Windsurfing:Tips

Please note that this information has been gathered solely from experience and is intended only as a guide. The authors accept no liability whatsoever for inaccuracies. If you are in any doubt, then ask around before you decide whether to sail.

Tide tips
Navigating the shore-break
Hythe Ranges

Hythe is generally a safe place to sail, provided you take the normal precautions for watersports, and don't sail beyond your limits. Being a club member is an especially good option for the safety-conscious, as when part of a group, people do look out for one another, and on many occasions our rescue boat is on the water, i.e. during sailing events and beginners courses. The information below may also help you to sail safely at Hythe. If you wish to contribute to this page, please e-mail me by clicking on the icon below.

Tides

Hythe has a steep shingle beach which becomes very steep around high tide. Low tide is definitely best for shortboarding at Hythe. As the tide recedes, the beach becomes less steep. At low spring tides the bottom is sandy. Waves tend to space out and line up more at low tide, providing better jumping, and occasionally limited onshore waveriding.
The current flows from west to east up the Channel until approximately two hours before low tide, at which point it begins to run in the opposite direction. In the usual southwesterly airstream, this provides ideal wind against tide conditions. Approximately two hours before high tide the current changes back to its original direction.
In marginal conditions, it is worth considering the tidal flow, as this can either add or subtract a few knots to the wind you will feel when on the water. In strong winds, considering the tidal flow may help you make a better choice of size of sail.
There are no rip currents in the immediate vicinity of the clubhouse.

Information provided by Andy Gibson and Mathew Mackenzie

The shore break

In southwesterly conditions of force four and above, Hythe suffers from the typical south coast shore-break which is particularly evident at places like Brighton. Whilst not quite so bad, it can become extremely difficult to get in and out approximately two hours either side of high tide on windy days. Getting through the shore-break can be technical at all times on very windy days, except perhaps spring low tides. High tide is especially dangerous, as the beach is very steep, making it difficult and sometimes impossible to run up the beach.
In typical southwesterly conditions, the size of the shore break depends largely on the wind strength and the period for which it has been blowing. E.g. if it has been blowing a six all night, things will be pretty tricky the next day. The swell does tend to build quickly, creating large breaking waves after about an hour of strong wind. Southeasterly wind rarely creates a large shore-break.
Getting out: Take your time and watch others. This is not a technique article so I won't elaborate, suffice to say that waves come in sets, so time them and wait for gaps. Look downwind for these gaps, as that's where you'll be heading. Once in the water, don't hang about. If you're in any doubt about your ability to water-start quickly, perhaps consider whether or not you should be sailing. Once out past the break, waves are seldom a problem to those sailing within their limits.
Getting back in: Again not a technique article. Make sure you are planing. If you drop off the plane, turn round and go back out. Once heading in fast, adjust you speed towards the shore by heading upwind, so that you come in on the back of a wave near the top. Run straight up onto the beach and drag your kit out quickly. If you get caught in the break, its probably better to drag your kit back out to sea and sail out then in again.
This article may make Hythe seem a rather awful place to sail. Not so! In a force four-five, the break is seldom a problem to the proficient sailor. In stronger winds, it just takes a bit of practice.

Information provided by Mathew Mackenzie

Hythe ranges Hythe firing range opening times

To the west of the club lies the Hythe military firing ranges. Short-boarders rarely make their way that far upwind, but this is not so for longboard sailors. Please note that it is illegal and extremely dangerous to sail within the marked area. When the range is being used, the area is patrolled by the range safety boat, and believe me they take an extremely dim view of those who stray beyond the limits.
The sailing cub is far enough away from the ranges to keep windsurfers and bullets safely apart. If you do have a burning desire to sail a long way upwind, make sure you know exactly when you are not permitted to go (or wear a kevlar bouyancy vest!)

Information provided by Mathew Mackenzie