Blacksmiths Beach Surf Assessment

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Consultation has concluded

We've undertaken a surf amenity assessment to get some answers for what is happening at the southern end of Blacksmiths Beach. You can now view the Surf Amenity Assessment below. An online workshop to discuss the Assessment was held in November, a copy of this presentation is available in the documents library.

The natural movement of the waves is transporting sand and sediment, and this is changing the behaviour of the surf, wave size and surfing amenity at Blacksmiths Beach.


We're working with consultants to perform a review and analysis of long-term aerial imagery of Blacksmiths Beach, stretching 78 years from 1941 to present day. This imagery will demonstrate long-term trends and help us understand the impacts to surf amenity we are experiencing now.

The main purpose of this image analysis is to :

  • quantify long-term changes to shoreline position, such as beach rotation
  • identify potential sediment transport pathways
  • identify changes to the Swansea Channel training walls
  • understand the likely influence of the above processes on surfing amenity at Blacksmiths Beach

A temporary camera has also been installed to capture beach usage statistics and morphological changes at Blacksmiths Beach. It takes hourly images during daylight hours to provide valuable information about sediment transport processes.

The outcome of this study will influence whether a permanent management plan for beach nourishment will be included in the Coastal Management Plan.

We've undertaken a surf amenity assessment to get some answers for what is happening at the southern end of Blacksmiths Beach. You can now view the Surf Amenity Assessment below. An online workshop to discuss the Assessment was held in November, a copy of this presentation is available in the documents library.

The natural movement of the waves is transporting sand and sediment, and this is changing the behaviour of the surf, wave size and surfing amenity at Blacksmiths Beach.


We're working with consultants to perform a review and analysis of long-term aerial imagery of Blacksmiths Beach, stretching 78 years from 1941 to present day. This imagery will demonstrate long-term trends and help us understand the impacts to surf amenity we are experiencing now.

The main purpose of this image analysis is to :

  • quantify long-term changes to shoreline position, such as beach rotation
  • identify potential sediment transport pathways
  • identify changes to the Swansea Channel training walls
  • understand the likely influence of the above processes on surfing amenity at Blacksmiths Beach

A temporary camera has also been installed to capture beach usage statistics and morphological changes at Blacksmiths Beach. It takes hourly images during daylight hours to provide valuable information about sediment transport processes.

The outcome of this study will influence whether a permanent management plan for beach nourishment will be included in the Coastal Management Plan.

Sign up to the Project

Consultation has concluded