East Wittering, West Sussex
Brief intro: A great spot for making
the transition from flat water to waves. The massive bay
has plenty of space and can offer anything from blasting
to down the line. The conditions rarely get huge but can
still be testing enough for anyone.
Beach faces: SW
Best wind direction: W/NW
Best direction for waves: W/NW with a
good sized swell gives starboard wave sailing and can be
amazing. Also SE can occasionally work if there is a descent
easterly swell running although this is very rare.
Not good: N clockwise to E/SE as many
buildings on the beach make offshore winds unsailable.
Tide: Low to mid is best for all levels.
There is a shore dump if the swell is big at high tide
and there isn’t much space in between the groins.
Don’t
bother with high tide if it’s onshore!
What’s on the bottom: Sand, pebbles
at high tide
Any hazards?: Just the groins and in
the summer plenty of kids and sand casltes to get in your
way whilst walking your kit down to the water.
Other water users: kitersurfers, surfers,
lots of bathers in the summer.
Suitability/levels: Beginners to advanced, depends on
the conditions. If it’s F5 plus you need to be able
to waterstart.
Wipeout factor: Since it’s generally
pretty onshore it is quite safe. If you do lose your kit,
it is an easy swim back to shore.
Instruction: NO. Go to the 2XS Shop in
West Wittering down the road. (2XS Tel. 01243 512552, www.2xs.co.uk)
Kit Hire: Beginner kit hire at Shore
Watersports, Tel. 01243 672315. £15 for half a day, £20
whole day. Otherwise try 2XS Shop at West Wittering.
Friendly factor: Will always be a friendly
bunch, any time of year. Never gets crowded though because
there is so much space with countless launching spots.
No wind alternatives: If it’s decent weather, a
walk to East Head is well worth it (walk west along the
beach for about 2 miles). Otherwise head into Chichester
and sample that special south coast night life!
Surfable?: Has been known to be clean
and head high plus (Check out pictures of a classic day
this year). But it is generally a longboard wave with the
best waves at the Barn which is a 2minute walk east of
Shore Road.
Facilities:
| Toilets: |
The Shore pub (not in a wetsuit though!) |
| Shower: |
No |
| Windsurfing Shop: |
Shore Watersports Tel. 01243 672315 |
| Food: |
Lots of shops in East Wittering village including
a great baguette shop opposite Shore Watersports) |
| Parking: |
Free but it can get quite busy. You can park in any
of the roads, but please be polite and courteous to
those in the surrounding houses. |
| Pub: |
The Shore. Can be quite a laugh on a weekend night
in a sort of small town way. |
Accommodation: Lots of B&Bs, get
in touch with www.baileys.uk.com
Local hotshots: Chris Audsley (UK Freewave Champion),
Jem Hall (Coach guru), Julian Davall, Andy King, Greg Dunnett
from Boards Mag and far too many to list on an classic
day!
Local knowledge/secrets:
After a SW gale if the wind swings WNW, you can get great
down the line wave riding with lots of space between
the sets.
There is a wave that breaks at high tide just past West
Wittering on the sand bank going towards Chichester harbour
mouth. It has been known to barrel!
Extra: Check out www.chimet.co.uk for
up to date weather conditions.
How to get there: From the west take
the M25/M3 towards Southampton, from the east take the
M25/M23 towards the Brighton. Get onto the A27 and once
on the Chichester by-pass look out for a sign to the Witterings.
From here follow the signs to East Wittering.
Reporter: Local sailor, Emile Kott.
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