Wind and Surf Guide

'Offical Guide'

From South West Surf beaches clockwise.......                             .

Brightstone

For sailing and surfing this one of the best spots and can really 'go off'.

The small cliff walk down takes some negotiating but it is well worth it for uncrowded great wavesailing and surfing. It is peaceful and very rare to even sail with anyone else, although it is a bit more popular for surfers. Remember to take all your gear down the cliff as it is a longer walk back up! The wind is also deceptive here so take another sail choice down with you if sailing.

Quick Guide.

Access- Good. Car park but no other amenities. Very close and on the cliff overlooking is a cafe(no wetsuits) open all year combined with the 'Pearl Factory'.

Sideshore-E / W

Level- Intermediate to advanced.

Wave conditions - Gets very good ground swells being on the west side of the Island and generally the biggest of all the spots. In S/SW storms it gets very big in wind/ground swells and if the wind switches to the west it is without doubt the place to sail.

General conditions- Great place to wave sail with long peaky rides and reforming sections. Excellent jumping with long run-ups. Cross-off in a NW with smooth faces and good sized waves. Best sailed 2-3 hours either side of high due to very shallow areas and exposed rock shelves. Can also be sailed in East winds for port tack sideshore but less chance off big waves. Fun for summer course racing but it is a long walk down the cliff so you will be better off sailing further down at Brook.

Surfing- With a good ground swell and either no wind or slight offshore N/ NE is one of the heaviest waves. Long paddle out but well worth it with long rides and steep fast drops. Watch out for the peaky clean-up sets though as they break heavy.

Tide- A bit more of a problem here due to rock shelves. At high especially on springs there is very little room for gear and rigging but enough room to walk back if you break something.

Current- Not really a problem. You can drift down but only when continuously hammered by the big sets.

Brook

Not so far down the road but it's an easier park and rig. The national trust car park overlooks the sailing and is an easy walk and some 30 yards from the waters edge. The wave are long and clean breaking for miles out to sea.

Access-Very good. Plenty of parking. No toilets or cafe.

Sideshore- SE / NW

Level- Intermediate to Advanced.

Wave conditions- Gets ground swells and wind swells. Can get big and best on an up coming tide as with most ground swell spots.

General conditions-One of the most popular west side spots. Waves are smooth with good gaps between them making it an easy and fun place to sail. Best direction is NW although many sailors will come here on a Westerly due to the ease of access, rigging and less powerful waves. On a big day and NW can be great for long downwind rides. Also a very good jumping spot with long run-ups.

Surfing- Not so good as either Compton or Brook due to waves being slower and breaking further out.

Tide- Best 2-3 hours either side of high due to very rocky bottom. It can be sailed at all states of tide but be very careful at low water even a few hundred metres offshore.

Current- Not a problem, but fairly strong rip inshore on the bigger days.

The main surfing spot on the Island.

Access- Very good. Parking, summer toilets and cafe. The best place for viewing from the car.

Sideshore- SSE / NW

Level- Intermediate to advanced

Wave Conditions- When it has a cross -off to hold up the faces can produce great wave riding. Needs a SE or NNW to be perfect. With a big ground swell or Easterly wind swell a top spot to sail.

General conditions- Gets the majority of ground swell. It is rocky but not too bad and a good winter wavesailing spot with the right wind direction. Hollow long waves with good aerial sections, and steep jumping ramps. Not such a popular spot as a small cliff negotiation is needed.

Surfing- The main spot. Gets very busy on weekends. Needs a slight off-shore or no wind to hold the faces up as they tend to close out otherwise. Best on rising half tide.

Tide- Can go out some 50 yards on spring tides but not normally a problem. Rocky bottom.

Current- Minimal. Strong inshore rip on the bigger days.

Freshwater Bay

Access- Very good. Close to town. Good parking, toilets, cafes, hotel and beach.

Sailing- None due to being a sheltered bay by huge white chalk cliffs.

Surfing- When there is a big swell this is the best spot on the Island. Very long rides right across the bay from a perfect point break. Hollow sections and steep take-offs in front of the rocks. Great scenery. Usually un-crowded. Sheltered on three sides it faces SW.

Current- Strong rip on big swells inshore but rip takes you out after this so the paddle is fairly easy.

Tide- Small.

Access- Good. Car park, toilets, cafes, and summer Windsurf school.

Sideshore- SW / NE

Level- Beginner to Intermediate / Advanced.

Wave conditions- Good onshore riding in the tidal race with wind against tide but fairly hazardous for breakages. Can get good for jumping in strong onshore west winds. Virtually no ground swell gets in here.

General conditions- Very good for intermediates with clean wind and flat inshore water. Very choppy in the channel but good for blasting. Strong currents and busy shipping lanes.

Current- Very strong and quite dangerous in the channel.

Tide - Small.

Gurnard

Access- Good

Sideshore-NE / SW

Level-Beginner to Intermediate

Wave conditions- No ground swell but good wind against tide chop.

General conditions- Good blasting area with busy shipping lanes and strong currents. Inshore the water is flat and good for learning. Out in the channel it gets good for chop jumping.

Current - Strong.

Tide- Very little

The yachting center of Britain

General- Not a usually windsurfed area due to a very busy shipping and sailing presence and strong tides. There are no waves, short chop and strong currents.

If you are intermediate/ advanced it is fun to sail from here during Cowes Week and get in amongst the yachts but watch out during the racing as they do not like windsurfers getting in their way.

If you are here and want to sail go around the corner and just sail from Gurnard.

Cowes Week is the first week in August each year and is a must. There are hundreds of yachts and thousands of entrants, spectators and visitors. Beer tents abound and the general atmosphere for some two to three weeks surrounding the event is one of great fun, relaxing and partying to the sound of live groups in the open air marina. Put this one on your calendar.

A weeks prior to Cowes Week is the annual 'Round the Island' yacht race which is the largest attended race in the world and a week preceding Cowes Week is the Offshore Power Boat Championship.

All in all Cowes is buzzing from mid-July to end August and always a fun place to check out night and day.

Ryde

Boasting its long white sand beach all the way to Seaview this is a popular summer beach being in very close proximity to the Islands' second largest town.

The mainland is very close here in more ways than one. The tidal effect is so large you feel that you could walk to the mainland at low water.

'Going Underground'- Less of a risk for getting the feet damp is the main passenger catamaran ferry to Portsmouth which runs from the end of the long pier. This makes for great mainland access and the whole set-up is connected by the Islands' train network of ex-underground trains. These have the unusual and probably unique rattles and jolts (over the entire distance to Shanklin) that only an Island train would have and a must to try out for a laugh on the rainy days. Bring a seat belt.

If you get as far as Havenstreet without being jolted off the train there is an excellent Old Steam Engine collection and definitely one for the train-spotter's diary. Bring your anorak.

If you are wanting to go out in the evening there are many local pubs here and one of the main Island night-clubs the Balcony.

Access- Very good. Car parking, toilets, cafes, town very close by.

Sideshore-NW / SE

Level-Beginner to intermediate

Wave conditions - Can get quite rough but relies solely on wind swell for waves.

General conditions- Good blasting area and intermediate jumping spot when the gales blow. Long sandy Solent beach but a very long walk at low water. Best time to sail would be two hours either side of high water.

Current - Medium. Not a problem for sailing.

Tide- Big tides with a few hundred yards to walk out at low water. Great for land based yachting or landsailing.

Seaview

Another Solent spot Seaview is not connected by trains you might be glad to know but is a quaint town frequented by the yachting fraternity. It is peaceful with great vies across to the mainland and although not the best area for Windsurfing it does have some top secluded beaches that are especially great for those with boats. You can walk along the coast all the way on to Bembridge and this probably the best way to see the coast otherwise as parking and even finding the entrances down to the smaller beaches is difficult.

Quick Guide

Access- Good in the winter but limited parking in the summer. Seasonal toilets and cafe. Yacht club.

Sideshore- NNW / SE

Level-Beginner to intermediate

General Conditions- A flat water spot for blasting or Solent cruising. Very nice beach for the family and picturesque spot for learning.

Current - Medium in the channel but inside the bay very little current.

Tide- This the only spot in the area where you can sail at any state of the tide. At low water it gets rocky for the launch though.

A few miles down the coast and around the harbour mouth leads you to Bembridge.

There is a strong windsurfing community and club here, and nearly always someone out sailing. The atmosphere is very relaxed as conditions suit the intermediate and summer learner. With the great cafe facilities open all year at the ' cafe' for a warm up it is another bonus draw.

In the summer the beach popular with it's white sand and facing the dunes of St. Helens just over the other side of the Harbour. The tide goes out along way here much like Ryde and great fun for land- sailing or simply just taking the horse for a ride.

It is easy for parking as you can drive up onto the waters edge virtually and there is plenty of room for all.

If you are over on the boat instead this is a place to moor up with plenty of room in the natural harbour. The two sailing clubs also have a regular racing circuit.

Quick Guide

Access- Very good. Car park on the beach, cafe, seasonal toilets, two pubs and town close by.

Sideshore- NW/ ESE

Level- Beginner to Intermediate

Wave conditions- No ground swell gets in here so it relies on wind generated swell. It can get quite good for jumping though during the easterly gales in particular.

General conditions- Flat water spot for cruising and learning. Great for practising the carve gybes, waterstarts, or course slalom coast runs. Best to sail around the tides due to a long walk at low water. Some will sail here even at low tide but it gets a bit rocky inshore. At half tide it is a superb spot to learn water-starting due to the fact that you can stand up in waist depth for 50 metres out.

Current- Not a problem but watch out for the offshore SW winds taking you out into the shipping lanes.

Tide- Fair walk at low water and best to sail a few hours around high water.

Forelands

A bit more secluded and harder to find this area is very picturesque with the white chalk cliffs at one end of the beach and the huge channel ferries coming very close in here seemingly just missing the rock shelves that abound.

The beach side has a small seasonal cafe and a few scattered character beach huts and it is another fun place to hang out especially during the summer months.

At low water you cannot sail here but the beach becomes an expanse of rocky shelves and white sand coves great for exploration further south and around the headland towards the dinosaur region and red cliffs of Yaverland.

 Access- Good. Small car park, pub, seasonal cafe.

Sideshore- NE / SW

Level- Beginner to advanced.

Wave conditions- Can get fun but relies on wind swell with a little bit of wrap round ground swell getting in on the big days. Good reef break with steep waves and a long run-up for jumping.

General conditions- You can sail at all states if tide but it is very rocky on low water. Good for learning due to flat water pool. Winter jumping practise is fun on the reef some hundred metres out with a predictable small steep wave. Never gets busy for sailing and the scenery is superb. the family can sit and watch and be sheltered from the wind.

Current- Medium.

Tide- A bit of a walk at low water and very rocky. Best to sail two hours either side of high but good for summer learning at half tide.

You can see Forelands just to the west of here and at low water walk there with ease or move around the white cliff headland to Yaverland. Be careful the tide is not on the way if trying to navigate the headland as many people have had problems here. The cliffs are far too difficult for non-experienced climbers to handle.

If you just want to lie on the beach and soak up summer rays then it is very secluded here and sheltered in most winds.

Access- Difficult. Small car park. Seasonal cafe, toilets, and Holiday Park.

Surfing- No sailing here but during an onshore gale from the south/south east this sheltered bay throws up a fun steep wave with a good bit of a kick to it. It rarely works but it is one of the only sheltered spots to surf in this direction wind.

Yaverland is one of the most popular spots for all levels of sailing. It is easy to launch from and side shore in the prevailing wind. Rigging is sand free on the open green, there is extensive car parking, good viewing grounds for spectators and families, and a sailing club for those in need of a shower or a beer. Just opposite the sailing venue is the Island's Zoo and you'll often see the tiger cubs being taken for walks along the beach.

Quick guide

Access- Large beach area. Very good access. Car park, toilets, cafe(seasonal), pub(seasonal),Sailing club.

Sideshore wind- E / SW

Level- Beginner-Advanced

Wave conditions- Flat water in offshore NE-NW. Very rough in strong E right round to SW winds. The swell is mainly wind induced although it gets a slight wrap round ground swell also. It is best two hours either side of the high tide but you can sail at all states of tide.

General conditions- One of the best all-round spots. Good sea breezes in summer and great for learning to coastal cruising. Rough and a very popular wave-sailing venue in the storms.

Surfing- Wind swell right hand beach break at 'Wight City' after SW gales swing to W-NW. Wind swell also after strong E wind.

Tide- Not a problem. Very few rocks and only small tides. Strong inshore rip on Easterly but otherwise quite slack. Strong tidal race 3 miles up-wind to the west end of the bay around the headland to take heed of for those who like to go on coastal runs.

Just below the main town of Sandown which is the biggest tourism area on the Island the beach is long and sandy leading up to the Pier at one end and then the promenade. You can see Yaverland to the East and Shanklin to the West from here as all are encompassed into the large 5 mile wide Sandown Bay.

During the summer the beach is packed and the night life bustles. One of the Islands main night-clubs is situated here and there are many pubs and bars.

In the winter months the place transforms into a quiet seasonal coastal town, and when the gales arrive the ocean transforms into a frenzy creating yet another venue where the wave sailing can be excellent.

Sandown (east) Quick guide

Access- Large beach area. Good but limited summer parking. Cafes, toilet. Very close to main town.

Sideshore wind- NE/SSW

level- Beginner to advanced

Wave conditions- Flat from N-NW. NE and SSW strong winds produce very good wave-sailing. It is one of the few good wave spots on a NE wind.

General conditions- Good winter wave spot and flat in summer. Busy in the season with tourists due to the close proximity to the main town and therefore the majority sail from Yaverland. Good sea breezes in the summer but very gusty( better at Yaveralnd)

Surfing- Wind swell beach break. Best just to the E under the pier or for long-boarding outside 'Wight City', after SW gales swing W-NW. Can also be fun after E gales.

Tide- Small tide and no rocks. Watch out for the breakwaters though. Strong inshore rips and fairly heavy dumping waves in winter storms.

Sandown(West of pier)

The main attraction is the long floodlit promenade that stretches overshadowed by

cliffs all the 2 miles to Shanklin. Walk to the top via the cliff paths for scenic views of the bay.

The largest windsurfing/canoeing school is based here under the cliffs of Lake offering safe and sheltered conditions for learning. Summer sea breezes are protected here inshore making it an ideal place to cruise and sunbathe whilst watching the sailing.

If you sail out for a summer sea breeze coast run maybe stop off here, relax, hit the cafe and get your energy and bottle up before a fast exhilarating downwind run back past the pier ( or through it).

Quick guide

Access- By foot only. Cafes(seasonal).

Sailing- Great for first time learning only really. White Water's school based here has an excellent set-up offering lessons. Also they have canoes, surf boards and boogie boards for hire during the season.

Keep walking from Sandown along the promenade or drive a few miles around and you'll find the town of Shanklin and it's promenade. The town is a fair walk away up the cliff 1/2 mile inland.

There used to a pier here as well but the hurricane winds blew it down in the late eighties so well that it never had a hope to be saved or re-built. The surf was pumping that day but the pier was the only one taking it on and it lost.

Summer tourism is all-over the Island and no less here with a very busy summer scene and good shopping, restaurant and pub life.

Quick Guide

Access- Good. Nice beach area. Car park with very limited space and busy during the season. Cafe, toilets.

Sideshore wind- S / NNE

Level- Intermediate

Wave conditions- Flat from NW- W. Waves produced by onshore wind swells. Can get quite rough in S or NNE gales.

General Conditions- Rarely sailed due to the same side shore conditions also being available at Sandown(East side) with cleaner wind and better waves. Due to high cliffs wind is usually quite gusty.

Surfing- Busy surf spot due to sheltered point in SW gales producing wind swell and fun right hand beach break.

Tide - Small tide. Quite a few rocks at low and bad for fins. Strong inshore rip in the winter gales Tidal race of the point 1/2 mile out with very strong current so watch out if you are on the course boards even on the calm days or you might well end up in Ventnor.

Once connected to the Islands train route this now more isolated town attracts many tourists with it's quaint sea front and character. In bygone days many would come and live here on doctors orders for the fresh clean and healthy air.

Again a pier used to stretch out from the east end of the promenade but that has also long since gone creating a much safer sailing environment downwind.

No need to look out for wind shelters here when spectating as the main and most lively pub is situated just upwind (below the cliff car park)on the beach giving the option for the perfect viewing gallery whilst sipping your drink.

It can be classic sailing here and equally as fun for surfing in the normally uncrowded waters.

Quick Guide

Access- Good. Car park, toilets, pubs and town very close by.

Sideshore- NE / SW

Level- Intermediate to advanced

Wave conditions- This is the first main beach to get a fair share of the ground swells. Very rough in NE-W gales especially combined with a good ground swell.

General Conditions- Great wave spot for those who are confident in heavy shore break and shallow low tide reef breaks. One hour either side of spring high tide the waves tend to fade out but any other tidal state is good. It is shallow at low water but most rocks can be easily seen (you will soon find the others). Bring a spare fin. When working in SW/W is one of the best Island spots for wave-sailing enthusiasts.

Surfing- Popular right hand reef break. Sucky and fast and can get to a good size. Mostly surfed when Niton is blown-out in a SW wind.

Tide- Small tide and rocky. Current medium/strong. Strong inshore rip in gales.

After the beautiful 'undercliff' drive from Ventnor for some 4 miles, you will have passed the 'Botanic gardens ' full off wonderful flowers and walks, the 'bird park', the 'glass and pottery factory' and more before you find yourself very much in an out of the way spot where not only is it hard to find the beach access but hard even to believe it has beach access. Search around not too far though and you'll still find a great little country pub retreat over-looking the coast.

The coast is so rocky it even boasts a lighthouse at St Catherines', but negotiate the narrow winding and very much un-built road and you will come to overlook a very small rocky beach with a few hardy fisherman boats risking a narrow channel and strong tidal conditions.

More to the point it is a peaceful spot with a small bay and a great fun surf and sailing spot for those who require sailing very much alone far away from any crowds. For non-water enthusiasts the cliff walk is a must and will lead you all the way to Blackgang Chine and the vast expanse of steep sided shingle the lends to be aptly named Whale beach.

Quick Guide

Access- Bad. It is difficult to find with a rough road and very little parking when you get there. No facilities except a few seasonal caravans and small cafe.

Sideshore- WSW / NE

Level- Intermediate to advanced

Wave Conditons- Open to the ground swells. In a fresh/strong SW the wind-swell whips up very quickly. It can also get large swell from NE winds. The wave is fast, powerful, and with good hollow sections.

General conditions- Best sailing is on a SW wind that blows cleanly in to give slightly onshore conditions but fun sailing. You would normally only sail here when you either require quiet un-crowded sailing or when the waves at the other SW side shore beaches are a bit small for you. When it is good here it will also be good at Ventnor. The launch is very rocky and at high tide you need to swim out over the boulders for some 20feet or so to get into clean wind. The best sailing is low- half tide where the waves break over a sand bar. The rip inshore is very strong but keeping upwind in a SW is not a problem. There is virtually no beach access downwind on high spring tides so beware.

Surfing- One of the most frequented spots. You can get ground swell here and on any SW storm there will be waves here. As soon as the wind switches W the bay becomes sheltered and the waves peel off around the point. Easy to predict a good surf and can get quite big. Do not surf on flooding tide until around 21/2 hours before high water; the rip inshore is too strong to paddle against on the bigger days.

Tide- Small tides. Very rocky launch areas but sand bar where waves break. Bring a spare fin though. There are Strong inshore rips and a tidal race just off the point with rough waters and very strong tides.