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written by mudshark , May 05, 2007

Is the changing room available to all (i.e. windsurfers ) or is it attached to the kite shop ? Where's the best place to get forecasts and tide info - I wouldn't fancy carrying ny kit back 1/2 mile
thanks

Fleetwood
written by Paul Tracey , August 28, 2006

Best on South westerlys across shore, north eastelys for the channel when its blowing anything above 3-4. Becoming a busier venue because of hang-time kite shop, attracting more kite surfers to the area, but since postings on this site there have been even more windsurfers. People finding conditions favourable, when tide is about an hour an half past full, flat water blasting conditions which are only just over waist deep for just over half mile.

As hang time kites does only sell kite surfing and skateboarding equipment, owner alex is an agent for naish, and if you place an order with him (booms, sails etc)he will get them for you,Naish only. Eventually the kite shop will offer showering facilities by means of joining club, which is yet to be set up.

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written by rcut , August 02, 2006

Thought i\'d add this extract from a recent forum post of mine. Bit more info for anyone who might be interested in trying the place...

There\'re 2 spots to sail at Fleetwood depending on tide (but you can start in 1 & sail to the other as the tide changes). On the beach by the kite shop (opposite Mount Hotel) is where you\'d sail 2-3hrs either side of high tide. Stronger more N\'rly winds can create a bad shorebreak at high tide. Either side of high tide it flattens out a lot and you can sail out 1/2 mile & still touch the bottom (but beware, when the water dissapears that 1/2 mile is a long way to carry your kit back, unless you sail into the channel) but for that hour or so you can get some great beginners sailing conditions. At low tide you sail the channel (a bylaw prevents us using it 2hrs either side of high tide). This generally gives flat(ish) water blasting, sail a mile or so out and there can be a nice swell & waves to play in (but don\'t go alone!). Things to watch out for are strong currents & BIG shipping traffic, if you\'re not a competant waterstarter/uphauler then be v. careful. Always keep an eye open for the big ships & get out of the water as soon as you see one coming.

PS. The other day i tried another spot which i\'ve never seen any w\'surfers sail but the kiters have started using. It\'s Rossall Point which is about 1/2 mile W of the kite shop where the N facing beach meets the W facing beach making it ideal in a SW\'ly. Launch in flat water then sail past the point & into never ending waves, bit scary but great fun - high tide only.

Fleetwood high tide & low tide
written by Coany , May 09, 2006

High Tide:
The beach does face north so good for west thro\' north to easterlies. great clean wind. Shorebreak can be hairy at high tide, wait until half hour after & get 2hrs bump n jump.
loads of kites there now (the old \'sea level\' shop is now \'hang time\' kiteshop

Low tide:
Channel (dredged for the ferry) 300 yds wide & runs NNW 2 miles out towards the bay , park up next to the pier. excellent flat water blasting/freestyle playground in west/SW or easterlies

If you get a westerly you can sail all day, high tide at the kiteshop/beach and then omnto the channel when the tide goes out.

RE:Fleetwood
written by Anonymous , April 27, 2004

"For some serious shredding there are far better places so more advanced kiters/ windsurfers may find it a bit er... tame?"





I suggest you go back when there is a wind.

RE:Fleetwood
written by Shawn , April 27, 2004

Hmmm - just checkin' up a bit more - seems I may have been mistaken. I think this link shows the car park I was in :





http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=331000&Y=448000&width=500&height=300&client=public&gride=&gridn=&srec=0&coordsys=gb&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&scale=25000&right.x=29&right.y=7





It definately looks like it's not west facing as I thought - must have managed to completely fox myself that day.... Well spotted mate!! And sorry to anyone who's been misled. Ooops!

RE:Fleetwood
written by Shawn , April 27, 2004

ChrisD wrote on Apr 26, 2004 - 10:11 PM:


I saw your review about Fleetwood. Just to let you know that Fleetwood is cross shore in a westerly not onshore. The beach is near enough North facing.


You need to be carful when the tide is going out as you can end up getting swept round to Rossal point.


I have never kited there only windsurfed. You can also use the channel at low water. I have not kited in the channel either but I have seen other kiters using it while I have been windsurfing there.


Star gate at South shore Blackpool is another popular kiting spot. I have done most of my kiting there at low tide with about a mile of beach between sea and car park just in case anything goes wrong.





Chris Dunne


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Hiya Chris - cheers for the comments - you should add them to the review I submitted so everyone can see 'em.


I've had a look on a map and it looks as though the beach swings round from west facing to north facing at the end, so it must depend where u are on the beach - surely the wind could be anywhere from on shore, to cross shore in a westerly. I'm pretty sure the bit of beach I described was on shore in a westerly because it's the bit of beach facing west, before it bends round (I may be wrong as I'm not dead familliar with it).





any one else know?