Roly has suggested that I write a brief guide to the various beaches that you can kitesurf on around Redcar.

It's a great area for kitesurfing, with locations for all directions, and a flat water spot to hide from big northerly swells. It's also only 1h-1h15m down the A19 from Tyneside.

It's always worth checking out what the conditions are with the locals before heading out. They are most active on the kiteboarder web site:
http://www.kiteboarder.co.uk/kitesurfin ... php?t=8142

First up, here are the maps:

MAJUBA SANDS:


Description:

Sandy beach running W to E, just west of Redcar town centre. Often with good waves.

Wind Direction Required:

Works in anything from W to E with N being onshore. A true W is ever so slightly offshore, but the locals still go out in it.

Tide Required:

Kiteable at all states of the tide, although kit-up space is reduced at HW.

Hazards:

Not suitable for beginners in a W because if you end up going downwind you will end up getting dragged out to sea.

Very popular with landboarders and buggiers so keep downed kites out of the main beach area, and tidy up lines.

Local Amenities:

Parking right on the beach, in the Coatham Sands car park.

Shops and so on in Redcar. Nothing right on the beach. Simon runs Teesside Powerkites, based in the skatepark next to the beach, and sells various kitesurf items and might even stretch to a coffee if you ask nicely.

Popularity:

Very popular amongst North East kitesurfers, esp when there is a swell. Quite often windsurfers about too.

Extra Information:

None

Paul.

SOUTH GARE / LAGOON:


Description:

Lagoon protected by a sea wall / shallow reef, right at the tip of the south pier of Teesmouth. Very odd place to get to, you have to turn left at the roundabout before Majuba Road, signposted Waste Recycling Centre. Keep going past the waste centre, on the track that wends its way between the steelworks (left) and golf course (right).

Wind Direction Required:

Beach runs N - SE, and works in anything from N around to SE with ENE being onshore.

Tide Required:

The lagoon empties out a bit at low water, and is not kiteable approx 2hours either side of low water (although this varies slightly between spring and neap tides).

Hazards:

A few objects appear at low water.

Local Amenities:

Parking is plentiful on the left of the track after the lifeboat station.

No shops/toilets. Although there is the Corus steelworks should you wish some sheet metal.

Popularity:

Very popular amongst North East kitesurfers. It is a well known flat water spot and is great to avoid the big northerly swells we get in winter.

Extra Information:

None

Paul.

PADDY'S HOLE:


Description:

It's the small area ('Bran Sands') on the west side of the south pier of Teesmouth.

Wind Direction Required:

Works in a SW, as well as other directions but there are better places to go when it's not SW.

Tide Required:

The hole empties out a bit at low water, and is not kiteable approx 2hours either side of low water.

Hazards:

There are many objects, eg a wrecked boat, wooden poles, etc etc, that appear at low water. Ask local advice before heading out.

It is used in a SW but is not much fun as SW wind is gusty anyway on the east coast and is made worse by the steelworks.

Local Amenities:

Parking is plentiful on the left of the track before the lifeboat station.

No shops/toilets.

Popularity:

Only place in the area for SW winds, although the hazards and gusty wind mean that there's not many people who sail there.

Extra Information:

None

Paul.

CHEM WORKS:


Description:

Never actually kitesurfed here so this is info from kiteboarder comments. This is not actually easy to get to from Redcar: it's on the other side of the river and requires going back up the A19 and finding your way towards the A171/178 on Seal Sands. You will be kitesurfing in the shadow of the Hartlepool Nuclear Power Station so don't try it if this bothers you

Wind Direction Required:

Works in a S around to a NNE, with an E being onshore.

Tide Required:

Sailable at all states of the tide.

Hazards:

None, other than the power station.

Local Amenities:

Parking is plentiful.

No shops/toilets.

Popularity:

Getting more popular with Redcar kitesurfers as it works in a S. However, there are better and closer beaches in Northumberland that also work in a S.

Extra Information:

Use Multimap to find out how best to get there.

Paul.

Divent bother!

Paul,
Thanks for that rather comprehensive tour of the Redcar area. I've landboarded near the lagoon and the winds can be a bit gusty (due to big buildings nearby) so best option is probably onshore.

I wonder if there are other minor locations in need of exploration e.g Hatlepool, Cambois/sandy bay (Blyth), are there any other locations south of the Tyne?

One other thing, whats the pollution like in the river mouth? Don't fancy coming accross any seagulls wellies

mcdos wrote:One other thing, whats the pollution like in the river mouth? Don't fancy coming accross any seagulls wellies

well i took 2 sick days last year pretending i had picked up a bug kitesurfing there hahahaha

never had any problems but it can't be too pleasant with all the refineries, petrochems, agrochems, steelworks and (lest we forget) nuclear power plant.....

not tried any other spots south of the tyne.

Excellent description of the Redcar and area kiting spots.

There's one more spot, not mentioned, which is very popular in summer when we get sea breezes that been the 'Stray'
This is a stetch of beach between Redcar and Marske, just off the coast road.
The beach faces North east and is a top spot in the summer in Easterlies, normally if it's easterly to start with it will double with the sea breeze effect by about 3.00 pm. Wind is cross onshore and theres normally a 3 to 4 foot swell running which makes it lots of fun. Big sandy beach and ample parking.
Had some great day's there this summer, Top spot !

Thanks for the info guys

Bradders wrote:Excellent description of the Redcar and area kiting spots.

There's one more spot, not mentioned, which is very popular in summer when we get sea breezes that been the 'Stray'
Had some great day's there this summer, Top spot !

Second that It can also get the summer breeze effect when everywhere else seems dead. Lush rollers. But note that there are some boulders to watch out for on low'ish tides. Can be very popular with unruly dogs sadly, there again is anywhere free of kite pi**in hoonds?

Aidan and I went on a bit of a road trip on Sunday and checked out Seaton Carew (nothing special) and ended up kitesurfing at the Chem Works. The wind was light but the spot offers really flat water so we were able to get some good apparent wind. The spot is super shallow for a long way out, massive area to play in and there are no hazards. It was much better than paddies IMO. Definately a good sport for those of you who are learning. It's offshore in anything with a westerly though.

I was on my 15m 2007 Waroo and Airush Exile. It really was a sweet combo for the marginal conditions. Even managed to get a few more kiteloops under my belt - quite a quick turner when you want it to be!

bit of a pointless photo but shows off the Caribbean-esq type surroundings we have in the north-east!

Hi, Im very interested in getting into this sport where can i take lessons and try it before spending any dosh in case im rubbish at it lol, any help be much appreciated.

Cheers
Ratty_746