Conversation in the lineups over the weekend across the UK has been about the exceptionally warm November. Usually the rule of thumb means around 5 November people start pulling on the winter suit and boots.. But not for most this year!
While everyone is enjoying the sun and waves it did leave me wondering what was going on: Was it as unusual? Was it global warming? Were water temps above average? So here is quick look….
Water temps
Current sea temps
Newquay Current 14, Max 14.3, Average 13.3 Scarborough Current 11.3, Max 12.4, Avg 10.7 Shoreham Current 15.6, Max 16.4, Avg 14.5 South Shields Current 11, Max 12.4, Avg 11.1 Porthcawl Current 13.4, Max 14.8, Avg 13.5 Swansea Current 13.8, Max 14.9, Avg 13.6 Plymouth Current 14.2, Max 14.6, Avg 13.5 Aberdeen Current 12.1 Max, 12.2, Avg 11.1 Bournemouth Current 14.3, Max 15.9, Av 14.3 Barnstaple Current 14.3, Max 14.9, Avg 13.7
Lahinch Current 12.5, Max 13.8, Avg 11.9 Bundoran Current 11.8, Maz 14, Avg 12.2 Portrush Current 13.2, Max 13.3, Avg 12.2
While a few spots are approaching their max November temps they are still within normal boundaries.
The UK has however been hit by exceptionally mild November weather with record warmest ever in Wales of 21 degrees over the week. It’s the result of string of low pressures winging across the Atlantic with stronger than usual southerly air streams dragging warmer air up from the south.
BBC Weather’s Simon King says this is down to the jet streams pattern but more specifically, to the direction of the wind.
“A south-west wind is dragging in air from the Tropics, around the Azores and Cape Verde – where it is still warm at this time of year – and that milder air is spreading north to the UK.”
It is more ‘water’ than climate change this time however,
“This weather pattern, while fairly unusual for the time of year, is not linked to climate change,” he says
‘While the warm air being dumped over the UK is “not a regular occurrence”, it is a weather phenomenon that we experience every so often in the UK – so it is not a one-off.”
“Climate change may be altering the typical position of the jet stream further north – when considering its horizontal position/latitude averages over decades. This is different, though, from this scenario where the jet stream is meandering north to south like a big U.
“However, the warmer weather we’ve experienced this autumn – and extreme overnight temperatures just seen – are the types of conditions we’re likely to experience more frequently in the future with climate change.”
So for now you can enjoy the sun and warmth, but remember global warming is real and it’s coming.
With everything happening fast at once it’s hard to appreciate what’s going on sometimes, this slow motion perspective gives you time to appreciate the backwash of the cliff, the gurgles the entire way, the mass of barely wet reef in front of the wave, the backdoor section. Being on the outside rail in the tube counteracting the suck as it barrels, the bend in the wave that goes off the reef and then sink hole to avoid getting caught in. - Ian Battrick
Outside Devon is a community backed two acre site with a world class skate bowl, shaping bay, cafe, pottery studio and going space just outside of Bantham is celebrating three months of being open and at the heart of the local community.
Outside is a unique and magical space on the outskirts of Bantham in the South Hams and has been designed and built with community right at its heart. It’s providing a safe space for all walks for life, for sport, for local food, for wellbeing and social interacCon. One visit is not enough!
What started as idea of local Paddy Wellens and old friend, musician Ben Howard is now a reality – a feat that wouldn’t have been possible without the outpouring of support from the local community.
Officially opened in late July 2022, Outside is now firmly on the map. With its purpose built, concrete skate bowl hosting over 400 skaters so far, to its small Organic farm supplying about 60% of the produce that makes up the cafe’s international menu, this feels like it is only just the beginning.
The appeal for the destination doesn’t stop there though, Outside also hosts a ceramics studio running courses for both adults and children and a Surfboard shaping workshop, a place for renowned shapers and amateurs to hone their skills.
With one successful evening event under their belt, Outside are looking to create an eclectic mix of events through the calendar year from Food nights, comedy evenings, skate jams, exhibitions and film nights as well as creating an alternative space to watch this winters football World Cup.
In the near future it may be possible to hire Outside for private events, we can imagine their calendar is going to bursting soon because there really is something for everyone.
Paddy Wellens, Co-Founder of Outside said,
“Outside opened its doors in late July 2022. Our vision was to create a multi-generatoinal space, a stop off on the way to or from a surf that we would have loved had it been here when we were growing up!
“It has already become an important part of the local area, with its world class skate bowl, amazing healthy food and incredible coffee in the cafe! The workshops are taking off and the first surfboards are being shaped. We know that the future is very exciting at Outside and we look forward to welcoming you all in!”
Paddy’s daughter Sofia, age 11 who skates at Outside and helps run the girls skate club every Friday, agrees,
“Outside is a place for everyone to enjoy with their friends and family, the skate bowl is crazy and there’s always fun stuff going on, Lola T (Team GB Skater) skates at the bowl and that’s really exciting for me! And there’s great Burritos!’
A beauty of a morning at Boscombe Pier situated in Bournemouth on the South Coast of England. Clean waves for all involved.. bleddy marvellous - Jason Kempshall
We often pipe on about the strength of the UK surf community, how it is connected, grounded and in many ways unique, but here within lays the proof.
‘The Board Drive’ is a story about how one surfboard from a shed in Newquay snowballed into a national campaign to get surfboards sent across the world to children living in tough and challenging environments in South Africa and Mozambique.
When Pete Burnett contacted his mate Brad about donating a board in his shed to a good cause, neither had any idea what was about to kick off. A social media spot led to hundreds of surfers coming forward with similar boards they wanted to see put to good use. And the problem of transporting he boards to SA came up Down the Line surf shop in Cornwall stepped in to help.
Well done Pete, Brad, all who donated and got involved, FCS, Surfers Not Street Children, and Down The Line. Great effort!
The Surfers Not Street Children model fuses surfing, mentorship and care and has dedicated local teams that include social workers, carers, lifeguards, surf coaches and administrators. The program has transformed the lives of many children with an impressive portion of participants going from ‘street children’ to becoming coffee baristas, lifesavers, surf shop staff, restauranteurs, surf coaches and even pro surfers.
