It looks like i'm going to be spending a few days near Newcastle-upon-tyne over the festive period "Doing the Extended family thing"
Naturally i'm taking my board and will be frantically looking for some waves to bodyboard/surf in.
Does anyone out there know of a nice beach near Newcastle? I was thinking of Cayton Bay......anyone got any comments?

Theres heaps of good breaks up there, I dont know where they all are, but have a friend from there that gets heaps of surf. Theres loads of classic reefs, that are super heavy as well. Get ready for the cold though.

Ive seen people surfing at tynemouth theres a surf shop there too. There are some fabulous looking beaches along the coast up that way. Ive never got round to taking my windsurf kit up there as I am doing the family thing too Maybe it would be worth contacting surfstore they may know of the best places togo

Cheers for that guys.
I'll check out that surf shop at tynemouth.. see if i can hunt it down on the internet.
It beats working...... until my boss busts me

Take a very thick wetsuit, the North Sea is 90% melted ice on its way south from the pole. Brrrrrr

I'll be in Whitley Bay at New Year.

[Edited on 19-12-2003 by Dave]

Now would be a good time to get myself one of those second skin neopreme rash vests I keep promising myself!

And God knows where my gloves are..... ahhhh sod it!
I'll soon warm up!
I'll just keep moving and try to ignore those head-freeze headaches!

Its all fun!!!

Thodd,
I also will be visiting the outlaws in the NE for Xmas/New year, I am a windsurfer but surf a little when there's swell and no wind.

I am no expert but I think you will be pleasantly surprised at what the northumberland coast has to offer. The focal point for surfing in the area is Tynemouth Longsands. The Tynemouth Surf Co shop is located there, contact them on 0191 258 2496, out of hours this number gives a current surf report. Longsands has an excellent beach Cafe where you can deposit partner to sup coffee. There are miles stunning beaches in Northumberland, places I know that are surfed are Bamburgh and Beadnel Bay (South end in a northerly swell). Blyth South beach is sometimes surfed when Tynemouth is not working so well, I think Blyth is better in a more southerly swell than Tynemouth but don't quote me on that!

Try the message forum on the following Windsurfing web site, of which I am a member:
www.northumbrian-windsurfing.org.uk/
We have a group of windsurfing /surfing members who meet up to surf, just post a message if you need any advice.

As for the cold, if the surf forecast for early next week is correct you'll be too stoked to care!

Cheers
John C