I went there in the summer and counted 24 bodyboards out and only 6 stand ups. Disappointing crowds and attitude but can be big and gnarly on an easterly, not a ground swell spot though.
Bournemouth Pier is a super crowded wave, I once counted over 80 people on the one and only peak. It holds a poor wave in a southwest gale wind and the swells drops very quickly. It can have a very disrespectful crowd that are best avoided.
Hey guys come on its not that bad, you probably went in the summer, any way the waves should pick up soon as they could be building an artificial reef there.
Normally pretty poor and crowded but I have had a couple of good sessions there. It does have ok days and crowds aren't too bad if you get a midweek, midday, winter session. Crap surf is better than no surf... ask the Swiss!
What is it with you lot! Were you not all beginners once? I've been surfing for years and always encourage people new to it to have a go and get hooked. What makes you think that you 'own' a wave? Drop the phoney attitude, dissing people that maybe can't surf as well as you 'yet' does not make you a better surfer! There is always surfers better than you, and if they handed down the same vibe what a miserable place the sea would be. That 'locals' attitude! You're missing the point of what it's all about. The break was there before you, and will be there long after you.
Lets enjoy surfing for everyone.
Mmmm that's a bit rich lads. Bodyboarders dropping in??? If we did that we'd get sliced up with your razor sharp 6'4 thrusters!! Normally it's the other way round - standup dudes dropping in on fishfood riders!!! Bournemouth Pier does get fantastic surf on an easterly swell on the west side of the pier. Local standout Terry Crump was giving the headhigh sets some serious treatment last weekend!
Bournemouth Pier can provide a good clean wave when places like Southbourne are closing out or are just to heavy to ride. It works best in the Autumn months. Beware of crowds and bodyboards.
Bournemouth is the best place locally to learn to surf. When its got a wave its pretty busy though and there are lots of bodyboarders that drop in on your wave.
Bournemouth and its surrounding areas is an OK place to go if you're too far away from the 'real-deal' (west country). It has its occasional day (check: bournemouth-surfing.co.uk), and is nice to get the constant inland depression out of your head.
I've got to say I've never really had a problem with body boarders dropping in, maybe in the summer but thats not what it's about. What it is about is big 8-10ft swells hitting K bay blown out by gale force south westerlys, then as the wind eases and turns westerly (cross off) the east side fires! At high tide it can have good long rights and a very hollow wedgy left into the pier at high tide.
Fair enough, like anywhere Bournemouth it has its good days - but in general it is pretty shite. The worst and most hated factor are the crowds - at weekends they constantly mess up a fun session and make the place hazardous and almost unsurfble. The standard of people surfing the pier is generally pretty poor as surfing has become a trendy fashion. It is a pick up line for most of the posers, however, there is a hardcore bunch which deserve bigging up, they know who they are so give 'em respect strangers!!!
Possibly the worst surf spot north of antarctica. Piss poor waves dribble around a rickety and woodworm infested pier and despite regular howling onshores is still weaker than a small malnourished african child. Do not ever go there ever. The so called "hard core" locals can't surf for shit!
Being a local it's OK but I get pissed off with everyone slagging spongers. More often it's try hard standups with dodgy poo stances or portaloos (canoes) that drop in. Want to surf the pier? Respect the locals (there are some) and we'll respect you!!
What is up with you people who slag off the mouth, your surfing in the cleanest waters in the country,the locals dont like outsiders but if you respect us we'll respect you.Bournemouth aint great but its better than alot of places.
Bournemouth pier is great. However it regularly gets invaded by pretty boys who can't surf for shit and get cold willies. Perhaps they should stick to sports like water polo, croquet or extreme chess!?????
coldswell.com