Extreme Sports guide to the Isle of Wight

* Sports

Are you new to or visiting the Isle of Wight? Are you looking for a new sport, but fancied something wet? Do you kayak in a swimming pool, but wonder where else you can go? Or want to know the nearest watersport school, or whereabouts you can learn the kitesurfing ropes?

* Beaches and Safety

Enjoy the IOW's amazing selection of beaches in safety all year long! We have included some safety tips at the end of each section in this guide plus much more to make your stay fun and safe. We have the best local weather forecasts and the latest up to date wind, tide, and surf readings live on this site. Please also check the beach signs when you arrive, and maybe print this beach guide off to take with you?

* Weather/Surf/Wind Forecast.

If you are travelling why not check the White Air web site. It has the latest and most accurate forecast so ideal for planning your stay on the Island

• Web Site White Air

The watersports guide is here for you... Map of the Isle of Wight

THE GUIDE moves clockwise around the Island beaches...

RYDE / PUCKPOOL / SEAVIEW

As you arrive in on the Wightlink ferry from Portsmouth you will see a huge expanse of sandy beach at low tide. This area between Ryde and Bembridge on the Solent side offers superb beginner conditions. The gently shelving beach allows for waist deep water at half tide and sand bars and pools at low tide. Puckpool much like Bembridge is very good for learning. This low-mid tide spot has a lagoon forming at low water. The lagoon is superb for learning (often used by the UKSA for teaching) and about the best set-up you could get for learning kitesurfing as well. With 100 yards of mirror flat water, no tidal current, knee/waist deep water and surrounded on three side by beach/low shingle banks it really is an excellent venue for beginners who wish to advance quickly and safely.

RYDE

• In short Windsurf/Kitesurf/Surf Ideal learning Offshore wind S / Onshore N Powerkite on land /Ideal with loads of beach Long walk at low water but shallow for a long way out for learning. Toilets (middle/wheel chair access), cafes, parking, lifeguard station, ferry, slipways.

Ryde....at low tide Ryde again offers long sandy beaches and plenty of room and shallow water. At high tide beware not to launch anywhere too close upwind of the pier. There are ferries, hovercraft, fishermen, and plenty of boats, but more importantly a fairly strong current taking you straight into them on se/e winds. At this state of tide head east towards Seaview/Puckpool and launch from there instead. From Ryde to Puckpool is a five minute walk around the spit or a short drive. Ryde is sandy but the further towards Seaview you go the more rocky the beach gets at the high tide mark. Best wind directions W/NW-E/SE.

• Safety Tide in the Solent can be strong and rises very quickly so don't get caught on a sandbank when taking a stroll Shipping hazards, harbour + hovercraft to watch out for near the pier

BEMBRIDGE

• In Short Mainly for beginner to intermediate. X-isle Watersports School base. Sideshore wind directions W/NW-E. Great/safe for basic learning in SW (offshore) at low tide. Toilets opposite the beach, cafe, pub.

Bembridge...as you move around to the south side of the Island, the harbour town of Bembridge is especially popular amongst the Windsurfers and Kitesurfers alike. The calmer sea and gently sloping beach again allows for great beginner to intermediate conditions. Again you can stand up for a hundred yards or more at low/mid water and to cap it off there is the very well set-up and well run 'x-isle' school operating from the beach that teaches both Windsurfing and Kitesurfing. There is ample car parking directly on the beach so only a short walk with your equipment. Windsurfing is very safe at all states of tide but be careful in offshore winds. For Kiteing you will need low/mid tide. There is a café and toilets here just 50 yards from the Windsurfing area, and a pub just over the road!

• Safety Mainly offshore winds (SW) so be cafeful or you'll end up on the mainland. That said..a very safe spot at half/low tide as you can stand up for 1/4 mile. In the season a busy beach so watch where you launch for watersports. The tide can come in quite strong so don't walk too far and get caught out on the sand bars. Speed limit for powered craft with bouy lanes to harbour.

YAVERLAND

• In Short White Air Extreme Sports Festival location. The best allround watersports area on the IOW with a superb bay catering for some 270 degrees of wind. Kitesurfing/Windsurfing is suitable for Learning/Intermediate level and experts in the winter gales. Surfing suitable Learning/Intermediate Access at Yaverland car park with a Sailing Club/slipway. On site facilities; Toilets(wheel chair access)/Car Park/Cafe/Telephone/Slipway Beach lifeguard station(Sandown)

Yaverland.....is renowned for hosting the prestigious extreme sports championships 'White Air' now one of Europes largest extreme land and watersports festivals.

Yaverland has a wide and sandy beach at low water fine for learning windsurfing and yet can produce some great Wavesailing conditions in the storms. It is sideshore in the prevailing SW winds and you can drift downwind here quite safely for a mile (at low tide) as long as you come in before the white cliffs. At high water there is much less beach (at spring tides virtually none) and it would suit intermediate to experts Windsurfers only and gets very busy in the summer months with beach goers. For windsurfers the 4 mile open bay is ideal for coast runs on race boards and you will often see Tushingham designer Ken Black, and Aaron and Ross Williams out training on their race boards. Further down at Sandowns main beach there is more beach at high water but beware it gets very busy in the summer and parking there is hard. The Driftwood Surf bar a great place to hang out. At Yaverland though there are café and toilet facilities and a sailing club at the end of the large beach car park . Best wind directions SW-E for sideshore.

• Safety; Lots of groynes at high tide but in general a very safe beach at low tide with big sandy beaches, and very few rocks. Watch out for the old inshore sewer pipe at low water. Well marked. Check for dog signs during the season. Easterly wind produces strong inshore rip tide. 1/4 mile offshore speed limit for powered craft with bouy lanes. Lifeguards on call during main season. May-end Sept

LAKE

• In short Windsurfing(between Sandown pier and Shanklin) WightWater Windsurfing/Surfing/Kayak/Sailing/Bodyboarding and Watersports School Learning to intermediate Car park at Shanklin or top of cliffs.

Lake....is just a mile west of Sandown, Lake offers another of the three main Watersports schools on the Island. Run by Scott Gardner and linked with the local shop Offshore Sports the school has a large selection of the latest new boards and in the SW winds the slightly sheltered bay is great for learning. There is also a café here. Best access is to park at either ‘Hope Beach’ at Shanklin or near Sandown Pier and then walk along.

• Safety; Groynes to watch out for at high tide but in general a very safe beach at low tide with good sandy beaches, and very few rocks. 1/4 mile offshore speed limit for powered craft with bouy lanes. Lifeguards on call during main season at Sandown. May-end Sept Top Watersports center location.

SHANKLIN

• In short Good car parking along the seafront, with café, and bars.
  Kitesurfing/Windsurfing/Surfing:Intermediate

The main Windsurfing shop Offshore Sports is based in the town of Shanklin and has an extensive selection of watersports equipment. If you are looking for tips then Ceri's two sons are at the top of the racing field and will be only to happy to help out. Not so frequently used for Windsurfing Shanklin beach does offer plenty of beach room especially at low water but with high cliffs to the western end the prevailing winds tend to be gusty. It can though produce some good Wavesailing up under Luccombe cliffs in a southerly, and can work well in NE as well. In a SW gale the surfing can also be excellent here.

• Safety; Groynes to watch out for at high tide. Safe beach at low tide with good sandy beaches. 1/4 mile offshore speed limit for powered craft with bouy lanes. Lifeguards on call during main season on Shanklin Esplanade. May-end Sept

VENTNOR

*In Short Surfing/Windsurfng Intermediate to expert Car park, pubs, cafe, toilets, harbour Steps to beach and a slipway at the Harbour to the East end. Best wind direction SW or ESE.

Ventnor..Situated on the south side Ventnor beach can be popular for surfing. Some of the ground swells wrap around the headland and just about get in here to produce some fun waves. Although in can be ideal for surfing it is very much just an expert wavesailing venue due to the small area to launch and heavy dumping waves. Great for watching with cafes and a pub at the windward end all overlooking the action.

• Safety Steep shelving beach with a strong rip and loose shingle. Large dumping shorebreak at high water. Lots of rocks at half-low water.

NITON

• In short Surfing / Wavesailing : Suitable for intermediate to expert only. Kitesurfing: Expert only (low water) Best wind SW-W or E. Small car park, pub at the top, very narrow bumpy lane for access.

Niton...is just around the point Niton offers the expert wavesailor and surfers some of the best conditions on the Island. Ground swells wrap in here for a fast clean ride. Get it on a SW backing to the W and the wavesailing can also be excellent. Watch out for the surfers if you are windsurfing. The launch is very tricky with just a small 5meter wide channel to get out and in from, and the tidal race that whips up the extra swell will also whip you out to sea very quickly. On a big swell at high water it can be very dicey, with strong inshore rips that will have you down the coast in seconds with little chance on finding a landing area!

• Safety Lots of rocks here and little sand so be very careful. Very strong tidal race just offshore. Surf breaks over boulders No safe beach access at high water

BRIGHSTONE

• In Short Kitesurfing/Windsurfing/Surfing: Intermediate to Expert Best wind direction W/NW or SE.

Brighstone...is a beautiful scenic spot and situated on the west side the swells arrive straight in here. Wavesailing here is the probably the best on the Island on its day, and one of the venues for the 'White Air' contest. A few locals will sail here but mostly you will find yourself alone except on the best days. It is a long paddle but the surfing is also excellent here. Its a steep walk down the cliff and there is little beach room for rigging. It is very rocky at low water and best sailed half tide and upwards. There is a small car park and the best way to find it is to head towards the 'Pearl Factory' on the Military road.

• Safety No beach at high tide, and lots of rocks at low tide. Steep steps to the beach.

BROOK

• In Short Kitesurfing/Windsurfing:Intermediate to Expert Sideshore in NW/SE. Car park on site / Public tel 100 yards away.

Driving west from Brightstone the first you reach is Brook with a small National Trust car park overlooking the beach. It is best suited for windsurfing and most states of tide apart from low springs are useable. It the past few years this spot has also become popular with Kitesurfers. During the summer months the coastal blasting provides action all the way down to Freshwater Bay, whilst in the winter the swells create for a superb wave spot. The waves are slow and well spaced and therefore ideal for intermediates. With the bay curving in a horseshoe intermediates will fine launching much easier from the western end on the beach where the shore break is very small and the wind angle usually more sideshore

• Safety Access to the beach is quite good (by foot only) with gravel slipway but little beach at high tide The shorebreak can be big with lots of rocks at low water

COMPTON

• In Short Kitesurfing/Windsurfing/Surfing Sideshore SE or NNW. Car Park/ Ice Cream van!/Toilets/Tel/Water

Compton...as you head further west around the point the next beach is Compton. Mainly used by surfers and with a car park and easy access the beach faces due west and gets pretty much any swells around. It is a slow wave at high water but can be excellent at low to mid tides especially with an offshore breeze. Wavesailing in a N wind with swell can also be very good. As you move down the beach the Fields flows into Compton. The main difference here being the sandy bottom which creates a faster wave for surfing. At low water kitesurfing is well catered for with a large expanse of sandy beach. It fine for learning although intermediates would prefer Brook. S

• Safety Steep steps to the beach Rocks at half-low tide Can be big surf here

FRESHWATER BAY

*In short Surfing : Intermediate to Expert Car park, hotel, pub, life guard station,

The best surf spot on the IOW on its day. Freshwater needs head high waves before the reef break works. Picturesque with high chalk cliffs extending down to the Needles it is a very sheltered bay on three sides. The heavy surf breaks right across the bay for the longest rides on the island.

• Safety Can be a very heavy shorebreak with danergous loose shingle, reef break, and rocks. For swimming go to the North end of the beach where it is sheltered and safer. Life guard station.

COLWELL BAY

• In short Kitesurfing/Windsurfing: Intermediate Café, toilets and car park on site.

Colwell Bay is overlooking Hurst Castle and a very popular and a mainly flat water bay ideal for intermediate windsurfing, but be careful of the very strong Solent currents further out. You can kitesurf here but the beach is very small and breaking a line could mean quite a serious swim.

*Safety Swimming is ideal and flat safe water inshore For Watersports though the strong offshore tides will take you straight to the Needles Don't sail in the tidal race and keep inshore Little beach at high tide and be carefull of the high sided concrete promenade(no barriers for children)

YARMOUTH

• In short Windsurfing, Sailing, Ski-ing : Intermediate Sideshore winds: W/SW-NE
  Large Harbour

Yarmouth..is suitable for Windsurfing but access is limited and the tide is very strong. There is Harwoods watersports shop in the town of Yarmouth that carries a large range of yachting, kite gear, and general accessories.

*Safety Strong tides and lots of shipping just offshore Suitable for family swimming inshore with flat water bouyed area and beach at all tides.

THORNESS BAY

*In short Kitesurfing/Windsurfing: Beginner to Intermediate Access and car park on the beach except during winter months when campsite is closed Sideshore W/SW-NE

Used by the teaching establishments this bay faces north and is ideal for learning windsurfing and also good for kitesurfing. Watch out for the strong tide in the Solent. There is a holiday camp on site good parking and shops.

• Safety Flat water and good beach but strong Solent tide just offshore

GURNARD

*In short Windsurfing/Sailing : Beginner/Intermediate Sailing Club/Slipway/Toilets/Parking/Cafe Sideshore: SW/NE

Gurnard..is used mainly by locals it provides a good Windsurfing and Sailing blasting area but there is little room to launch. Like Colwell this is a good wind against tide spot and flat water expcept in the very choppy tidal area.

• Safety Be careful as the tides here are very strong down through the Solent to Cowes. Lots of shipping

COWES

*In short Home of the UKSA Sailing Academy Sailing: All levels Cafes, bars, toilets, shops.

Famous for its yachting pedigree Cowes hosts the top Yacht racing in the World and also is the home of the World leading academy at the UKSA, which is a huge establishment specialising in nearly all watersports and providing superb job opportunities in these fields around the globe. Many famous names from the yachting world live and train here in Cowes and this includes the whole of Britains Americas Cup campaign based just down from the UKSA. Windsurfing from the seafront works well in SW and E but beware that the Solent currents are especially strong with rips right along the beach. If you are over during the first week in August then try to make it over for Cowes Week. Thousands of yachts racing, and huge beer tents make this a superb festival atmosphere for the whole week. The prestigious windsurfing Youth Week is sponsored by the UKSA each year and is part of the White Air festival in October.

*Safety Strong tides, little beach, and mainly offshore winds with lots and lots of shipping. Not suitable for any swimming.

Have a go!

Try the sports with White Air

• Whilst at White Air why not take time out to learn about the sports and how to get started. There will be chances to try the gear from various manufacturers but also the chance to learn the art of Mountain Boarding and ride the hill, Parkour and the art of free running, Thundercat Powerboats, Paragliding, or learn the basics of Kitesurfing with RRD, or Windsurfing and Surfing with Wightwater, Mountain Bike trials course, or even to have a go in the Kayak competition on one of the identical Ocean Kayaks supplied. click here