HAZARDS:
Was polluted, new storm water tanks should help
AVERAGE WATER
TEMPS: 7° - 15°
DIFFICULTY:
beginner
RATING:
3/5
Definitely not the best place to surf on the island. Compton is a better bet. Shanklin rarely works but when it does it can be worthwhile. Usually best around mid-high tide.
Shanklin doesn't break that often but when it does it is usually quite hollow. There are a few different waves along this beach with Hope beach being the most popular, but there is also a few other waves just to the south and these can get really hollow when the conditions are right. There is a group of us that have named one wave "hollow beach" because it is hollow on any type of swell and can give you some super sucky barrels. Shanklin can break on wind swell from the northeast right round to the southwest and it can also break on HUGE southwest ground swells but this is rare. It can get crowded when it is good.
Great for beginners. I have lessons at a company on Hope Beach, Wight Water, and its excellent not regular decent waves Compton is a bit better but be careful because my board is recked cos of rocks instead of sand when you beach the board :( Shanklin is all sand so no probs there :)
coldswell.com