Beach Faces:

South-east.

Best Wind Direction:

South-west, West, North-west.

Best Wind Direction For Waves:

South-west swell.

Not Good:

South-east, North.

Tide:

Quite a tidal range here. The waves are better on an incoming tide. If the swell is small then at high tide it is generally flat, other than the shorebreak which can get quite dumpy. The whole bay gets choppier at low tide.

What’s On The Bottom:

Sand, pebbles and a few small rocks.

Any Hazards:

Not really. The the wave gets pretty punchy towards the left of the bay as you look out and here it breaks onto small boulders.

Other Water Users:

Surfers, swimmers in the summer.

Suitability / Levels:

Horton is a great place to learn to wave ride. The bigger the swell gets the more experienced you have to be, but pick the right day and you can learn loads in the waves without getting too wiped out. If there is a swell running, then you need to be confident at timing your run and wobbling out over breaking waves. It is gusty as the wind wraps around the headland, but this in turn causes it to be cross offshore, making it great for wave riding. Often it is far windier out to sea than it is in the waves, so go for a bigger sail if planning to just play in the waves.

Wipeout Factor:

On a big day, very high. Getting out and coming in can all get a bit messy. However, a swim in to a long, sandy beach can only damage your ego.

Instruction:

None

Kit Hire:

None

Friendly Factor:

Not a busy place but some good local sailors and a few students from Swansea and Cardiff Uni Windsurf Clubs.

No Wind Alternatives:

Not a busy place but some good local sailors and a few students from Swansea and Cardiff Uni Windsurf Clubs.

Facilities:

Accommodation:

Carreglwyd Caravan and Camping Park at Port Eynon.
A spacious site for tents, motor homes and touring caravans with good facilities for surfers.
www.carreglwyd.com, [email protected]  Tel: 01792 390795 or Fax: 01792 390796.

Bank Farm Leisure Park in Horton, Tel: 01792 390228  or  01792 390452.

Highmead B&B in Overton, Port Eynon, Tel: 01792 390300.

Or try www.stayinwales.co.uk for more accomodation in the Gower.

Local Hotshots:

Justin, Fester, “Old Guy” Dave, Rich Ling and Matt Howard know this area like the back of their hand and will give you a lesson or two in wave riding. Advanced Intermediate Wave Riding Badge goes to Ian Clingan!

Local Knowledge / Secrets:

The waves are always best on an incoming low to mid tide. The most powerful section is to the left of the bay, and this can be fairly hollow. For flatter, less challenging conditions then look to the right of the bay. Port Eynon point gets huge, but in a confused way and is not really worth sailing.

Extra:

Alternative beaches: South-east, North and North-west winds provide really good conditions at Llangenith which is a famous wide open bay at the end of the Gower peninsular. It picks up the most swell, and with these winds it is best at low tide. Oxwich bay and Llangenith are better for jumping.

Live weather for the Gower: www.gowerlive.co.uk

How To Get There:

Take the M4 to Swansea then the M42. Turn off the M42 at junction 42 onto the A483. Continue towards the city centre. Staying on this road takes you to Swansea Bay and turns into the A4067. Keep on the road towards Mumbles. Just after a Texaco petrol station on the left, move into the right hand lane of the dual carriage way, and turn right at the traffic lights into Mayalls Rd (B4436).
Stay on this road, past Pennard, until you come to a T junction onto the South Gower Road (A4118). This road will take you all the way to Port Eynon. Just before reaching Port Eynon, take a left turn sign-post to Horton. Follow the road and take a right after a Caravan Park (again sign-post to Horton). Continue down the hill, keeping left to the one way system, and you will find the Horton car park at the bottom.

Report By:

Clyde Waite