dfec Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Hi, this is my first post. I've been watching everybodys threads and thought it was about time I wrote. I'm quite new to this and I've been trying my luck at camber, I can get up on the board and I'm getting quite successful at riding down wind. Im thinking of going to Poole harbour for the weekend, if anyone's got any advice on best beach/ tides it would be much appreciated. Can anyone recommend a good instructor? Cheers Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Hi dfec, welcome to kitecrowd. I don't know where your situated but what I would say is, Poole harbour has to be one of the most awful places I've kitesurfed especially at a weekend and especially if its kitesurfing weather. Firstly, the launch/land area is tiny, rubbish strewn and dangerous. Secondly, its absolutely full of down wind noobs. I don't mean riding, I mean standing and crashing kites. Thirdly, if you don't get the tides right, it can be bone dry. Fourthly, it can be so horrendously choppy and gusty. I would go if theres no wind and it was raining. At least you'll be safe. If you insist on going, fine but its not the sort of place that will be helpful when its busy. I'm a reasonable rider, nothing fancy, but I've never had a good experience there. I always say I'll never go back. Where do you live? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfec Posted November 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 I admire your honesty Mick thats funny. I'm based in Kent, rochester, yourself? Where would you suggest going along the south coast? Thanks for any advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Blimey I'm in Coventry, the furthest place from the coast in the known universe. Even further than the middle of the Sahara desert to the coast. FACT !!! Even the middle of Asia. Well it seems so Looking on google maps I would have thought you'de be better at Camber or Sarf end. (thats how you lot say it aint it.? ) From what I can make out Southend is very flat water but a bit of a walk. Littlehampton and Shoreham are good but I'm not sure noob friendly. I'd head for Camber. It seems a good bunch of guys there as well. I meant to post this link. Keep it on your desk top and have a look tomorrow. Its good. >>>http://www.intheelements.com/blog/webcam/poole-harbour-webcam/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trissy B Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 I'll never go back. Haha, didnt like it then!?! Id agree really.... it is a great safe place to learn but its stacked full of people! Wouldn't go to shoreham to learn unless its dead low. Lancing is very good to learn on a low, as is Littlehampton. Lancing gets really busy but i dont think thats going to be a problem untill may now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g0nz01599968659 Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Some good spot guide information starting to appear here - kitesurfinguk. It does need more contributions to really make it work though. I'd also say save the petrol & learn your local coast line - that's ultimately where you'll end up doing most of your kiting. Don't get stuck in a rut of going to the same couple of busy beaches with everyone else. Look for options, ask questions, check the tides, work out the wind directions, go exploring. Local kiters & shops/instructors will be a great resource as they have been there longer & will be able to pass on some good information. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfec Posted November 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Thanks for the pointers , I'm looking for somewhere with a bit flatter water than camber as the last few visits it's been very choppy and although great fun taking off on the top of the waves it's quite a lot to deal with all at once Perhaps I should just struggle on and stop being a baby By the way just looking into going to el gouna for Christmas I've herd it's good anyone else going ? Or know any where else to go ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markbrosnan78 Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Camber can be choppy most of the time. Minster in Sea us supposed to be alright, near you but I've not been there myself. A few of the Essex boys are planning a trip there next weekend of decent Northerlies. Southend is brilliant for newbies especially East Beach. Low tide can be a bit of a jaunt but the lagoon is perfectly flat and you can ride the tide back in as it's waist deep until about 90 mins from high tide. If the winds good there is normally a few people out even midweek. When you progress you can move round to Shoeburyness common beach (Toms) a little bit more challenging but still quite flat. There are always qualified instructors about and everyone is friendly and helpful. I you want a buddy out there and a guide hit up the local forum and someone will shoe you around and head out with you. http://www.sxkiteaddicts.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trissy B Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Whitstable is very close to you isnt it??, was there 2 weeks ago on a NE. Very flat and a massive area of waist deep water at low tide, enough room for the 40 odd people out that day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtreme playboy Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Hi dfec, welcome to kitecrowd. I don't know where your situated but what I would say is, Poole harbour has to be one of the most awful places I've kitesurfed especially at a weekend and especially if its kitesurfing weather. Firstly, the launch/land area is tiny, rubbish strewn and dangerous. Secondly, its absolutely full of down wind noobs. I don't mean riding, I mean standing and crashing kites. Thirdly, if you don't get the tides right, it can be bone dry. Fourthly, it can be so horrendously choppy and gusty. I would go if theres no wind and it was raining. At least you'll be safe. If you insist on going, fine but its not the sort of place that will be helpful when its busy. I'm a reasonable rider, nothing fancy, but I've never had a good experience there. I always say I'll never go back. Where do you live? Mick how dare you slag off the place i live !!! thats for me to do lol Poole harbour or rather Sandbanks is full of DFL's (down from fkin London) all the gear and no idea poser's paradise, now i dont kite surf iam a landie(for my sins) but iam often cycling past at the weekends , i think mike might be wright the lauch/land area is not big , as for rubbish well thats your dfls again city mentallity , you want to see Bournemouth beach after a good day with crockles(dfls)anyway thats another subject . Dangerous ........ oh yeah you get it wrong or kite loop it, your in the rd !! always good for me on the mtb objects to swerve round go over , seriously theres been a few accidents but if the tide is out then its not so bad , choppy and gusty nah its not that bad , it you have some experience, mick should be used to gusty living where he does ! lol i buggy at baiter just round the harbour and a few of the really local dudes say it s gusty but hey iam just 10 mls inland and we have real gusty conditions at my local , dont we boys !! they came out the other day to see what real flying is like lol coastal flying is a breeze. Now i kayak surf in the big stuff and the kiters are out channel side when thats kicking and its a bit more than chop , so point being chop will hone your skills for the big fun stuff , the harbour is sheltered just ripples. But dont get put off the views are stunning and if you come down for the Animal wind fest theres wall to wall surf chicks tagging along with the dfl's and their vw transporter show ponies. I know a few local kite surfers so pm if you come down i can see if i can get you a contact Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Oy XP, I kite inland and am well used to gusty stuff but last November when the wind was blowing nowt to 35 and back again from the East, Poole was the most crap place to be. The wind was coming over the buildings. Certainly the harbour was horrid. The sea was ok. It took 6 months for my elbow joints to heal. As for chop. The wind blown waves bounce off the wall and hit more chop. Horrid ! I aint sellin it well at all am I? I won't ever go down there again. EVER. I'd still head for Sarfend if Mark can tell us where we can park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markbrosnan78 Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Day parking at East Beach is fine. If anyones coming this way give me a shout and I will get some car park keys ready. Toms has parking next to the slipway. For landies head to Essex Kite Park and parking is free. Overnight parking is the only issue. If you have your own toilet facilities then you're ok it's just if you don't as the council like to close everything for the winter. If the worst came to the worst I'm sure the kite park guys would let you stay there overnight in a van or tent and they have toilets and showers. The only bad thing about kite surfing in Southend is that there has been no wind for two weeks and it's making everyone miserable. If they picked up a landboard and headed out with me they would find that it's not too big an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfec Posted November 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Woow that's a lot to take in thanks dont think ill be going to poole .Trissy your right i don't live far from whitstable, i thought it was only good for southerlies ill have to give it a look cheers!! But thanks Mark for your comments i would defiantly be up for a trip to south-end sounds perfec ill be keeping a close eye on wind guru with my fingers crossed and my lucky pants on hoping it ill change Is there any wind any where? !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markbrosnan78 Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Not in Sarfend today. 4-6mph max and not looking much better for the rest of the week... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfec Posted November 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Crap its November should be windy every day still i'm going to have a word with him up stairs and see what he can do for Saturday and Sunday....if England can win two games in a row it should be no problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markbrosnan78 Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Lol. Miracles do happen. You'd never know it was November. Only just started to get cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistral1 Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Defec I am based in just down the road from you in Gillingham and we have lots of choice without going down to poole you just have to be a bit selective about the conditions and state of the tide. Although Camber can be choppy if you go at low wated and sail on a rising tide there is usually an hour or so of flat water somewhere along theh beach In a N or NE Mister is brilliant its best 3 hours either side of low water but you get loads of flat waist deep water. As someone else mentioned Whitstable/Tankerton works in a NW once again Shallow and flat and on those rare SE days Greatstone is abslutely ideal as long as you don't mind a bit of a walk. Let me know if you want more info Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtreme playboy Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Oy XP, I kite inland and am well used to gusty stuff but last November when the wind was blowing nowt to 35 and back again from the East, Poole was the most crap place to be. The wind was coming over the buildings. Certainly the harbour was horrid. The sea was ok. It took 6 months for my elbow joints to heal. As for chop. The wind blown waves bounce off the wall and hit more chop. Horrid ! I aint sellin it well at all am I? I won't ever go down there again. EVER. I'd still head for Sarfend if Mark can tell us where we can park. oh man up mick ! and they call us southern softies , play with kites you are going to get sore elbows . Poole harbour in an Easterlie Mick ???? what were you thinking ? probably the worst direction to pop your kite up in so not suprised it was horrid sounds like you had a high tide for the chop to be bouncing off the wall that bad and with the wind from the east being in the lee of the hill and buildings the water should nt have been that bad,so mick never say never come down again in a south westerly , i will sell it to you lol now what if i said theres lots of naked women on a lovely naturist beach(studland) just round the corner , would you come then ? (oh that sounds so wrong asking you that lol )well if you EVER find yourself forced into driving down give us a shout Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solastsummer Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Indeed easterly is an aweful wind direction for Poole Harbour It can be a good place to kitesurf during the week when it is less busy and the wind is right Granted at the weekend with a good wind it is mental down there with all the schools etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick Posted November 17, 2011 Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 Well XP, I'd driven 170 miles and was determined to get wet. The wind was strong and horrid but it was safe. My arms are ok now. The last time there was about 1 month ago and my kite suffered £90 of damage from being crashed nearly onto the road. I hate that place. As for hundreds of naked girlies. Well hardly likely to affect me is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtreme playboy Posted November 17, 2011 Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 Well XP, I'd driven 170 miles and was determined to get wet. The wind was strong and horrid but it was safe. My arms are ok now. The last time there was about 1 month ago and my kite suffered £90 of damage from being crashed nearly onto the road. I hate that place. As for hundreds of naked girlies. Well hardly likely to affect me is it? well girlie watching might be cheaper by the sounds of it ! Then again ive only got one @ home and she proves quite expensive at times .... i d rather get spanked by my new blade thats coming lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick Posted November 18, 2011 Report Share Posted November 18, 2011 well girlie watching might be cheaper by the sounds of it ! Then again ive only got one @ home and she proves quite expensive at times .... i d rather get spanked by my new blade thats coming lol Well I've been spanked loads of times by my Blade so send the gal round. I'm lubed and waiting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtreme playboy Posted November 18, 2011 Report Share Posted November 18, 2011 Well I've been spanked loads of times by my Blade so send the gal round. I'm lubed and waiting. only if you promise to keep her - no returns , free to an abusive home. OBE.... out of bloody earshot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted January 12 Report Share Posted January 12 On 11/16/2011 at 12:30 AM, mick said: Oy XP, I kite inland and am well used to gusty stuff but last November when the wind was blowing nowt to 35 and back again from the East, Poole was the most crap place to be. The wind was coming over the buildings. Certainly the harbour was horrid. The sea was ok. It took 6 months for my elbow joints to heal. As for chop. The wind blown waves bounce off the wall and hit more chop. Horrid ! I aint sellin it well at all am I? I won't ever go down there again. EVER. I'd still head for Sarfend if Mark can tell us where we can park. As a local Poole is all about tide height and wind direction and going when the DFL's can't . At a big high then yes the the chip bounces off the walk and it's horrible. But you get long sessions with perfect beginner/intermediate conditions and on a midweek afternoon term time you can have the place to yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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