I went again yesterday and there was one person out at 9am – and only 6 of us in the next slot. The water was warmer too. they adjust the sets to the numbers out. When we first paddled out, they were 20 wave sets, so I could get 2 waves a set if I didn’t take it all the way right in, but my arms were getting f$@ked! They went back down to 9 wave or so a set and that was great.
It was sunny, light winds, ace!
The time before was “onshore” and windy, but still fine and definitely not like beach onshore, because the wave is created from scratch about 5 metres away from you 🙂
What I love about it there is its really friendly, chatty line ups. Everyone’s in a queue and everyone gets loads of waves.
They planning to start the soft barrels in the spring probably. The issue is it breaks in about knee deep water and its an issue if people land awkwardly. Although its concrete I don’t think its much different to compacted sand. You just can’t sue the sea, but people could sue Bristol, so health and safety is a big issue – particularly when people seem to over estimate their surfing ability (me included after seeing the photos post surf!!!)