North Devon beaches for kite surfing

[umdb03]

Im still new to kitesurfing & am off to Croyde, North Devon in a few weeks on holiday & am going to take my kite etc & hopefully get some practice in.

 

What I need to know is where I can go; what beaxhes allow kites & when (what wind & tides)?

 

Anyone help?

 

Thanks

Mark

[andrewjohn]

Croyde's a nono, too crowded. Saunton sands down the road allows kitesurfing but there are restrictions as to where you can fly I think.

 

Westward Ho is the best, also has restriction as to where you can set up.

 

And woolacombe also allows kitesurfing. Again, proberbly be restrictions, especially in the summer when the beaches will be packed with the bucket and spade brigade.

[D3.]

Westward Ho is my local spot and works on a NW, W (onshore) SW, crossshore on a North and South. Kite area is at the opposite end of the beach from the slip, past the life guard hut. Tide comes right upto the pebble ridge so no kiting 2 hr before/after high tide. Good spot with plenty of space, surf/land and buggies allowed.

[Silveringsurfer]

Saunton is the closest to you. Open for kitesurfing apart from the summer holiday 6 weeks. Just walk down the beach until you hit the white rock and you can launch and sail from here on to the South. It's a vast beach and fine in South, SW, WSW, W, WNW and NW. There are large cliffs to the North which create some messy air but as long as you stay in the kite area it isn't a problem in the wind directions described. All states of tide are useable but not much beach on springs. It's also quite a trek to the water on a spring low! Waves tend to be slow crumblers and Saunton is a famous long board beach for good reason.

 

Woolacombe - Too busy at the South (called Putsburough) and North Ends near to the town. Kitesurfing is fine in the middle of the beach near to a large rock formation (Mill Rock). Park on the Marine Drive car park above the town and walk through the dunes down to the beach where you will see the rocks. SW, SSW, WSW, W, WNW, NNW and North all ok here. All states of the tide are fine. Waves tend to be a little faster and heavier than Saunton.

 

Westward Ho is about 15 miles further south. It does have the closest parking to the beach though - walk over a pebble ridge and you are on the beach. Kitesurfing from about mid way up the beach as the lifeguarded area is at the Southern town end. Also allows kite buggies which the other beaches don't. Due to the pebble ridge there is no access for an hour or two around high tide as there is no beach! SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, N all ok. Southerly is ok but tends to be very gusty here due to hills to the South.

 

You may have noticed that none of the beaches are any good with any east in the wind. If it's like that then you are limited to the very tidal area inland between Saunton and Westward Ho. There are a number of launch spots but the most popular is Crow Point. Follows signs from Braunton for Vellator Industrial estate, follow the road past the TIKI Wetsuit factory and keep on along that road towards Braunton Burrows. Turn left down the Toll Road (cash only and take a £5 to make sure you have enough for any vehicle). At the white house (aptly named) park in the car park and hop over the ridge onto the car park. Useable only for 2 hours or so either side of high tide and the tide does rip out so not a place to be out in marginal winds.

 

hope that helps

[Maro]

Westwood Ho! is a good spot, no set up or flying within 100m of the pebble ridge.

[umdb03]

Cool, cheers for the info guys. This time next week I will be packed & ready to go! Can't wait. Plenty of opportunity to kite here at home but no regular surf. Am off out to the beach with the kite tomorrow for a session.

 

Westward Ho! - now the high tide will be why went I went last month to take a look there wasnt any beach despite it being said it was a long sandy beach!

Noticed a lot of building works on the front, new apartments I think it was.

 

Saunton would be good as it's only just up the road from Croyde but I expect all beaches are gonna be busy with tourists. Least I'll get an early surf at Croyde. Kiting will be later in the day.

 

Hopefully if the wind is right I might at least get a few hours, shame to waste the opportunity. Have to take computer with me to check the wind/tides.

 

Mark

[Silveringsurfer]

High tides are early afternoon next weekend but are neaps so W-Ho should be ok apart from an hour or two around then. Saunton will be fine all weekend.

[alexberry.pgt]

How are the beaches here at the end of august??? Im planning a trip on 20th, will I be restricted by the fun police?

[umdb03]

How are the beaches here at the end of august??? Im planning a trip on 20th, will I be restricted by the fun police?

 

Hey, When I went Saunton sands was dead! A couple of surfers & that was about it. They do ask that you be insured to kite there though - there is a notice board by the shop which says, but if you didn't read it you wouldn't know.

[D3.]

They do ask that you be insured to kite there though - there is a notice board by the shop which says, but if you didn't read it you wouldn't know.

 

And any responsible kiter would have insurance. Bad enough to have accidents but to hurt somebody and not be insured - that would be stupid. Id rather you not risk closing my local spot for the sake of a few pounds!.

 

Get insured and read the bloody signs.

[alexberry.pgt]

better get some insurance then!

[D3.]

Good man

[umdb03]

And any responsible kiter would have insurance. Bad enough to have accidents but to hurt somebody and not be insured - that would be stupid. Id rather you not risk closing my local spot for the sake of a few pounds!.

 

Get insured and read the bloody signs.

 

Sorry if I p'd you off, wasnt intended.

 

I just meant that the sign which has the info is probably not read by a lot of people & it's not til you start to walk down to the beach that you'd see it.

 

This sort of info should be very clear I feel for the benefit of all beach users.

 

The BKSA membership I think gets you 12 months insurance included in the price if I remember correctly.

 

Also I struggled to find the 'white rock' marker. I think I found it; it wasnt very far along & was at the bottom of the dunes. Think it needs re-painting if it was that.