Boscombe Pier.

On a high tide in pretty much any wind and with the right swell ‘Bossy’ goes off. It provides nice wedgy shorey peaks which can be heavy and hold their shape. Lefts and rights on most southerly swells. The Pier provides shelter from strong SW winds and can get crowded at weekends.

Bournemouth Pier

Works the same as Boscombe but with longer rides. Offshore winds can funnel through Bourne Valley for very hollow waves, but this is rare. Again, sheltered from gales but very crowded.

Southbourne

Most of the time is a mellow beginners to intermediate wave, but on a large swell it’s a notorious shore dump known to break boards and limbs! It works mainly on a southwest swell but easterly swells can produce long, clean rides. On a solid swell outside banks begin to work on an old sea wall 400m from shore. No shelter from SW gales and not for the faint hearted.

Highcliffe

Is a sandy beach break which produces long rides on a good southwest groundswell but blows out easily. Ideal for beginners except at high tide when backwash from cliffs can be exciting.

Kimmeridge Bay

Outside of Bournemouth, Kimmeridge Bay is the locals’ “jewel in the crown”. There are three breaks here, all of which only work on a southwest groundswell with no wind or gentle offshores. Broad Bench is one of the best waves on the south coast. It breaks over a granite reef and is very fast and powerful with A-frame peaks breaking in very shallow water — not for the inexperienced. The Ledges is a smaller, fun wave breaking at intervals from the beach on ridges of rock. Again shallow water and can get crowded in good conditions. The Bay is a slower wave, but still fun.

Information kindly supplied by Bournemouth Surfing Centre.