Gower surfing beach locations that we use for our learn to surf lessons

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Gower surfing beaches we Use

GSD uses two beaches on Gower, South West Wales. For Gower we try to pick the best beach to help progress the surfing development process. Therefore we ask customers to check in 4 days prior with us by email ot TXT to find out which beach to meet us on.

Caswell Beach (Mainly during colder months/days and when the surf is too big at Llangennith beach).

Caswell Beach on Google Maps. [51°34'6.56"N :: 4° 1'50.77"W]

This is a great beach to learn at due to its safe sloping sandy beach, beach rescue patrol and location close to Mumbles. We use this beach when the surf is too big at Llangennith.We have a GSD changing hut here on the beach at Caswell.

Llangennith Beach (When the surf is too small at Caswell beach).

Llangennith Beach on Google Maps. [51°37'21.25"N :: 4°16'34.20"W]

At Llangennith you need to drive into and through the famous Hillend campsite, we always park our large white mini-bus with GSD all over it down by the bottom car park near the beach access. This is near the coastguard phone.

Directions to Llangennith beach from the M4

It takes 30 minutes to get to Llangennith from junction 47 on a quiet day. If it is a hot weekend day, the roads will be busy so please allow twice this time.

NB Dont turn off on any other junction apart from junction 47. If you take an earlier turning and go through Swansea you will add at least half an hour to your journey time.

Exit the M4 at Junction 47. Take the A483 towards Swansea. At the next roundabout take the A484 towards Gowerton. Go straight over the next roundabout towards Gowerton. At the next roundabout take the B4296 towards Gowerton. At the next traffic lights turn right on the B4295 towards Penclawdd. Stay on this Road (approx. 10 Miles) through Penclawdd, Llanrhidian, Bury Green without turning off. Drop down the hill into Llangennith, past the Kings Head Pub to a mini roundabout. Turn left towards Hillend Camp Site. At the entrance of the caravan site head towards the camping field. Drive past the entrance to the camping field and head straight down towards the sand dunes, our large surfgsd van will be parked down near the bottom car park, the emergency txt only mobile number is 07739536122 if you are running late click here to see images of the GSD vans

Directions From Swansea/Mumbles to Llangennith beach It takes 30 minutes to get to Llangennith from town on a quiet day. If it is a hot weekend day, the roads will be busy so please allow twice this time.

If you are on the Mumbles road (A4067).

If you are coming from Mumbles the sea should be on your right and turn left at the lights by the boating lake up past Singleton hospital.

If you are coming from Swansea the sea should be on your left and turn right at the lights by the boating lake up past Singleton hospital.

After ½ mile turn right at the mini roundabout. After 200M go straight through the traffic lights. After 200M as the road meets another road turn left. After ½ mile go straight over two mini roundabouts (passing the school I teach at on your left by the way). After 1 mile turn left at the mini roundabout. Drop down the hill and back up the other side and after 1 mile the you cross a cattle grid onto common land. 100M after the cattle grid turn right onto the B4271. Continue on this road for approx 5 miles until the road joins another road at Llanrhidian (Esso petrol station on your right). Turn left and stay on this road through Bury Green. After approximately 4 miles with ever narrowing roads drop down the hill into Llangennith, past the Kings Head Pub to a mini roundabout. Turn left towards Hillend Camp Site. Drive past the entrance to the camping field and head straight down towards the sand dunes, our large surfgsd van will be parked down near the bottom car park, the emergency txt only mobile number is 07739536122 if you are running late click here to see images of the GSD vans

Gower Surf School-surfing lessons and surf hire equipment all year round

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are your instructors and surf school qualified and approved ?

GSD is the only 4 star British surfing Association surf school in Wales. This is the highest award possible for a surf school. 7 of GSD's instructors are members of Mumbles Surf Lifesaving Club, training on a weekly basis and they compete at regional and national lifeguarding contests. Mumbles SLC is currently the top club in Wales and one of the best in the Uk. All the instructors are also surfers, qualified by the B.S.A and SLSA. GSD is inspected by the Local council, Welsh Tourist Board, The BSA and Swansea Institute. GSD prides itself on being the best surf course provider due to its staff and safety record.

I am coming on a stag weekend and we are surfing in the afternoon is it ok if we have a few beers before we come to meet you ?

No, sorry we do not accept anyone whom has been drinking beer. We suggest you choose to do something fun and healthy first then go to the pub to celebrate after. Nothing like a cold one after a hard days surfing.

What do I need to bring ?

The cost of the course includes the use of a surfboard and wetsuit. If you have your own bring it along, however the cost of course stays the same. Please bring along a towel and some warm gear to wear. We also recommend high factor sun cream and in some case total sun block. Even on cloudy days the face can burn.

Are the courses suitable if I am not a strong swimmer ?

It is a B.S.A. rule that all participants must be able to swim 50 meters. The beginner surf sessions stay in waist depth of water, so you do not have to be an olympic swimmer. The great thing about this session is everyone has fun at their own pace.

What happens if the surf gets to rough ?

Here at GSD we constantly monitor the weather and surf forecasts along with liasing with beach rescue and the local coastguard. Gower, is fortunate enough to have several safe surf beaches which face in different directions and therefore suitable for safe satisfying surfing.

What happens if there is no surf ?

Flat periods are experienced all around the world, and generally the worst period for no waves is the summer. Which is a shame for us surfers as the days are long and the water warm. However, in the summer we do get consistant small surf and this is perfect to learn in and also train in. If however the conditions are deamed unsuitable GSD will credit you with any lessons missed due to conditions within a one year period. Most of the time however we can offer alternative water activities and surf fitness training that will help the development of your surfing.

What time do courses start ?

We run 4 sessions a day in the summer months some starting at dawn. The morning session starts around 10.30 a.m and the afternoon session starts around 2.00 p.m. Obviously this is dependant on the tide and surf for each particular day. We ask that customers arrive at meeting point about 20 minutes prior to session start time.

What does it take to be a 4 star B.S.A surf school ?

The British Surfing Associations Approved Surfing Schools Scheme was introduced in 1990 to help the public obtain better value for money and greater safety whilst being taught to surf.

ABOUT THE AWARD LEVELS
Each BSA Surf School is a designated level of qualification depending on
a) The qualifications of the instructors.
b) The coaching resources they offer.
c) The types of surfing courses the school is qualified to offer.

The Levels

BSA 1
- Provide recreational 'starter-beginner' to 'lower improver' surfing courses.
- Coaches are qualified level 1+ at least 1 qualified @ level 2

BSA 2
- Provide Level 1 Programmes.
- Provide recreational Higher ability surfing from 'higher improver' to 'intermediate' level courses.
- Coaches are qualified levels 1-2.

BSA 3
- Provide Level 1-2 Programmes.
- Provide 'contest & competitive surfer training + recriational 'advanced surfer' programmes.
- Coaches are qualified levels 1-3.

BSA 4 (Which surfGSD is)
- Provide Level 1-3 Programmes.
- Provide a local 'community resource' programme ( = 'kids, grommet and cadets' clubs etc).
- Provide an, 'advanced surfing' development programme for elite squad traini