Tuesday and Wednesday
Flat surf on Tuesday then 2-3 foot (0.6-0.9m) surf on Wednesday. Nice and clean too, thanks to the lightness of the breeze, which will also make it great for sea swims. Tides will be high around breakfast time and dusk (the new moon yielding a whopping 9.1m in the mornings and 9.4m in the evenings). Low tides will be in the early afternoons.
Thursday and Friday
High tides will be in the mid-mornings, 9m on Thursday and 8.7m on Friday. Low tides in the late afternoons. The wind will probably be light enough to call the surf clean at all times… 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9m) on Thursday, then 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6m) on Friday.
The Weekend
Tides will be low around dawn and dinner time. The highs will be about 8.3m at 11:30am Saturday, then 7.9m at 12:20pm Sunday. Surfers might get to enjoy some clean 1-2 foot (0.3-0.6m) longboard waves on Saturday, but I’m afraid that Sunday currently looks likely to be flat.
Beach etiquette
The sea and the beach belong to the earth (and the fish.)
Everyone has a right to use it. Nobody is more entitled than anyone else. Do so respectfully of all those around you.
Respect the environment. Take your litter home. Park considerately. Drive cautiously. Be aware of others (especially residents) in how you use the area.
All beaches have clear guidance at their entrances about safety and conditions on the beach and in the water. Be sure to read these.
Most beaches have zoned areas indicating where different usages and watersports are allowed.
Do not swim in the surf zones. Do not surf in the swim zones.
Vazon Bay is the beginner's beach. It has an area specifically reserved for novice surfers (north of the central steps; behind the restaurant). It's where the surf school is.
The reef at Vazon is mostly for experienced surfers. Most other breaks in Guernsey are unsuitable for novices.
Surf etiquette
All surfers should learn and follow these simple rules to maximise everyone's enjoyment of the water together!
- Right of way: nearest the break has right of way
- Don't drop in: if someone's on the wave, wait for another
- Paddle sensibly: paddle out through the foam out of the way of others on waves
- Hold on to your board (aka: don't ditch): your board is your lifeline but also a massive liability; hold on to it at all costs and for the safety of yourself and of others around you
- Don't snake (aka: don't steal position) - wait your turn!
- Avoid packed lineups: if a take-off is already crowded, don't make it worse. Find a different take-off
- Share the waves: there's plenty to go round
- Be humble and kind: if you make a mistake, apologise. Be gracious if you're the recipient of that.
- Novices: respect the experienced surfers around you. They can help you get better.
- Old guys: be tolerant of novices. Share your wisdom. You were a beginner once.
Did you know?
There is a 50-year old legal requirement to have third party insurance to go longboarding in Guernsey!
A longboard is defined as 'a board used for the purpose of riding the surf measuring more than five feet in length along a horizontal plane between the two most distant extremities of the board'!
No mention of paddleboards, kitesurfing, windsurfing or kayaks though!