(first post!)
Hey all, I'm currently working in London for the summer and am wondering if you could recommend any good places to go windsurfing at weekends? I learned in France so I don't know anything about the UK scene, and I don't have any kit except shoes and gloves (and a shorty wetsuit if it's warm enough!). I can plane (just about) and use the harness comfortably though. Would like to try wave stuff and possibly learning the basics of racing/slalom.
Do you know any good places not too far from central London (preferably under an hour's train cos work starts early on mondays) and not too expensive (student budget) to hire kit where I could go for all weekends until October? Do you recommend buying kit that early or should I wait til I can actually do cool stuff with a board?
Thanks in advance!

Unfortunately the UK isn't really set up for hiring kit... You will be able to hire kit through sailing clubs at lakes, but there are very few places that I know of on the coast that will allow you to hire anything... And if there is, then the kit isn't likely to be very modern.

So, you will probably be forced into buying kit whether you want to or not.

As far as places to go are concerned, I'll leave that up to someone from that neck of the woods, but there is quite a variety of South Coast locations... I wouldn't like to have to transport kit on the train though so you are going to need either a car, somewhere to store kit at the coast or someone to share a car with.

Good luck in your quest to get on the water.

Al.

You could try West Wittering Windsurf Club Its takes around 1 hour 45 on the train though and it ain't cheap - none are on the hire front - expensive business.
How about Ocean Motion Windsurfing Club They prefer that you have your own kit but give them a shout - trips from London every weekend... Check the site anyway and you could always tag along on a weekend without any kit or join to meet people who know the south coast - pick up some tips on hire/buy/locations
Al's right about the train/car/storage - not easy to lug all the kit around when you do buy.
And you may be waiting a while if you're going to wait until you've mastered all the cool wave stuff before you buy..

Ah cheers guys. Might have to buy some kit then! I would have done it eventually anyway. How much would total kit cost? Should I ask this in the kit section? How hard is it to lug around in the train etc - surely it's just about 25-30kg in total so not that much?
Thanks for your fast replies!

I'm afraid you'll have no chance luggin it all around on the train... Even if you were using small wave kit (which you won't be for a while) and only had one rig it would just be too big and bulky to take on the train.

In reality you'll need a bigger board and will probably end up wanted several sails, just too much to carry on the train.

One option of course would be to go kitesurfing instead, the boards are much smaller and lighter and the kites fit into a rucksack that you could carry on the train without too much difficulty.

As far as the cost of kit goes it varies dramtically depending on age and condition, but to get something half decent you'll be looking at 2nd hand prices of around £300 for a board and then probably £100 for a sail, £50 for a mast and £50 for a boom, plus all the attachments, harness etc it will probably set you back about £500-£600. You can of course get things much cheaper if you are willing to get older kit... I've just sold 3 sails, 2 booms and some attachments for £60!

The other option is to buy a new starter package from a shop, which will probably get you a board and rig for around £800.

Hope that helps.. Let us know what you decide to do and how you get on.

Al.

I think I'll probably wait til October and try and see if I can do stuff with other students (uni club has kit hire). I think it's probably better if I get a bit more experience under my belt before purchasing kit so I know what to get. That or learn to kite-surf. I just thought that like where I lived there was a possibility of going down to a local club and hiring kit and insurance for an affordable amount - that first club mentioned earlier was the price of a whole set of new kit just for a year!
Thanks for the advice anyway! Hopefully see you later in the year on the forum.

[Edited on 14-7-2006 by flying froggy]

Im hopefully gonna get to test your old kit out in France Al when the mistral blows through and its too windy for flying.
Let you know how I get on when I come back in 2 weeks

West Witt do hire kit - see johndoc's link. That's probably your best bet for sea sailing, although still difficult to get to without a car.

Alternatively you can sail on one of the lakes near to London e.g. Datchet or Brogborough. Obviously being inland the wind/conditions will be relatively crap.

quote:

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Originally posted by Harry
Obviously being inland the wind/conditions will be relatively crap.

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If you can get there Rye Water Sports is a great place to windsurf and learn and they have good moden kit to hire. The Lake is not far from the beach at Camber and so the wind is usualy good as its near the coast. The best wind direction to sail on the lake S, SW. E, NE, are also ok to sail directions on the Lake any other direction is ok for beginners.

Their web site is: www.ryewatersports.co.uk

Best bet is Hove Lagoon in Brighton which is only one hour from central London. You can hire kit and use it on the lagoon and if you are RYA Level 2 or above use the kit on the sea which is behind the lagoon. It is the only place on the south coast that lets you hire kit for sea use. You pay a monthly fee - like a gym style membership. Check out Lagoonwatersports.co.uk and clickon windsurfing.

quote:

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Originally posted by flying froggy
(first post!)
Hey all, I'm currently working in London for the summer and am wondering if you could recommend any good places to go windsurfing at weekends?

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OK, like 'rogerdodgersims' says its a very old post but the question is one that a lot of people living/working in London probably ask. Where can you go windsurfing that isn't too far from London, has decent wind & not too expensive to hire or take lessons?

I would 100% say the No 1 location to go windsurfing at for those living/working in London is Poole Harbour. It has some of the best windsurfing the UK has to offer & progression is almost certain with the shallow, safe learning environment!

Adding to this is the fact that you can get to Poole in approx. 1 hour 20 minutes from south London!

If anyone wants more info about this great location just ask or have a look on the Poole Windsurfing school website, which has a lot of information & even a blog that posts regular articles about windsurfing technique, equipment, bargain buys, travel & more!

For windsurfing lessons / windsurf hire Poole Windsurfing will have brand new kit for the 2010 season, with 15 years teaching experience, small groups & reasonable prices.

Hope this is helpful to all those trapped in London!



[Edited on 3-1-2010 by Poole Windsurfing]

[Edited on 3-1-2010 by Poole Windsurfing]

Hi,

Not sure about the kite, but there are plenty of windsurfing places. Nearest one is in south-end. East beach is famous for kite and wind surfing. Check out essex kitesurfing club website.

Imran