8. Where to get a good weather forecast We give you perfect beginner weather and where to find it.

As a beginner, light wind and calm water is what you want. Ideal wind strength is between 5 and 15 knots.

At the coast the ideal is usually a cross shore wind, as it allows you to sail out and back to the same spot.

An onshore wind usually brings shorebreak and waves making it hard to get out.

An offshore wind is bad news as equipment breakage could mean a slow trip to France!

If you are planning a trip to the coast, remember to check the tide. A lot of beaches in Britain require a long walk to the waters edge at low tide and some are unsailable at high tide due to sea walls or man made groins

You will find that conditions in the UK are often not what the weather man promised. Don’t go out if you are not sure you can get back in one piece! Try another day.

Weather Forecast sites:

www.xcweather.co.uk
www.metoffice.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/weather
www.windguru.cz

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