The Gare (South Gare)

Redcar · North East England · United Kingdom

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for The Gare (South Gare) (wave height, swell, wind, tide and a 0–10 rating for every hour of the next 16 days) are only shown on SurfCams. They change every hour, so this text doesn’t contain them. To check today’s surf, open https://surf-cams.com/spot/south-gare.

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The Gare is a rare, heavy right that breaks over a boulder bottom on the inside of the South Gare breakwater, at the mouth of the River Tees near Redcar. A big east swell wraps around the end of the breakwater and runs along its west side, where it can be fast and hollow. Steelworks, the port and the Hartlepool power station make it a very industrial setting.

Level
Experts only
Break
Reef break, rock
Waves
Rights
Crowd
Some company
Season
winter
Boards
A shortboard or step-up.

When it works

✓ A big 1.5–3 m east swell from mid to high tide on the rising tide, with a light south-easterly or southerly wind.

When it doesn't

✕ Most swells do not reach it at all, and it does not work at low tide.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • currents
  • pollution
  • boats

Best months

November, December, January, February, March

Local tips

Only for experienced surfers: the bottom is sharp, the hold-downs are long and tidal currents run hard at the river mouth. Ships use the channel, so keep away from it. Leave the best waves to the small local crew.

Getting there

From Redcar, drive west through Warrenby to Fisherman's Crossing and follow the South Gare Road along the breakwater. Park near the end and walk out.

Travel notes

How often it works
Very rare. It only breaks on big east swells, a few days a year.
Crowd and vibe
A small, committed local crew when it breaks; few visitors.
Camping and vans
No campsite on the South Gare; the nearest are inland, more than 10 km away.
Facilities
None on the breakwater; everything in Redcar, about 4 km away.
Water quality
Not a designated bathing water. Surf guides warn the water at the mouth of the Tees is very polluted.

Ideal conditions

Swell
ENE–ESE best, NNE–SE works
Size
1.8–3 m offshore swell; starts at 1.2 m, holds to 3.7 m
Period
8 s minimum, best from 11 s
Wind
Offshore E–SSW; handles onshore up to 15 km/h
Tide
mid, high best, avoid low, on the rising tide
Faces
WNW (290°)

Live cam

No cam at this spot yet: the forecast and the guide are on the map.

Nearby spots

All spots in North East England · All spots

Sources