Paying to kitesurf at Derwent Reservoir?!!!!

[surfdoode2]

Is it true you have to pay to kitesurf at Derwent reservoir (North East england)? If so, why? Surely kitesurfing should be free!

[Evolutionkites]

Won't it just be horribly gusty?

[The Geoff]

If it's private land then the owners can charge for access, just because you've got a kite it doesn't give you any automatic rights! If you want free kitesurfing then you need to be below the mean tide line in the sea I believe (local authorities can prevent you setting up on the beach, but I think the law changes when you're beyond the mean tide line).

 

Reservoirs aren't particularly nice places to kite anyway, you tend to get all sorts of rubbish under the surface, freshwater carries some very interesting bugs, and you won't float as much when you're thrashing about. I'd stick to the sea if I were you.

[Dragnfly]

Are you sure kiting is allowed? It's a popular dingy sailing club there and I can't imagine for a minute they allow the likes of us to cause chaos there.

The wind would probably be gusty as hell too, isn't it right at the bottom of a load of hills?