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Whitstable Windsurfing Guide

General info

Suitability
beginner, intermediate, advanced
Beach faces
N
Best wind
W, NE
Tidal range
small
Shelving rate
gradual

Windsurfing ratings

Wave
Freestyle
Speed
Beginner

The North Kent stretch of the Thames Estuary is home to Whitstable, and the legendary Yacht Club. Whitstable bay provides great flat water to bump and jump sailing. It is good for learning, but fairly challenging, at low to mid tide you can stand up. At this stage of tide the water is pretty flat so makes for good blasting and freestyle.

Whitstable can be windsurfed in a wide variety of directions from SW through to N through to SE. At low tide a sandbar is exposed that creates an area of protected water that has in the past been used as a speed strip.

Features

The community aspect of the place is really good. There is a thriving yacht club with a great social scene and therefore plenty of windsurfers around. There is a nearby shop and school so it is a good place to get anyone into the sport.

Considerations

Because it is the mouth of an Estuary the tides or currents can be strong. It is possible to drift quite quickly so be weary of this. Launching at hightide can also have it problems because of the steeper beach.

Directions to Whitstable

Head towards Margate, about 6 miles from the motorway, turn off for Whitstable and look out for a place called Tankerton. Follow the road which veers sharply right and look for a left turn, this is the parking so park where you can.