UK - Weymouth/Portland - Olympic Sailing Venue

ridercentral · Since 20 May 2009 38 Posts PDX-Coast-Gorge

Hey guys -

I am heading over to London for the Olympics and I may have some time to kite the sailing venue at Weymouth / Portland. It looks like some buttery goodness from what I can tell. There is even a kite up in the Google maps street view.

Anyone ever been there ? Suggestions for basic kite quiver for early August ? Is it worth bringing the kites over ?

My Rally 12m is the one kite that can do it all ... 15mph-30mph it is good to go. Maybe also bring a 6m or 7m if it blows that hard ? I am average in size / weight.

It sounds like the wind prevails SW when it's good. Maybe even just rent some gear to go get a couple sessions if it's good.

Check out...

http://www.weymouthwatersports.co.uk/location.htm

Chesil Beach Centre
Portland Beach Road
Weymouth DT4 9XE, United Kingdom
01305 760579

forrest · Tue Jun 05, 12 12:41 pm

I've been there. Can be epic conditions. Rig up and get ready as the tide is going out. It's best at low tide. Hayling Island is pretty sweet. Definitely bring your kites.

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

give Windtek in Weymouth a call - they've been around forever and will have all the scoop. If it sets up right great flat water and strong wind. Sailing speed records used to broken there. Checkout Poole Harbour as well especially Hamworthy which gets decent thermal driven sea breeze when it's dead everywhere else including Portland. If you like waves ask about Kimmeridge.....water is going to be a lot warmer than Oregon coast

LVDWD · Since 04 May 2009 104 Posts Stoked

Hayling Island may be sweet but unfortunately you will have a long drive from Weymouth, its nots near at all at least by Brit standards.

forrest · Thu Jun 07, 12 10:49 am

yea, but everyone does 95-120 MPH on the highway, so you'll be there in no time. I've gotten from Reading to Hayling in 45 minutes! Just make sure you rent a car somewhere besides Heathrow, and ask for an "estate car", we call them station wagons. I got upgraded to a Mercedes C320 last time, and prior was a Saab 95 Turbo. Then you can do 120 everywhere!

ridercentral · Since 20 May 2009 38 Posts PDX-Coast-Gorge

Thanks for the info guys... I knew you would have the 411. I'm surprised I haven't heard Nak chime in that he has been there since he seems to have kited in tons of places about the globe.

I'm gonna go butter that muffin in the UK !

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

If your willing to drive from Weymouth to Hayling Island then forget that idea check for swell hitting North Devon/North Cornwall instead. And get Waze or something installed on your phone so you can check where the speed cameras are!