"Aberystwyth has a variety of breaks mostly for the more experienced rider due to the nasty rocky bottom and the shallowness of it all. Although there are one or two safe beaches ...consistency is always a problem" - Tony Daniel
The Harbour Trap or Trap as it's more commonly known is probably the best of the bunch but becomes easily crowded due to the short length of ride and its closeness to town.
The locals here are understandably protective of this wave so don't paddle out if you can't handle it. In big swells, it breaks in a nice 'A' frame shape with lefts and rights reeling off to the right of the harbour.
Most surfers use the harbour itself as their point of entry but be warned as a strong rip runs all the way along here - it's definitely not a place for learners!
your comments
Callum
I meant the term 'wannabies' and 'newbies' as sarcasm and irony: hence the apostrophes! Seriously I didnt mean any of that in a derogatory way: believe it or not.
Sun May 17 12:40:15 2009
Dan Hodge -Alaska
re: Gareth (Gaz) Evans' post.....Does anyone have any pictures of the 'Legendary Dick Garrard' surfing the Trap? Its his 60th this w/e and I'm looking for a blast from the Aber past for him.
Tue Apr 7 09:37:57 2009
Ex UWA Surf Club
Dunno how you can call the surf club wannabies, they did pretty well in the champs during those years and went to some places far beyond Aber. Where were all the so called hardcore surfers for the comps? At home nursing their nose bleeds they got when they went any further south than Newquay Ceredigion.
Just because they made surfing accessible to people who never felt confident to get in the water you people criticise, honestly!!!
Fri Oct 19 09:29:14 2007
Dave Fabien, Cumbria
I surfed here recently while visiting friends. The hostile locals snaked me repeatedly despite waiting my turn, the water was full of Diesel and I got a parking ticket for my trouble despite there being no obvious place to pay.Can only hope the attitudes and water quality improve...
Fri Sep 7 15:05:35 2007
Newbie, Lampeter
Wannabies? Newkids? get a life, get a board and get out there, and be nice!
Tue Aug 7 09:17:04 2007
Callum (aka Beans) Drury, Bangor University/Oxford
sup guys, I wanna thank Charlie for his message about locals, I have yet to meet a well nasty local who hated all non-locals around my local break at Hell's Mouth. As Charlie pointed out theyre just a bunch of m8s who enjoying hanging out and catching a good wave; just like the rest of us! If we all respected one another (no matter what our abilities) and told 'wannabies' or 'newkids' about some basic guidlines - eg. dropping in, then much respect and enjoyment can be had by all!
Anyway, yeah about the Aber wave. My family and I go on holiday to a small town about 20 miles south (coincidently) called New quay (Cei Newydd) and so have dropped by aberstwyth many times, not really seen much of a wave up there, my 2 favourite spots when Im around are Aberarth and Llangranog, although Aberarth proved to be somewhat better!!
Fri Nov 25 14:51:00 2005
Charlie G
Hey we're not that bad. the student surfers are a very friendly bunch, dont know about wannabies, but the rest of us are out there in the water whatever the weather with a smile frozen inplace (literally). and we're just a group of mates who enjoy getting in the water and going to the pub together, anyone can come along.
Tue Nov 22 10:45:29 2005
Holly, Aberystwyth
A big thanks to everyone who helped out and made the Borth Masters 2005 surf comp a great day with the true surfing spirit.
Surfing competition photos...
Tue Oct 25 14:08:12 2005
Mike from Swansea
I bow to Squib's vast experience of surfing!! Obviously having spent 40 years surfing the worlds best breaks you are infinately more experienced than I, and your word should be gospel. I'm supprised you soiled yourself with this 'low quality' wave. I did however have an epic day last Nov, as did many other Gower / South Wales boys [including Quiksilver rider Nathan Phillips and ex european champ PJ] and I'd say it wasnt a bad wave at all on its day. Squib, are you a protective local trying to put off visitors by any chance?????
Mon Oct 3 21:15:22 2005
jon
how would the harbour be for body boarding? i've surfed down south at fistrel in newquay,and st ives, but recently getting really into it. i live nr shrewsbury and this seems like one of the best closest spots.
Mon Sep 5 16:20:10 2005
Nimz
Chris is absolutely spot on, just get in and meet the locals, the curse of jambo and the wannabies still affects the uni club and remember seek and ye shall find, secret spots abound...
Mon Aug 8 23:16:43 2005
Chris Porthcawl
The University Surf Club was taken over by wannabies who were rarely in the water in 2002 . Stay well clear, get in with the boys and girls who are out there putting the hours in. Then they may show you the many secret spots in the area, good hunting.
Mon Jul 11 15:46:30 2005
Aled P, Aberarth
I've surfed Aber trap and it's ok but if u really want a good ride you should head aboud 15 miles south to Aberarth which has the best right hand surf in this area, but the left is pretty poor here. Love u all peace!
Wed Jun 22 10:57:38 2005
Ex-Aber Surfer
Rachel, there are a couple of clubs around the area. The university has one, but rumour has it that its become a bit cliquey and pretentious these days. I still know a couple of good guys who are members though, if you're a student. Otherwise there is a club at Borth, just about 6 miles away. Ask about it in Stormriders, speak to Mike, Martin or any of the guys and they can point you in the way.
Thu Jun 9 16:18:37 2005
Rachel, Aberystwyth
Can anyone help me, would like to know if there are any surfing clubs in aberystwyth. Cheers :)
Sun May 15 20:46:12 2005
Chris (Llandrindod)
Went accross to Aber on saturday, were some wicked waves, and a really long ride too. For the fact that I usually have to drive 3 hours to Pembroke, I was pretty damn happy. Would go back!
Mon Apr 25 12:39:25 2005
NM, Aberystwyth
The trap is a really mellow wave and quite boring until it gets big. When this happens the gutless wave, walls up and it gets pretty sweet. Its biggest asset is that its very consistent but due to this fact it is always majorly crowded.
Tue Aug 17 21:54:55 2004
Squib
I've been practically all around the world and surfed all the major spots, and Aber has to be without a doubt the most dissapointing ride I've ever had in 40 years of surfing!...
Wed Jun 16 13:42:20 2004
Tom
Appologies to the girl that i dropped in on, on sunday at the trap I'm still learning the ropes and i know it must be frustrating for locals when guys like me turn up, sorry!!
Tue Jun 8 13:20:22 2004
Gareth (Gaz) Evans
Came across this web page by chance. Learned to surf at the Trap in 1971. One of just a handful of Aber boys who surfed in those days before it became fashionable. Role models at the trap were students such as legendary Dick Garrard (married to Jane and had a sheepdog Bilbo!) and possibly one of the most gifted surfers I've ever seen. Harbour Trap was never crowded and I have some outstanding black and white photos of it at 8-10'. Morfa Bychan was rarely surfed and the huge storms on the North Beach were good fun. Also keen surfers then were Pete Norrington Davies (your harbourmaster), Elwyn Isaac, Mike Jones, Dai James and Gez Wheeler. Travels to Pembrokshire from Aber saw just 5 or 6 in at Manorbier. I trust the water is cleaner now than it was back then! Travelled extensively since then but most awesome sight for those of you who remember it were the tubes of the British surfing Champs at fresh west in 1973. Pete Jones getting tubed- something never forgotten. Regards to those of you who remember those times! If you want to send us any of your photos, we'll add them to the site! Mid Wales Web Team - wales.mid@bbc.co.uk
Sun May 23 21:35:25 2004
Jack D. from Aberystwyth
Not sure about your epic diseases from untreated sewage!I can't say for sure but I believe Aber to have possibly one of,if not the best water treatment works in Britain. It uses ultraviolet light as well as conventional methods to screen water for bugs.After heavy rain,runoff from fields can occur,as with everywhere,hence Aber's previous loss of one of its blue flags(regained?).Your brown water is probably sediment stirred up from the sea bed after a restless sea has pounded the shore.Trust me...! ;) Rock on!
Fri Jan 23 00:12:18 2004
Grizzly, Aberystwyth
Given the right conditions, the trap can be sweet, although 'write home and tell Mum' days haven't been common this summer. Still, if you can't catch an epic ride, you can probably catch an epic disease from the untreated sewage that appears after every heavy rainfall. Why is this allowed to happen?
On the plus side, a dawn raid with the local dolphins passing can be magical!
Sun Nov 9 07:50:58 2003
Add your comments to this beach guide here:
A popular student/seaside town, the main surf spot is found at the 'Harbour Trap' which we've covered on this page. Other local spots include...
