Stamco
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Stamco is a quite exposed beach-and-reef surf break near Hastings that’s known for inconsistency—when it works, it can produce right-hand waves over a sandy-with-rock bottom, but setups are not frequent. It favors a specific swell direction: a southwest/SouthWest swell (often described as starting around 1.0–1.5m) is typically required to start producing rideable waves, with the best surf developing on a rising mid-to-high tide. When conditions line up, wave quality is described as good/regional-classic and the ride is generally short, typically under 50 meters. The spot is physically demanding due to reef/rock and obstacle hazards plus wooden groynes. Surfing is consistently described as for experienced/advanced surfers only, and local guidance emphasizes staying alert around submerged rocks and reef sections. Crowd and access characteristics are generally “low pressure” on weekdays, though weekends can draw more attention when conditions look promising. In the colder months, wetsuit guidance points to spring neoprene and ideally a hood, gloves, and boots; additional warmth needs increase in winter, and you should plan for cold water and exposed conditions.
- Exposed beach-and-reef break with right-hand waves
- Requires the right southwest swell and mid-to-high tide
- Short rides (<50m) with obstacle/reef hazards
- Right-hand waves can be a regional classic when the right southwest swell sets up.
- Short, punchy rides when it breaks.
- Typically not overly crowded even when the surf is up (weekday behavior described as unlikely-to-crowd).
- Inconsistent surf; works only occasionally.
- Exposed beach/reef conditions with submerged rocks/reef and other obstacles.
- Wind reliability is low and conditions can turn choppy.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, SW, S
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — From the spot-side wind description; overall wind reliability is low.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Pebble — Conflicting compositions reported: one source says sand, another says pebble; mixed coastal substrate is likely given sand/rock/reef descriptions.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Some descriptions also indicate medium when it sets up; generally described as producing small to medium waves.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Wind/swell mismatch can create choppiness; onshore/heavy wind can add significant chop.
- Launch
- Medium — Beach access located behind the timber yard near the railway bridge.
Through the year
Usually quiet on weekdays, but can become crowded on weekends when a good swell arrives.
Winter months see more frequent frontal storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Quite exposed beach and reef break with inconsistent surf. Works best with a specific southwest / SouthWest swell setup; right-hand waves over a mixed sand-and-rock bottom with reef/obstacle sections.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W, S
- Swell Height
- 1–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, High — Best on mid to high tide; specifically described as a rising mid-to-high tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach/reef setting.
- Wind Effect
- Can become choppy with heavy onshore winds; best with lighter offshore or cross-shore wind components.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold some size but often gets messy on larger, direct channel swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Regional classic quality when it works.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Described as moderate/power when it sets up; sources also describe hollow-like character.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Right-hand waves; described as hollow in one spot guide and peeling in another.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Typically short rides; sources consistently state less than 50 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 0–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short rides of less than 50 meters; one source gives an indicative normal length around 40 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Stamco in the full forecast view.
Stamco wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–28 ktsGusts 48 kts
- Direction
- SW233°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2428 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–3.0 m6s period
- Temperature
- 7–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Stamco is forecast for daytime winds of 3–28 kts, peaking around 28 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 48 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.3–3.0 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Reef
- Submerged rocks
- Obstacles
- Wooden groynes
- Strong tidal currents
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported for the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional area rescue coverage is described as limited.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Advanced, local-favored surfing culture noted; generally not described as hostile, but the spot is for experienced surfers.
Rules of the spot
- Only attempt when you can handle an advanced, obstacle/reef-influenced beach/reef break.
- Stamco is an exposed beach/reef break with inconsistent surf—only works occasionally.
- Be cautious of obstacles/submerged rocks and reef sections.
- Best conditions are typically on a rising mid-to-high tide with a solid south-westerly swell.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Hastings
- Nearest Town
- Hastings
- Parking
- Street parking near the pier and behind White Rock Theatre; underground parking opposite the beach front near Carlisle Parade; limited parking near the access road/wood store area; larger car park at Pelham Place. Payment via machine or mobile app described.
- Access
- Heading west from Hastings, pass under the railway bridge and turn right immediately after the timber yard to reach the beach access; alternatively: after passing a railway bridge from the west, turn right past a wood store on the right and head up to the beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Various hotels and guesthouses are available in St Leonards and Hastings.
- Food & Drink
- Local cafes and shops within a short drive or walk into St Leonards.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is described as available via mobile schools serving the East Sussex coast and local watersports shops (regional baseline).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Hastings combines a rugged Channel coastline with a historic seaside town feel; between sessions, cliff-top scenery and heritage attractions are nearby.
An award-winning reconstructed Victorian pier offering views across the English Channel.
Explore the secret underground tunnels used by smugglers in the 18th century.
A historic area with narrow streets, traditional fishing boats, and the Net Shops.
The site of the 1066 Battle of Hastings, located just inland.
Extensive cliff-top walks and coastal scenery.
A popular local pub in the Old Town serving seasonal East Sussex produce.
Located on the seafront, featuring local and tropical marine life.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Stamco?
The best overall months at Stamco are August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July.
Which wind directions work at Stamco?
Stamco works with W, SW, S winds.
What skill level is Stamco suitable for?
Stamco suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.