Where else do we wing... Beach guide
Above @rod.foils, Steve, Kate and Jim at Coney beach. Drone: Deano
While the water is low at Cheddar you will find us at a mix of beaches:
We mostly frequent Newton beach in Porthcawl, Coney beach in Porthcawl and Cold Knap in Barry. They are all friendly places with groups of wingers at each location.
Here is a super quick guide to each:
Newton beach in Porthcawl
Wind
It works very well in a South Westerly or Westerly wind (and also in a North easterly). This is a sandy beach with rocks offshore.
In the summer it gets the same accelerated sea breeze that we experience at Axbridge but often much stronger. Look for 13 knots or more on the windfinder super forecast.
Tide
Best around mid tide.
There is an offshore reef which can produce some fantastic swell riding conditions but it needs to be avoided if the water tide level is below 3m (check the tide heights on windfinder super forecast).
With a good amount of West in the Wind the water state around mid tide at Newton is pretty flat, but it gets choppier the higher the tide.
Parking
There is a big car park (ANPR so get a ticket) and some on road free parking.
Coney beach ('Sandy Bay') in Porthcawl
Wind
This is a sandy beach with no rocks and works very well in a Westerly or North Westerly wind (and also in a South easterly).
In the summer it gets the same accelerated sea breeze that we experience at Axbridge but often much stronger. Look for 13 knots or more on the windfinder super forecast.
Tide
Best at High Tide.
At High Tide the harbour wall gives good shelter from ocean side chop and produces smooth water (but gusty wind).
With a good amount of West in the Wind the water state around high tide at Coney is very flat it gets choppier as the tide drops.
However it is open to long period surfing style ocean groundswells (as opposed to chop) and is a popular surfing beach so check the swell forecast before heading there and unless you want to grapple with breaking surf Avoid conditions which have surf over 1m and 11 seconds (we love it when it is like that).
If there are any breaking waves it is best to launch upwind right underneath the pier (cowards corner) and paddle out and downwind to the windline.
Parking
There is a big car park (£3 cash only), you have to walk down an annoying sand dune to get to the water.
Coney is the most beautiful beach (but with the worst beach side attractions imaginable / just only look out to sea...).
Watch out for other water users particularly open water swimmers with large orange floats.
The container coffee kiosk does the best espresso / flat white...
Cold Knap in Barry
Wind
At low tide this is a sandy beach with no rocks and works very well in a Westerly wind.
In the summer it gets the same, but massively, accelerated sea breeze that we experience at Axbridge but often much, much stronger. Look for 13 knots or more on the windfinder super forecast.
Cold knap is usually quite choppy with a cross on wind in a W.
Tide
It is best from mid tide to low tide (the outgoing tide helpfully pulls you upwind). When the tide starts to turn and push it gets noticeably more choppy with a very strong downwind tidal rip in a West wind. (in general Newton is a better beginners beach).
If you aren't comfortable getting up on the foil avoid sailing here on a pushing tide, you will get taken downwind very quickly.
Parking
There is a big free car park. This beach is known as The Magic Stones because of the steep stoney beach that is a PITA to walk on. But the accelerated sea breeze is Magic.
Weston Super Mare
Parking
Royal sands car parking - https://britishbeaches.uk/weston-super-mare-royal-sands-beach-somerset-england/maps
Parking is free for water sports users but you must have proof of third party insurance to sail from here. Membership of the following gives you this:
BKSA
UKWA
RYA (need to tell them you are foiling)
Are some examples but there are other insurers.
Wingfoilers and windsurfers rig, de-rig and launch in the same place in front of the car parking. Kiters are at the far end S of the final row of posts for the car parking.
Wind
Works well with anything with a W in it. W is dead onshore and a bit trickier to get off the beach.
Will get sea breeze in the summer probably 5-10 knots more than at the reservoir.
Windguru 9km is a pretty accurate forecast for WSM.
Tide and Beach
Depends whether springs or neaps.
Windsurfers can go out 3 hours either side of high springs or neaps and in theory you can do the same winging but the beach contour is flatter the further you go out so once you hit the water you will walk a lot further if you go more than 2 hours either side of high.
So, for wingfoiling neap tide 1.5 hours either side of high. Spring tide 2 hours either side of high maybe 2.5 hours if a big tide.
Beware Sandy/soft mud everywhere but very few obstacles small yellow buoy nearer the pier and of course the pier itself.
If a very high spring tide beware the posts marking the car park they can be fully covered.
Does get shallower close to Black Rock at the S end of the beach.
Conditions
Can be really good waves with smoothish water in between all wind-blown. If wind is light water is very much flatter. At high tide hour the water is more confused especially in front of the parking. The best waves are usually near the pier or at the other end by Blackrock. At the Blackrock end the waves are further apart and smoother in between.
Toilets
There are toilets in the building you pass just before you turn L on to the beach you need 30p cash.
Cafe
Nice café when it is open not open often in my experience perhaps that is just the weather when we are on the beach!!