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Written by Cookie-Monster
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Thursday, 13 February 2003 |
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(aka K-Bay) Reputably the premier wave sailing spot on the south coast? It has three different breaks for you to try out your skills each one with it own characteristics. When does it work? Well this is quite a versatile location, anything from NW to E the best direction according to the locals is W but being on the English Channel it will pick up swell from all directions but for really big swell anything out of the W get it pumping. Getting there, K ? Bay is in Dorset near Poole so get yourself there, you can all read use a road map so I?m not going to hold your hand this time! Anyway from Poole head West to Wareham on the A35 then A351, now stay on the A351 to Swanage and wait till you see a sign on your right to Kimmeridge, there are two different routes there so don?t worry if you miss the first, the second is right underneath Corfe Castle. If you find yourself going through an Army Firing Range then you?ve gone the right way. Worried yet, I would be?.. more later. Go through the village, there is a shop but not much else, pay your toll and head down to the car parks. The central car park is great for the view but a long carry so head to your left and drive down to the east of the Bay to an easy launch and grass rigging area. Bay ? This is right in the middle and very safe but watch out for the line of rocks that stick out down the middle at low water. The only problem is that is sheltered in anything W or E so head out to the other breaks. The Ledges ? As you look out to sea this is to your left and an easy walk from the car park to check it out, as it sounds it is a series of rock ledges that run from here almost to Swanage, can be shallow close in but you also get some really nice waves here. Broad Bench ? This is on the opposite side of the Bay to The Ledges and comes within the Firing Range so if you see Red flags flying then don?t land on the beach here, you may find an irate Squaddy coming to talk to you!!!! This is reputably the best break at K ? Bay with some very consistent waves. What to do if there?s no wind, K ? Bay is also a very good surfing location, the water is very clear so snorkelling definitely something and just down the coast at Swanage there?s Sea Cliff climbing for the brave plus plenty of trails for the Mountain Biker (Hey Bert & Ernie, sorry I?ve now let people know how to get into your good books). Places to stay, the village is very small with just the one shop but the surrounding area caters for holiday makers so there?s plenty of B & B?s and camping grounds. How do you rate this place, it is almost like three different places so it can be extremely good at one but OK at another, the only draw back is it can become very busy in the Summer with Powerboats, Surfers, Day trippers etc. If your in this part of the world then I?d Definitely make a trip out to this location.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 18 November 2006 )
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Broke a mast sailing Ledges in a SW last May and was lucky to get in with only minor damage to the board as I was pounded into the slabs just under the cliff.
Definitely worth chatting to the local sailors to find the safest areas depending on the tide.