The PaddlerUK magazine September 2015 issue 4 | Page 56

PADDLERUK 56

Following four hours of surfing
(around 30 waves each), we found a friendly
local pub in a neighbouring village where we had
food and a few beers, and then made our way
back to the site, and our pod. The pods are
located to the north side of the lagoon, the
opposite side of where the reception,
restaurants and other buildings are situated.

The pods

The pod was warm, comfortable and clean.
External to each pod is a dedicated parking
space and decking area including bench seat.
Each pod can house up to four people, with two
raised single beds either side of the door and a
floor level double bed at the rear of the pod
which is separated by a curtain in the doorway.
Your own bedding is required. Each pod had a
number of electric points, lighting and underfloor
heating, which should keep you warm in the
coldest of Welsh winters. Pods and shower
blocks are accessed with a slim line, electronic,
waterproof wristband.
There are two shower blocks, one specifically for
the pod guests on the north side, with the other
at the main building for all other users and
guests.

After a great night’s sleep in the pod, breakfast
was served at the south side of the lagoon in the
main building. The restaurant area overlooks the
lagoon where the wave runs from east to west.
A tasty full cooked breakfast set us up for the
day. Unfortunately, this was the only meal we had
at the site, as it had not fully opened at this
point, with the official opening date still three
days away. I can’t wait for our next trip up now
that the site is fully open to get the full
experience of onsite restaurant, bar open until
11pm and chilling out drinking a beer with other
surfers sat around the lagoon.
This is a fantastic facility for board surfers and
kayak surfers alike. I would highly recommend
the facility, not only for the surfing experience
but for its uniqueness and overall setting. The
staff are enthusiastic, welcoming and have a
positive attitude towards all surfers, whether on
a board or in a kayak.

Some have questioned Surf Snowdonia’s
position on only allowing surf specific craft
on the advanced wave. Whilst this wasn’t
our decision, I can’t say I disagree with it.
The reasons include:

Safety:
You need to be able to pull off the wave
just before the beginner bay and if you’re in
a big volume slow boat this would be
difficult.
Value for money:
Would you want to pay up to £40 to hit
one move per wave on the green, with the
rest of the ride trying to get back out of
the white water? Being a former freestyle
paddler, I can think of better places to
paddle a freestyle boat in the area, at a
fraction of the cost.