Kites on the River Taw near Barnstaple???

[Silveringsurfer]

Hi,

 

Spotted a couple of kitesurfers kiting next to the new bridge at Barnstaple on the River Taw. I've spent ages looking at this spot and I want to find out how they got on. It appears they launched off the South Bank, having walked off the Tarka trail. Anyone know their identities or who knows whether they ended up wrapped around the legs of the bridge? (Certainly caused traffic grief as all the bridge users were rubbenecking at them!)

[PAG]

Hi,

I wasn't one of them but know them all. They looked good didn't they. Most were from the shop Kitemare. Give them a call and speak to Pete who is the shop owner. He will tell you all about it.

Phil

[Silveringsurfer]

Ideal - I've met Pete a couple of times. thanks.

[kitemare]

Great spot but not for less than intermediate riders. Good amount of current, very shallow in places and very deep in others! Lots of debris going down the river to jump, the odd tree etc! Know your tides and flows and get the timing right, totally avoid spring tides and keep clear of the bridge!!!

We had a fantastic session on the water but it took weeks and weeks to get the right conditions for it, very smelly mud too! I wanted a totally flat water spot to practise crashing, sorry meant to say lean a few more tricks! It wasn't as flat as I had expected due to standing waves in some places. You could get a run in though, get over the shallow while unhooking then pop your trick. Had to hook in fast before mud! Safe as no people to get but really, really take care.

We love it as we can get changed in the shop, walk there (You get a few stares walking through town!) and have a session and back in a couple of hours.

Twas nicknamed the Chillies after there great song "Under the Bridge".

[GEORGEMP]

Any photos?

[kitemare]

I never bother with photos, it's the memories that count and we have had two memorable sessions down there already.