Windsurfing in Weymouth

A Guide to windsurfing in Weymouth and Portland by Helen Bramah. 

Venue for the sailing and windsurfing at London 2012, home to some of the UK’s top female (and male) windsurfers, Weymouth is undoubtedly a world class windsurfing destination.  It is a regular feature on the UKWA circuit and in October every year hosts the legendary Weymouth Speed Week.   

There are also great conditions for beginners and improvers, with windsurf hire and tuition available for all levels.  There’s a really friendly local windsurfing scene and a choice of beaches depending on the winds and tides.

So whether you’re an aspiring Olympian, a freestyle queen, a wave junkie or a total novice, Weymouth has something for you – and there will always be plenty of other girls on the water to keep you company.

Spot guide

The two main sailing areas are Portland Harbour for flat water, and Weymouth Bay for waves.  

Portland Harbour

Conditions

The harbour can be sailed in all wind directions but is best in a westerly or south westerly (the prevailing direction).  Although the wind is usually offshore, at the right state of tide there is a very large area of knee-chest deep water making it a perfect place for learning. 

In a south westerly the water is very flat so it is also a great freestyle spot.  And the fact it is so shallow brings the added benefit that the water gets nice and warm in summer!

Where to launch

There are two main places to park: Ferry Bridge carpark and the   "http://www.wpnsa.org.uk/"Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA). 

Ferry Bridge

As you cross the causeway between Weymouth and Portland, Ferry Bridge is the car park on the left hand side, next to a boat park.  There are toilets and a cafe on site and it is right next to the water's edge.

Parking costs around £5 per day (£8 for a van).  It's cheaper if you arrive after 2pm and free in the evenings.

WPNSA

The sailing academy is the venue for the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic sailing events and home to the brand new http://uk.otc-windsurf.com/" Official Test Centre UK (known as ‘OTC’).  The new windsurf centre offers tuition for all levels and has the very latest windsurf kit from all the major brands available for hire.

To park at the sailing academy with your own windsurf kit costs around £8 per day (for more details visit the  "http://www.wpnsa.org.uk/" WPNSA website)

Weymouth Bay

Conditions

Typically cross-onshore wind and small waves – good for jumping and an ideal place for learning to sail in waves for the first time.

Best wind direction is a south easterly or south westerly.  Watch out if the wind is westerly - it is slightly offshore and gusty – better to go to the harbour. 

The waves are best at low tide, ideally a couple of hours before low water.  There can be some shore dump at high tide but at low tide launching is relatively easy.

Where to launch

Overcombe Corner 

Situated to the north of Weymouth seafront, Overcombe is the main windsurf spot in the bay.   If there is wind and waves you’re guaranteed to meet another windsurfer here to chat to … even on a Tuesday lunchtime in mid-February.

There is free parking on the road near the beach or you can pay to park at the Café Oasis, though there is an extra charge for windsurfers.  Second Wind windsurf shop is based here (which helpfully has a  "http://www.second-wind.co.uk/weymouth-webcam" webcam so you can check the conditions) 

Weymouth Beach (Bandstand)

Windsurfing is only allowed here during the winter months.  Best place to launch in a southerly wind as it is less onshore than Overcombe.

Local girls

Weymouth is home to Olympic medallist Bryony Shaw and former world champion Lucy Horwood.  You might also spot several of the Skandia TeamGBR sailors windsurfing here in their time off, including double gold medallist Sarah Dempsey and 470 sailors Saskia Clarke and Claire Cumming.  

Other local sailors include Linda Cleary (former women’s winner of speed week), Claire Newman, Sally Massey, Emma Dawson, Kerry O’Leary and many more. 

For more info and latest news about what’s happening in Weymouth, check out www.weymouthwindsurfingassociation.org 

See you on the water!

Written by: Helen Bramah