when it’s on, so of course this makes it a very popular spot. The web cam situated at the beach café gives a good clear picture, so you will be able to see exactly when it’s working best. The beach has a bar and a café, so is perfect for chilling out after you’ve got your wave.
3. Porthtowan
This is an ideal wave for the more advanced surfer, as it’s powerful, big and consistent when it’s working. There are some strong rips here too, which make it less suitable for beginners. The Blue Bar on the beach is a favourite with the local surf crowd and provides reasonable food, cold beer and some good music nights.
4. Fistral
This is a very popular surf beach in the north coast town of Newquay. It’s a nice beach break wave that is occasionally exceptional. Annual surf competitions are held here and you’re sure to find plenty of places to hang out afterwards if you want to soak up the atmosphere.
5. Perranporth
Perranporth boasts a friendly wave that is ideal for all levels of surfers. It works best at low tide, so make sure to check the tide charts as well as taking a look at the web cam. There are a handful of great cafes within reach of the beach and a spectacular millennium sundial on top of the cliffs overlooking the sea - well worth a look if you’re there.
This guest article on Cornwall's best surf webcams was brought to you by North Cornwall luxury cottages specialists Latitude50.co.uk. Image sourced from www.photobrookphotography.com