The straight sandy beach faces west-northwest onto the Atlantic and is approximately Шаблон:Convert long. It is backed by steep sand dunes and is overlooked by the Headland Hotel. The name "Fistral" is recorded as Fistal in 1813, coming from the Cornishbystel meaning "foul water, bile or gall" (compare Welsh bustl) probably in reference to the waves making it an unsuitable landing site.
Surfing
Fistral Beach is best known for surfing. Its west-facing aspect exposes it to Atlantic swells ensuring consistent waves suitable for surfing. The beach is the venue for major international surfing competitions and a competition suite for judges and competitors has been built at North Fistral along with a surf museum.
The Cribbar, a reef at the north end of the beach, causes waves to break when the swell is high. It is considered to be Cornwall's premier "big wave" location with wave faces as high as Шаблон:Convert.Шаблон:Citation needed
On 21 September 2006 Fistral Beach hosted the British Surfing Association's invitational Gold Rush Big Wave Competition.Шаблон:Citation needed During the competition the surf was over Шаблон:Convert high because of the effect of Hurricane Gordon.Шаблон:Citation needed The winner was 28-year-old Scott Eastwood of the Channel Islands who scored a perfect 10 in the final.Шаблон:Citation needed
