The Cribbar
Newquay's big wave: a right that breaks off Towan Head only in huge storms.
The Cribbar is a reef off Towan Head, next to Fistral, that only breaks a few days a year, in huge swells. Then it produces rights of over 6 m.
It has been surfed since the sixties and is one of the UK's best-known big waves; you get a great view from the headland.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Reef |
|---|---|
| Direction | Right |
| Level | Expert |
| Best swell | NW, W |
| Best wind (offshore) | S, SE |
| Tide | Low to mid |
| Size | 4–8 m |
| Best season | Winter, during storms |
| Crowd | Light |
| Localism | Medium |
Surf forecast
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Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A big-wave gun or tow board. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf The Cribbar
A shortboard leash won't hold in waves of several metres.
View on AmazonRock or urchins on the bottom: protect your feet going in and out.
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Localism and vibe
A peak for big-wave specialists.
Surfing style
Big waves.
Hazards
Extreme size, rocks and currents.
Map
Shapers near The Cribbar
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
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Porthtowan (Cornwall)
A small surf village between cliffs, with powerful banks.
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Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.