Hi,
I'm new on here.
Just wondering if somebody can give us the low down on kiting in the Estuary?

What is Good/safe (time in relation to tides & forecast wind dirction & strengths)?
It is a complete No No in a falling tide?

Also is there a recognised launch/land area?

May visit Thur/Fri this week.
Any local knowledge gratefully recieved.

Cheers
Dave

Hi Dave, and welcome to Forces-of-Nature.

The dyfi estuary is a pretty large place with quite a few distinct places to kite from. I'll leave it up to Shem to tell you in detail the places to launch from on the Aberdovey side, but you are indeed correct that the tide can race out through the channel on that side of the estuary so it can be a pretty dodgy place to be whilst the tide is ebbing... All is not lost though because you can launch from further along the beach towards Graveyards and kitesurf in the lagoons there.

You can also kite from the Ynyslas side of the estuary at most states of the tide, although at low tide there isn't much water on anything but neap tides.. It is pretty safe over that side of the estuary though even when the tide is going out... Although it does of course still pay to be careful and not go out on your own.

One other little piece of local knowledge you may need to be aware of is the mad NE wind that we often get, especially at this time of year... he is affectionately known as Ivor and you have to experience it to believe it... If there is a NE forecast than it can be absolutely honking, especially on the Ynyslas side of the estuary, so don't be fooled into seeing a 10 knot forecast and turning up with only your big kite.... It could well be 30 knots plus!

See you on the water.

Al.

Hi, The estuary is great for kiting, however. Stay away from boats at aberdyfi side. Also the rips there are huge, so dont ride tide and wind in same direction. If you cant stay up wind or water re launch, dont go in.

The lagoons just north from the estuaru are safe for any conditions and shallow. If your down this side and want to be shown round, Im always around.

Hi Guys
Thanks for the replies.

We are more likely to go to the Ynyslas side.
"so don't ride tide and wind in same" does this apply to both sides?

I've heard about the NE blow. What is the min forecast wind strength to warrant a visit? (it's 2 1/2 hours drive for me).

Cheers Dave

The don't ride with tide and wind in the same direction on the Ynyslas side will depend on how good you are.... The fact that you are in a pretty enclosed bay or channel means that it should be OK if you know what you are doing, but the current still rips out at ite a speed so you could get washed out into the main channel and then out to sea so as always it depends on your skill level.

As far as a minimum forecast goes then it isn't quite that easy. The NE can blow when there is no wind forecast at all, especially first thing in the morning around this time of year. often it can be 25 knots in the estuary, but in Borth just a mile or so down the road it can be completely still. The forecast for the weekend just gone was around 10 knots and it was 25-30 knots most of the time... If you get here and there is no wind then just enjoy a day on the coast.

Al.