South West sea temperature trumps California

So how many of you have braved the Devon and Cornwall sea from our beachside holiday parks this summer?

After hearing this latest news, chances are it's quite a lot of you...

Water temperatures off the South West coast have hit a seven-year high, making our seas even warmer than California – that's crazy huh?!

I haven't been able to do as much surfing as I'd like as I've been busy around our holiday parks UK with the Foxy Club, but guests have been telling me how hot the sea has been!

Experts say the water has reached an unusually hot 20.4C off Start Bay, Devon, while sea off the beaches near Perran View Holiday Park has measured 20.1C. That's even warmer than the 19.4C reading taken from the famous surfing hotspot in California, Santa Monica.

Despite a stormy start to the year, the consistent warm weather since June has seen the water rise by nearly 4C a month – that's twice as fast as it normally heats up.

Scientists from Plymouth Marine Laboratories claim light winds, warm nights and strong sunlight are responsible for the higher temperatures we're enjoying.

Dr Tim Smyth said: "We were looking at an average year until June but over the last six weeks temperatures have risen quickly.

"It is not surprising because there has been a lot of sunlight and calm weather but also crucially mild nights, so less heat is lost."

Writing this has convinced me to ditch my wetsuit and get back in the surf! Leave me a comment below if you've done the same.