The Cribbar
The Cribbar is England's answer to big wave surfing--a monstrous reef that lurks off Towan Head in Newquay, only awakening when massive Atlantic storms send long-period groundswell crashing into the Cornish coast. It breaks a handful of times per year at best.
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Strike Score Breakdown
Location & Conditions
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Spot Details
Swell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WSW (250°)
- Direction range
- 225° - 280°
- Size range
- 4.5m - 15m
- Ideal size
- 9.7m
- Height multiplier
- 1.08×
- Ideal period
- 18s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SE (135°)
- Offshore range
- 90° - 180°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low
Water temp
13°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
10/10
Crowd level
1/10
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Mar
Breaks a handful of times per year during major storms
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Fistral Beach
England's surfing capital - Year-round waves - Ground zero for UK surf
Little Fistral
South Fistral reef - More technical than main beach - Local knowledge rewarded
Tolcarne Wedge
The Zorba
Cornwall's un-ridden big wave - Pentire reef - Last frontier
St Agnes
Cornish village vibes - Reef and beach mix - Strong local crew
Porthtowan
Punchy Cornwall beach - Hollow low tide peaks - Cliff-flanked cove