WINDSURFING AT WEYMOUTH AND PORTLAND HARBOUR
There are 3 good sailing locations in close proximity around Weymouth offering flat water blasting , chop or waves depending on wind direction and tide. I have also included other areas at Weymouth and Portland Harbour which offer good rigging and safe sailing but are subject to Seasonal restrictions or overcrowding/parking problems. The map below shows the main sailing areas and their relevant locations with respect to Weymouth.
1 Portland Harbour
Regardless of whether you are a complete beginner or an out and out blasting fanatic this is the place most people head for. There are now three car parks available, Ferry bridge , Chesil beach council car park and the newly acquired sailing centre which used to be part of the naval base.
Ferry bridge car park is privately run within a boatyard and is right on the beach . It has a small chandlers shop which sells essentials such as rope, cleats and Mars bars. A parking charge is levied but it is very reasonable ( approx. £3.00 at present but due to increase for 2001 season ) and lasts all day. There is a toilet and vending machine on site. This site is very popular and gets absolutely packed out in summer and is often busy throughout the winter. Rigging up takes place on the beach or on the grass between the shoreline and the road, the beach is pebbles/large stones but becomes fine sand 5-10 metres from the tideline.
Chesil beach car park is situated between the stone ridge of Chesil beach and the road going from Weymouth to Portland. The car park is very large and has a toilet block and a visitor centre next to the Fleet. There is a shop/cafe run by a great couple who turn out in all kinds of weather to ensure that such delights as egg & bacon rolls , sausage & chips and hot chocolate are available . The parking fees are fairly expensive as the council seems to think windsurfers are an easy touch but other than Ferry bridge there is nowhere else you can park. On the plus side you are only a few minutes from the beach once you have negotiated the road. A word of caution. The road can be very busy and you get a lot of loonies using it as a race track , take care crossing it, especially if you are lugging your kit across .
Portland Sailing Academy is at the far end of the causeway where the large oil tanks use to be. The whole area is in the process of being upgraded . There is a parking fee of approx £5 which includes use of showers/facilities. Launching is from a concrete ramp into the sea. It can be difficult to sail from in Southerlies but can provide a brilliant point of sail for blasting parallel to the beach if the wind is blowing across the causeway from either direction. This site is being developed as an International/Olympic training area for all types of sailing .
There is a very good windsurf shop called WINDTEK which you will pass on the way to Portland. There is a good range of sails , boards and masts available plus all the usual accessories.
2 Overcombe
There is a good windsurf shop at Overcombe called SECOND WIND where you can hire all manner of useful light wind alternatives such as inline skates ,bikes etc. in case of wind failure. They also have parking although it gets busy in the Summer. There is a good cafe/bistro next door. The location is best for SE - NW directions as the bay faces south with hills to the northern aspect. This can be a brilliant location when the waves start rolling in. It is also the start point for several local races to the Harbour and back. Well worth a visit just to see some of local wave sailors doing amazing forward loops and getting great airtime.
3 Ringstead bay
To be updated during 2001.
Last updated 20/01/01