Saunton Sands / Westward Ho

[stundies]

I am taking a weeks break later this year near Woolacombe and noticed how close it was to Saunton Sands and Westward Ho. Unbeknown the the misses but I am planning on tajing my kites and buggy. Can anyone tell me if it's allowed on these beaches or if it's banned or what if any are the rules i.e. need to stick to a certain zone within the beach etc...

 

Thanks

[dubai_reddragon]

Its been a while since I was on Saunton, but I think it was banned during the summer months and during the winter months you had to walk a long old way down the beach before you could board.... Good luck, lovely part of the world.

 

DRD

[catdog1121]

Beleive staunton is an outright ban on anything with wheels.

 

Westward Ho has restrictions in the summer, you must not fly past the beach patrol hut, that still leaves plent of room, however it can get pretty crowded with tourists in the summer and as there is no dedicated section for kiting its not ideal if your a beginner.

[Cafe.Racer]

As above, Westward is your best bet but check the rules before you go - North of the beach hut/walkway in summer and you must not setup, launch or fly within 100m of the pebble ridge.

 

In reality, you're best to set up right at the north end of the pebble ridge. Either drive down and drag the buggy over the pebbles, or take the buggy over the walkway near the hut and walk right down.

 

Seems that Westward is buggyable about 2 huors either side of low tide. You can get down a bit sooner and setup, and wait for it to dry out.

[kitemare]

Hi Buddy,

Westward Ho! is your only bet, Saunton not only ban wheels but also kitesurfers throughout July and August (bless them!). Westward Ho! does get busy at the weekends but mid week its quite quiet, even in the summer (10 people max). The others are dead right, you have to keep 100m from the ridge and N of the lifeguard hut. This is just to keep clear of the people! The 100m gives people clear passage up the beach. You are best to get closer to the water on LW as usually good hard sand although the beach conditions vary. The best conditions are produced by W winds to smooth it and a good sized swell to compact the sand. Watch out for the soft patches!! You soon find these though and avoid them!! You can buggy up to 3-3.5hrs before and after low water depending on spring or neap tides, watch how close you are to the ridge! There a friendly lot there so just enjoy...We will be updating our site to include more information and land restrictions, google map with areas marked on and more tidal information, I want to get to it this weekend, if not by next weekend it will all be done. This should help a lot. kitemare.co.uk community tab then N Devon guide.

Hope this help,

Peter

Kitemare...

[stundies]

Thanks all for your replies.

 

I'm no beginner and have been actively doing this for some years now but just as a hobby. As I have never been to this part of the country I have no idea where the lifeguard hut is. Therefore I have been on Google Maps and had a look around and the only building that I think resembles a Lifeguard building I have added a line and attached the picture. Could someone confirm whether i'm miles out or actually it's a good guess. I'm trying to understand what part of the north part of the beach we can use.

 

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w7/stundies/Untitled.jpg

[Cafe.Racer]

I think you've picked up the wildlife center/toilets.

 

First time I went I was the same as you - unclear about what's what. Once you're there it all becomes clear.

 

On that map there's two roads going towards the beach, one from the Westward end (North/South) on from the Northam End (NW/SE). The Northam road is tarmac, the Westward road isn't and was dead bumpy the other week.

 

Where the two roads join near the pebble ridge - that's where the lifeguard hut and the walkway over the pebble ridge are.

 

You're better off heading for where your red line is, anyway - less people will get in your way.

 

HTH

[Cafe.Racer]

Oh, and 100m is just beyond the nice stretch of really flat, hard and smooth sand at the bottom of the pebbles.

[kitemare]

Like it! Had to smile here to myself as cafe racer its so right!! Some days the only bit of smooth, hard sand is the 100m! The lifeguard hut is removeable and has only just been plopped in the last few weeks ready for the end of the month. It sits onto of the ridge and is grey and orange with ariels coming from the roof, you can't miss it. Picture and line are good, not a million miles off...Enjoy!

[Fluffy-lou]

The other bits of info you need to know for Westward Ho! are that you need insurance to fly on the beach - I believe all common insurance providers are accepted, including BPKA, BKSA. SWATK and CLSC insurance policies also have risk assessments for Westward Ho! so are valid there as well.

 

It is also a rule of the beach that you wear a helmet when undertaking traction activities.

 

All the info, and a very friendly bunch of fliers, can be found at the local club, Westward Wind Kite Club: Westward Wind Kite Club

 

Information and a map of the zones can be found here: Guidelines

 

Hope that helps!

[kitemare]

Hi I have included a link to the updated information page on our website. This should help lots! I will update it again very soon with some photos to show the lifegaurd hut etc.

Cheers,

Peter

kitemare.co.uk

[nudge1599968719]

Your lil map is wrong kitemare, in the winter months we have total use of the beach, you have a red line that says above red line all year

[stundies]

Thanks for all your advice, I can't wait now. I already have BPKA Ins and always wear a helmet and use kite killers with a harness so should be fully covered. Hopefully I might get to meet some of you guys down there upon my visit, fingers crossed the weather is good that week.

[Mad-Fly]

I noticed that the self appointed keeper of Westward Ho! didn't mention insurance and a helmet is needed.

[kitemare]

Thanks Nudge, I mention it on the text but your right the drawing is incorrect. Shall I alter it or leave it so I can have all the water and you all the land in the winter?!? I will get back on Coral draw this weekend!! I havent extended the ridge line down either...bugger!! If you want anything adding just let me know as you will have much more idea of the land sports than I do. I just do a little boarding and buggying when the wind was too light for the water. Now I have the Slingshot Glide as demo from the shop I am riding in 8mph so will stay on the water!

 

Mad fly-Thanks for the possitive feed back...Much appreciated! No one else has endevored to do anything and as I have a commercial interest in the area I want to make sure access is kept open. I work very closely with Steve from N D Kitesurfing as if any ban was brought about it would affect both of our businesses dramatically. I see you are from Hereford...you would just have to travel somewhere else while we loose access on our doorstep! If you read the text beside the pretty pictures you will notice insurance and helmet are in slots 1 and 2! I am trying to help visitors in a positive way to enjoy the beach, is this bad?

[Fluffy-lou]

No one else has endevored to do anything and as I have a commercial interest in the area I want to make sure access is kept open.

 

Not quite true.

 

Westward Wind Kite Club

 

They've been around a while, and have a pretty comprehensive guide to kiting on Westward Ho! on their website, and are well known to the local warden and council. As I understand it these guys are pretty much responsible for keeping access to Westward Ho! open, and have been for some years.

[Mad-Fly]

Ah your right sorry i was being a bit sarcastic i didn't click on your link, believe it our not Ive had words with people flying on the golf course in the past as well as people flying to near the pebble ridge kite surfers setting up in the car park etc.

[Rocky77]

Just checked out your link. Your info on the Ho! beach conditions and obstacles is first class. The best if read on the net.TBH

Of Course....Anything that puts people off and leaves more beach for me has to be a good thing;)

[kitemare]

Thanks guys....We are all after the same thing at the end of the day and if it can be done in a friendly way then even better. I was just trying to stop some of the silly rescues the lifeguards and we have to make where people haven't got a clue about the sea, currents, rip tides, wave surge etc and then find out the hard way! I bet you get the same on the land? All the gear and no idea!!

I do feel for you guys at the moment, the beach condition is probably the worst I have ever seen it, I get shaky vision even walking to the sea!!

Happy days...

See you down there....