‘Best example of a waterspout’ is spotted off Llantwit Major during surf competition

‘Best example of a waterspout’ is spotted off Llantwit Major during surf competition

Surfers could not believe their eyes when a huge waterspout was spotted off the Llantwit Major coast during a popular surfing competition.

Whilst watching the Channel Coast Surf Club competition last Saturday, 30th October, a local weather enthusiast was able to catch the funnel-shaped waterspout using only his iPhone camera.

Speaking to the Glamorgan Star, James Thomas (47) said, “The weather started out great, but looking up to the sky I could see the anvil shaped clouds signifying stormy weather.

“The surf contest was well underway by 9:45am, as I stood at Llantwit Major Beach watching the building swell and the competitors taking to the surf.

“It started off fairly small, and quite high in the sky, and as we continued to watch, it appeared to get darker and began angling itself towards the surface of the sea, as if it was coming towards us.

James, a sales agent in the water sports industry who describes himself as a bit of a weather geek, was at the event to capture photos for the Family Rhino surf travel blog – thefamilyrhino.com.

He continued, “It was definitely the biggest waterspout/tornado that I’d ever seen. I quickly realised it was a waterspout, when I could see the rotating spray on the water’s surface, like a magnetic energy.

“I was really hoping to see the rotation of the waterspout link up with the disturbance on the sea, but this did not come to fruition. Still, it is one of the finest and most defined waterspouts I have ever seen.”

James recalls rushing to grab his mobile to take photos and shouted to all the competitors to draw their attention to the phenomenal natural occurrence developing right before them.

He added, “Over the years I have seen quite a few of these over the Channel, but this was by far the biggest. As I stood there watching, I thought to myself, this is probably the best example of a waterspout that I will ever get to see in my lifetime.”

A waterspout, also known as funnel clouds, can be formed in two ways. They can ascend upwards from water as warm air rises or can descend like a tornado. Although waterspouts can look quite spectacular if spotted, caution is always advisable as they can also be dangerous.

Barry born and loved, BBC Wales weatherman, Derek Brockway provided the Glamorgan Star this week his own thoughts on waterspouts.

In a BBC blog provided by Derek, he wrote: “Waterspouts can vary in size from a few feet to more than a mile in height, and from a few feet to hundreds of feet wide.

“Witnesses say they make hissing and sucking noises as they move, and these water twisters can move at speeds ranging from two to 80 miles an hour!

“Winds within the waterspout can spiral around at 60-120 miles an hour and usually last up to 15 minutes with some lasting for more than half an hour.

“Waterspouts are often seen in groups and ships out on the ocean have reported as many as 30 in one day.

“Waterspouts, like tornadoes on the land, can suck up and transport some interesting objects. Other than rain itself, fish are the most common thing reported falling from the sky, but rains of frogs, tomatoes and even lumps of coal have been known to fall too.

“Waterspouts are most frequent from May to September over warmer waters. They are usually not as dangerous as tornadoes but can still cause serious damage to ships.”

If you come across a natural, remarkable, or exceptional weather phenomenal anywhere in the Vale, grab your camera, take a photo, and send it to the Glamorgan Star. We would like to hear from you.