Beautiful Beaches Gain Top Awards blog post by the Visit Swansea Tourism Team

Beautiful Beaches Gain Top Awards

Gower beaches keep scooping up the awards and accolades!

Langland Bay, Gower

Keep Britain Tidy have just announced that the International Blue Flag Jury have again awarded our beaches with four Blue Flags, which will be proudly flown at each beach; Bracelet, Langland, Caswell and Port Eynon Bays.

The Blue Flag indicates that these beaches have excellent water quality and outstanding facilities that meet high European standards. This means that families and watersport fans can enjoy a clean and safe beach experience, to maximise their fun at the seaside.

Each of our Blue Flag beaches are also patrolled by RNLI lifeguards who ensure watersport enthusiasts and swimmers can use the beach together safely. And at Caswell Bay, only licensed Surf Schools can use the beach to ensure high safety standards are maintained.

Simon Jayham of Surf GSD who is licensed to operate at Caswell Bay said, 'this is an excellent Swansea Council initiative as only properly accredited Surf Schools use this popular beach, ensuring the safety of all users. We are delighted to be the first licensed Surf School at Caswell Bay.'

Steve Hopkins, Tourism Manager, Swansea Council said, 'awards and high safety standards, coupled with our outstanding scenery make our beaches a draw for visitors, this is especially important in 2012 as our coastline is in the spotlight with the opening of the Wales Coast Path this month. And we have a consistent reputation for safe, beautiful beaches for walking, watersports, and family fun.'

 

Book surfing lessons now for the half term holidays, active kids sleep well at night!

Rain or shine we will be running our famous junior surfing academy at Caswell bay, near Mumbles, we provide winter warmth wetsuits to keep you toasty and it is all part of the price. SurfGSD recently featured on the Visit Wales TV advert is the only surf school allowed to operate with the necessary permission at Caswell bay. 

We are Surfing GB approved and City & County of Swansea licensed.

For more info on the junior surf sessions click here > Junior surfing FAQ's for Caswell Bay

 

A mixed bag forecast but last week of May currently looking good for surf & maybe sun!!

Stay positive, I know it is hard to do with grim weather, but the last few days have been lush and despite the lack of surf has been what most of us needed.

The long range forecast is a mixed bag of the same until towards the end of May and it should all be very good.. just keep those positive thoughts! Here is the 16 day forecast

To book your surfing trip either txt for last minute 077 395 361 22 or book online > surf lessons

The weather is crap but our customers are still having loads of fun!

We are all struggling to recall what the sun and blue skies look like, but, you know what we are making the most of it. Still in our winter wetsuits and boots the customers have been reaping the rewards of empty beaches to themselves.

'The worst bit is getting changed once your in the water the fun starts..' said one of the lads from Brum yesterday. After the arvo session was finished the adults only session started arriving after work and to be honest the weather was even worse.

As we all got back into our wetsuits you could see passers by giving us that look, you know the one > 'you are mental !' 

The weather in the Uk can drive you mental, but, dont let it, start surfing and make the most of the empty beaches it has to be the greatest way to get rid of stress.

Last minute surfing lessons TXT 077 395 361 22 or book online via our surfshop

Images of classic big wave riders with thanks to Sonic Editions

Sonic Editions unveils new images from iconic Surf photographer; Grant Rohloff

Sonic Editions, the online retailer that specialises in affordable limited edition photography, has curated a unique collection of inspirational photographs ideal for any fanatical surfer. The hand framed, professional prints capture surfing at its purist.

The series features a number of iconic images of some of the most influential surfers of the past fifty years, as shot by Grant Rohloff at such iconic locations as Waimea Bay and more.

Sonic Editions uses its substantial archive to democratise art, making rarely seen images affordable and accessible for the first time.

  For more info go 2 > Sonic editions website

 

It's getting warmer, honestly!

Ten days ago customers were still wearing full gear as can see above, however the air temp has gone up with the change in wind direction and we even had some sun today which was a bonus.

Looking at the long range charts it does look like the current pattern is starting to break down so let us all hope for warmer weather and the odd day of sun. Not much to ask for is it?

 

Fathoms, Mullaghmore head on a day of solid surf

 

Northcore Europe are pleased to announce the UK premier screening date and venue of their most recent short film “Fathoms Left To Fall”. The evening showing of the film will take place at “Rock Up” the first of its kind surf movie event projecting films onto a massive white cliff face at Rottingdean near Brighton.

Northcore spokesman said of the event “It's a real privilege to have our film invited to be included in the line up of surf movies at the “Rock Up” event. The cliff face setting will hopefully be the perfect backdrop offering some scale for the waves which were filmed at Mullaghmore head on a day of surf with wave faces reaching 50ft”

“Fathoms Left To Fall” is a short story which was captured during one day of epic surf on March 08^th 2012 at Mullaghmore head, Co Sligo Ireland. It features the Northcore Surf team Ambassador Richie Fitzgerald and highlights the raw environment of one of the brands product testing grounds. 

“Rock Up” is being hosted by Tribal Wave who have created a unique showcasing of local surf cinematography to be projected up on the rock face at Rottingdeans Undercliff walk on 19^th May 2012 at 21.00. The event is part of The Brighton Fringe Festival of visual arts. Theresa £3.00 donation on the night with a percentage being donated to help and support the charities of SAS, The Museum of British Surfing & The Blue Climate Project.

For more information visit:

www.northcore-europe.com

www.brightonfringe.org

 

How safe is your camper.....? Written by Scampervanhire

How safe is your camper.....?

SAFETY FIRST: That's our motto here at Scamper base-camp, which is why we go that extra mile to ensure that your holiday is safe and enjoyable for all the family.
At Scampervanhire we work closely with our local expert mechanics who frequently service and checkour fleet to ensure reliability and safety.
All our Scampervans are Gas Certified twice a year at an NCC approved workshop and have CarbonMonoxide alarms fitted as standard. Fire Extinguishers & Fire Blankets are also installed with comprehensive instructions on how to operate in an emergency.

Although Scampervanhire cherish the original interiors and the ambiance that is created, this is never at the expense of safety. All foam is replaced to meet the current Fire Retardant regulations and fabrics are sympathetically selected to ensure they also comply whilst still delivering an attractive and comfortable living and sleeping environment.

Before every hire we even put them through an inspection with an Independent Chartered Engineer to be certain that you are given a safe and reliable holiday home on wheels for your cherished adventure.This pre-hire independent inspection involves a thorough check of the tyres, brakes, steering, suspension,lights, interior, seat belts, engine, cooling system, fuel system, exhaust, transmission & clutch, gear box,drive shaft, electrics & battery, instruments, ancillaries and under body.

It then undergoes a road test and the vehicle exterior is inspected for any dents , scratches, chips or corrosion. Even the tread depths and air pressure levels are noted.The independent inspector will then advise if any work needs to be carried out pre-hire and advises if he is satisfied that the vehicle is safe for hire.His report is then shown to the hirer during collection.

At Base Camp we'll spend a good hour on hand-over to ensure that your comfortable with how to workthe appliances, and drive the classic vehicle, and for extra support we've included VW manuals and Scampervan manuals inside each van.

They give a comprehensive and photographic guide on driving and caring for the vehicle, and operating all equipment.And if you're still unsure then we're always available at the end of the phone for guidance and advice!
At Scampervanhire we selected the VW T25 model due to it’s exta space - 5 inches longer and 2.5inches wider, with the spare wheel secured under the front cab (rather than inside the vehicle) the T25has more usable internal space, and is naturally more stable to drive.All our Scampervans have permanent high-top roofs which are fully insulated and carpet lined for warmth,allowing even more space for additional lodgings or storage.

Their water-cooled engines are safer and generally more reliable than the traditional air-cooled campers,and they're more powerful whilst still retaining that sought-after VW purrrrrrr!

With an improved ride and handling, reduced turning circle, improved suspension, and even a Porsche engine in some limited versions, it's hard to imagine why this diamond in the rough has been so overlooked in the past!We believe that the T25 is a real gem, just ready and waiting to take you on your Scampervan adventure!

Contact us Scampervan Adventure

 

After school surfing has started back and the adult after work sessions start this week at Caswell Bay

Spring has sprung and last night a big westerly blow has produced fun waves for our adult after work surfers at Caswell Bay, near Mumbles.

It is a great way to end the day, unwind and relax then go for a relaxing drink afterwards. We provide all the surf equipment so all you need do is turn up in your suit and then get into one of ours!

For more info on after skool or work surfing sessions please contact us > contact the surf school

 

It is easy to book simply visit our online surf shop >ShopGSD  or if it is last minute then simply txt us and we will get back to you. > 077 395 361 22 (Txt only)

As you can see from most of our images, our coaches wear white ID vests and the customers wear red, also seen on this fantastic tv advert by Visit Wales

 

Stag do surfing indoors or outdoors your choice here in Swansea

Above a group from London enjoying the waves and day out at Caswell Bay, Swansea.

A few weekends ago we had another group visit us and they opted for the indoor surfing with us and had a great time here is the feedback from them >  'it was the highlight of the weekend. it broke up the day from drinking but allowed us to chilled out in the pool for the best hang over cure. gave us all the chance to properly catch up and exchange stories.'

Surfing is a great teambuilding activity and as mentioned on several times to us it keeps you out of the pub for a few hours!

To book your stag do surfing simply click here > stag do surfing or contact us > contact surf school