Season: winter
Wild storms lashed Towan Head. John, an experienced local fisherman, explains that you can multiply the time between the waves by 0.75 to calculate the speed of the waves in metres per second. There was a gap of thirty seconds between these waves. The power of the ocean, when seen from such an exposed headland, is quite awesome and a reminder of the danger of reckless interaction with such forces.
John’s experiences with this weather over time.
A wild day at Towan Head.
Season: spring
A bright evening greeted me at Towan Head in Newquay. With Easter approaching, couples and families were walking the beaches and headlands of Newquay, enjoying the welcome return of blue skies and some high pressure after recent winter storms. Half a tide played against Little Fistral and Fistral beaches and there was a blue sea in the bay as I looked across towards Great Western and the other Newquay beaches. It was a fine way to end the day.
Clare and Toby at the end of the day.
Season: summer
A mild, overcast morning coincided with a high tide that was just starting to fall back next to the headland. A vibrant sea pummeled the rocks facing the Atlantic Ocean. As I looked back to the beach from the lookout post, the party-goers of Newquay slept through this vibrant start to the day.
Two early morning joggers at Towan Head.
Next to the action in the morning at Towan Head.
Season: summer
Looking across to Trevose Head and its glinting lighthouse just before dawn, my view was interspersed with fishing boats making their way out from the harbour at Newquay. As the sun broke over the headland, they crossed a golden shaft of light that fell against the sea. Such a scene stays frozen in one’s visual memory, stored away as a comfort for rainy winter days and dark nights. There’s a fine view back towards both Fistral beaches from Towan Head, sitting elevated and proud against the Atlantic breakers.
An early morning spot of mackerel fishing for Ken.
Just before dawn on Towan Head.
Cool story, bro.