Im from Sunny Blackpool :)
You have loads of choice, All of the main beaches (between the piers) are banned zones for kites, tbh I can't think of a reason to go out here anyway.
Starr Gate is quite good around mid tide but don't head north of the Prom wall at hightide, I stay South of it anyway as there is loads of room.
The carpark here was a building site while they were building some crappy building on the front. Park down one of the side streets and walk over is the easiest way, don't fall into the trap of parking on the access road with the dog walkers as the coastguard can't get the boat out if cars are parked here, and if its you wanting help you don't want to be waiting on some cock out walking their poodle.
Also South of that is the Coast/Life Guard station, there is a kite/wind sports centre there too if you need a hand launching/landing or advice. Also when I left the carpark here was free so was a preferred choice, only downside is the 2mile walk to the water, if you pay at the shop though you can get a lift in the beach buggy to the water and back
If you want to head North of Blackpool there is Cleveleys or Fleetwood Esplanade, check out www.hangtimekites.com, they have a shop right on the front at Fleetwood and you kite straight off the beach, always a good crowd and super helpful. Stay clear of the shipping lanes though.
I haven't been to Southport as you'll need a local permit from the council to go out, details can be found on www.kiteboarder.co.uk
Another location I haven't been but have heard a fair amount about is Hoylake, North wales. If I remember rightly they have good wave action along with flat water.
The guy who runs Kiteboarder.co.uk is from Manchester, guy called Tony.
NorthWest Region:-
kiteboarder.co.uk/kitesurfing/north-west-2/?sid=f4fe10b44dbc2cd1d1d849c444c6e3d5Maybe heading home in June so I may see you down the beach, my name on there is Rob.L
Also its apparently redhot back home at the mo, I guess that means its 5/3 suit weather ;)
Can you recommend some hot spots down NSW, hoping to finish work in the next month and have enough pennies to carry through until June, got a campervan and flying out of Sydney in June.
Let me know how you get on,
Thanks,
Rob.L
pomE said...Where about from "the North", are you RobL?
Only ask coz we're heading back home to sunny Wigan-shire in the next month or so, and I'm looking for some tips on where to kite. Never kited back home- learnt in Cape Town a few years ago, and only done a little bit since been out here. Can't say I'm relishing the prospect of immersing myself in the grey, cold Irish Sea, but hey....
RobL said...
Im on both KiteCrowd and Kiteboarder.co.uk although I do spend more time on Kiteboarder as Im from the North of England and it has a great contribution from my area and also the KiteCrowd seemed more geared towards Landboard and Buggy Kiters.
Windguru is great for forecasting and tends to be spot on for me, again I live in the North so can't say for other areas.
We unfortunately don't have something as awesome as Seabreeze that encompasses all things that happen on the water along with weather and wind readings. Good Job.
Thanks,
Rob.L