Seafront

The main area is sheltered by a sandbank which provides fantastic flat water conditions at low tide.

Works best in S, SE and ESE as the wind comes in ‘clean’ off the sea. SW & W works but is gusty as the wind is coming over the hills.

The Channel just in front of the beach has a very strong tide and the area can get very busy in summer so it’s for experienced kiters only, unless you have boat support to get you out to the sandbank.

Stay out of the swimming areas when in use.

Kitesurfers must give way to all larger and less manoeuverable craft in and around the river and Navigation Channels and maintain an adequate clearence.

Location

Swimming area in Maer Rocks Bay is for indication only - for exact area look for RNLI flags and keep well clear.

• Head for the Exmouth Seafront and park in either Queens Drive Carpark or the roadside parking alongside Queens Drive. Head across the road to the semi-official launch spot. There may or may not be a sign there but just look out for other kiters - if it’s a kiteable day there is almost always someone out.
• On very busy summer days you may have to park further out - head East towards the lifeboat station and the car park up Maer Road.

Best Conditions

• Best in S, SE and ESE as the wind comes in 'clean' off the sea. SW works but is gusty as the wind is coming over the hills.
• Works at any state of the tide but best 2 hours before low tide for flat water and wind v tide. Higher states of tide can be ridden but tend to get very choppy.
• The tide in the channel runs very fast and can either help or hinder you. Wind v Tide can help in underpowered situations - will help you stay upwind and constant practicing of tricks without fighting back upwind.
  • Wind is between SE and S then 2 hours before Low Tide when tide is going out
  • Wind is between SW and W then as tide is coming in after Low Tide.
• Waves can be found further out and behind the sandbank - especially good when the wind is from the East quadrant.

Check the weather page for resources.

Hazards

• A deep channel runs very fast alongside the narrow beach backed by a sea wall and road.
• When the “Pole Sands” sandbank comes up (towards low tide) the channel starts running very flat, but also very fast.
• Drop your kite or loose your board without good body dragging skills and be ready for a struggle.
• Especially when the tide is running fast if you drop your kite anywhere near a channel marker buoy it will be torn to shreds. They come up quick when you are floating along at 10mph with the tide so keep clear.
• (10mph is 4 meters per second so in about 5 seconds you will have travelled the length of your kite lines - think about then when close and up current of the buoys!)
• If you do get snagged prepare to cut the kite loose and save yourself - you can’t fight that sort of current.
• The channel area can get very busy with kites, windsurfers, boats and other water craft so be sure you know your Right Of Way rules in respect to other kitesurfers and stay out of the way of boats and other vessels. They may well be restricted in their room to manoeuvre even when under power so that trumps any “Power v Sail” or “Starboard Tack”, regardless they are bigger and have many sharp pointy bits and sometimes spinny choppy things!
• Be especially aware of the Lifeboats (both Inshore and All Weather) and other boats that may be towing. The tow line can be long and difficult to see.
• Check up-wind (behind you) occasionally to see what’s sneaking up on you.
• Boards are lost in this area on a regular basis despite other kite-surfers helping bring them back to the beach. Write your name/number on the board in marker pen or get a sticker - you may then get it back and it will stop the coastguard (who should be notified of loss on their non-emergency number 02392 552100) sending out helicopters or the RNLI to look for you.
• The beach can get busy in summer. Be courteous and use the semi-official launch area, get and give help to launch and land. Don’t leave your lines all over. Don’t fly/jump/drop/crash your kite over the beach. Check for other kiters / beach users before you launch and let them pass by first. Just “don’t be a kook”
• Stay OUT of the ‘swimming area’ when it’s in use - its patrolled by the RNLI and busy in summer. Don’t go between the red/yellow flags until you’re at least 100m off shore.
• When not in use by others, the ‘swimming area’ near Maer Rocks & the lifeboat station is shallow and out of the tide so good for learning and when the tide is causing problems (otherwise start well upwind and get over and behind Pole Sands to get out of the tide)