Kitesurfing Lessons in Cornwall - Gwithian beach guide
Looking out from Sandy Acres
Gwithian has been known by windsurfers for many years as being one of the best places for down the line wave sailing in the UK and the same is true for Kitesurf Waveriding and Kitesurfing in general. Parking on top of the cliffs you can look across the gently curving St Ives Bay beach from the Estuary mouth at Hayle to the south west, across to the town of St Ives which is due west and all the way to Godrevy lighthouse at the northern end of the bay.
There are several different spots along this beach which work on different wind directions and tides starting at the northern end working south we have- Godrevy, Gwithian, Sandy Acres (Mexicos) & The Bluff.
There are several different spots along this beach which work on different wind directions and tides starting at the northern end working south we have- Godrevy, Gwithian, Sandy Acres (Mexicos) & The Bluff.
Location
Gwithian, Godrevy & Sandy Acres is most easily accessed by taking the A30 to the Hayle Roundabout and following the signs to Hayle. Within 100 meters you will encounter a double roundabout next to Lidls and on the second one take a right turn up the hill on the B3301.
Sandy Acres is the first left turn after you come up the hill with a Beach Car Park sign up in the air attached to the fence of some allotments. Drive up a rough road, through the sand dunes before you come to a gate with parking machine. Pay for your ticket (all year) which is the cheapest around and continue down the track to the car park at the top of the sand dunes.
For Gwithian, continue driving past a couple of Holiday parks on your left, you come to a fairly sharp right hand bend with an entrance to the car park on the left. Follow the track over the speed bumps until you reach the large car park overlooking the beach. Parking is plentiful. Pay and display in the summer.
For Godrevy, don't turn off the road and continue through the village, past the pub until you come to a small humped bridge. On the left you can either park at the Sandsifter and walk down to the beach or take the next left into the National Trust car park where you can drive all the way around to the lighthouse and have a great view. You need to be a member or pay in summer.
To get to the Bluff/Hayle river mouth, instead of turning right at the double roundabout by Lidls continue straight on and take the next right, signposted Phillack and beach. Drive on this road until you come to the Bluff Inn car park, pay and display in summer
For more details check the map on the location page and zoom in for directions.
Sandy Acres is the first left turn after you come up the hill with a Beach Car Park sign up in the air attached to the fence of some allotments. Drive up a rough road, through the sand dunes before you come to a gate with parking machine. Pay for your ticket (all year) which is the cheapest around and continue down the track to the car park at the top of the sand dunes.
For Gwithian, continue driving past a couple of Holiday parks on your left, you come to a fairly sharp right hand bend with an entrance to the car park on the left. Follow the track over the speed bumps until you reach the large car park overlooking the beach. Parking is plentiful. Pay and display in the summer.
For Godrevy, don't turn off the road and continue through the village, past the pub until you come to a small humped bridge. On the left you can either park at the Sandsifter and walk down to the beach or take the next left into the National Trust car park where you can drive all the way around to the lighthouse and have a great view. You need to be a member or pay in summer.
To get to the Bluff/Hayle river mouth, instead of turning right at the double roundabout by Lidls continue straight on and take the next right, signposted Phillack and beach. Drive on this road until you come to the Bluff Inn car park, pay and display in summer
For more details check the map on the location page and zoom in for directions.
Spot Details
Godrevy with NNE wind
Godrevy picks up the most swell along the beach and is offshore in E-SE wind when it is great for surfing. Best size is 3-10ft with West swell.
Best conditions-
N- NE wind you can get some great down the line conditions for kitesurfing and windsurfing in any size swell.
Good for onshore kitewave riding in N-NW wind with small swell only.
Mid to low tide is best as super gusty behind the cliff at high and also gets backwash in wave.
Access- either down the path/rocks by lifeguard hut at low tide or next to the river when tide is higher.
Hazards include: big rip caused by the river, rocks to the North, lots of surfers, pay attention to zones during lifeguard times, can have pollution from river after severe rain!
Godrevy is great for learning to surf in summer.
Best conditions-
N- NE wind you can get some great down the line conditions for kitesurfing and windsurfing in any size swell.
Good for onshore kitewave riding in N-NW wind with small swell only.
Mid to low tide is best as super gusty behind the cliff at high and also gets backwash in wave.
Access- either down the path/rocks by lifeguard hut at low tide or next to the river when tide is higher.
Hazards include: big rip caused by the river, rocks to the North, lots of surfers, pay attention to zones during lifeguard times, can have pollution from river after severe rain!
Godrevy is great for learning to surf in summer.
Gwithian in Southerly wind
Gwithian is the premiere Wavesailing spot in the area.
Offshore in E-SE wind it can have great surf especially when huge for experts or for beginners on smaller swells due to less size and crowds. Best size is 2-20ft large period West swell.
S-SSW wind is best for waveriding (experienced only) and gets busy with windsurfers infront of the car park with the kiters usually going slightly downwind on the next peak infront of lifeguard hut. Can be gusty so not the best for Kitesurfing on Twin Tips. Big long period west swell with southerly wind will give classic down the line condtions as good as it gets anywhere in the world!
SW-NW wind is great for Kitesurfing with onshore conditions and nice flat sections in between waves for tricks and jumps.
Mid tide is best with high being too close to the cliff and low tide closing out. Beware on spring tides as it comes in quick and you can get cut off from where you launch/land.
Access- In front of the Car Park is a slippery cliff decent known locally as the 'goat track' to the beach . The main beach can be reached by the less severe but more lengthy path towards the lifeguard hut and onto steps down to the beach.
Hazards: rocks, gusty wind, rips, crowds and avoid lifeguard zones in summer.
We run Intermediate Kitesurf lessons and Kitesurf Clinics at Gwithian.
Offshore in E-SE wind it can have great surf especially when huge for experts or for beginners on smaller swells due to less size and crowds. Best size is 2-20ft large period West swell.
S-SSW wind is best for waveriding (experienced only) and gets busy with windsurfers infront of the car park with the kiters usually going slightly downwind on the next peak infront of lifeguard hut. Can be gusty so not the best for Kitesurfing on Twin Tips. Big long period west swell with southerly wind will give classic down the line condtions as good as it gets anywhere in the world!
SW-NW wind is great for Kitesurfing with onshore conditions and nice flat sections in between waves for tricks and jumps.
Mid tide is best with high being too close to the cliff and low tide closing out. Beware on spring tides as it comes in quick and you can get cut off from where you launch/land.
Access- In front of the Car Park is a slippery cliff decent known locally as the 'goat track' to the beach . The main beach can be reached by the less severe but more lengthy path towards the lifeguard hut and onto steps down to the beach.
Hazards: rocks, gusty wind, rips, crowds and avoid lifeguard zones in summer.
We run Intermediate Kitesurf lessons and Kitesurf Clinics at Gwithian.
Easter wave clinic
Sandy Acres also known as Mexicos is our main Kitesurf Teaching area which on its day can also have great surf or Wave sailing conditions. S-SE wind is offshore.
SW wind with big swell is best for wavesailing with great kitesurfing conditions in W-NE wind and smaller waves, especially in summer.
Works on all states of tide with the best waves mid-high with a huge West swell.
Access is down the path and steep dune from the car park.
No real hazrads other than the walk and close out waves at low tide. Can have big rips.
We run Beginner Kitesurf Lessons here when the wind is from the North.
SW wind with big swell is best for wavesailing with great kitesurfing conditions in W-NE wind and smaller waves, especially in summer.
Works on all states of tide with the best waves mid-high with a huge West swell.
Access is down the path and steep dune from the car park.
No real hazrads other than the walk and close out waves at low tide. Can have big rips.
We run Beginner Kitesurf Lessons here when the wind is from the North.
Hayle Rivermouth also known as The Bluff.
On its day can have amazing waves in SW wind and in NW wind with with an outgoing tide is one of the best flat water kite spots in the country!
For kitesurfing in the river you need a pass, details available at www.kernowkitesurfclub.co.uk
On its day can have amazing waves in SW wind and in NW wind with with an outgoing tide is one of the best flat water kite spots in the country!
For kitesurfing in the river you need a pass, details available at www.kernowkitesurfclub.co.uk