Top Windsurf Hotspots

We asked future windsurfing legend and team member at OTC Weymouth Scotty Stallman to share his top UK windsurfing spots with us, and here are his favourite four.

Osprey Quay (Portland)

Portland Harbour known for its easy sailing conditions, fantastic learning opportunities and spectacular speed sailing days. It is home to the famed "Weymouth Speed Week” and hosts many huge sailing events. In a prevailing wind, SW, it blows over the pebble bank of Chesil resulting in windy and flat water close to the beach, perfect for blasting up and down all day long.

On its day, provided it being windy enough, the run down the beach turns into a speed strip where you’ll find some of the fastest windsurfers and kitesurfers in the UK pushing their limits. The spot is enclosed by the Harbour wall maintaining it as a very safe spot, at low spring tides there are a few sandbanks to be made aware of.

Wind Direction: Best wind conditions SW/W but is sailable in all wind directions.
Water Conditions: Flat water

Marazion

Marazion, located in West Cornwall, near Penzance. It’s an epic wave location featuring a massive bay (Mounts Bay) with the stunning backdrop of St Michael’s Mount.

The bay works well, best in a South Westerly , W or SE but handles many directions. Marazion is generally quite wavey, great spot for wave riding when the conditions are right, for windsurfers Kiters and Foil Wing.

There is a cafe at the Marazion Car Park, plus plenty of shops in Marazion.

Wind Direction: Works in nearly every wind direction/best in a SW/W or SE
Water Conditions: Wave spot
Beach Type: Sand

gwithian

Gwithian is a top, if not the top wave sailing spot in the UK. Popular for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.

The most common sailed winds are from the South and West. Combined with swell these can give amazing port tack conditions.

Gwithian seems to pick up a lot more swell than the more sheltered beaches to the south of the Bay. In a Southerly, Gwithian will give you a classic riding day, from knee to mast high.

Wind Direction: S/SSW/WSW/W - More westerly for good waves
Water Conditions: Wave spot
Beach Type: Sand

WEST KIRBY BEACH (marine lake)

Hailed as one of the most reliable venues in the North West for great conditions. West Kirby has essentially two spots: It has a massive beach (Dee Estuary) - tonnes of room for safe launching and landing.

Then there is the Maine Lake, epic speed sailing destination!! (Seriously world class.) Basically the closer to the wall you go the flatter the water and the faster you go... assuming your nerve doesn't break first.

Wind Direction: N/SSE/S/SSW/SW/WSW/W/NW/NNW
Water Conditions: Great flat water spot
Beach Type: N/A