Windsurfing/Kitesurfing
This area of Cornwall boasts some of the best conditions in the world for wind and kitesurfing.
St Ives Bay
In February 2014 the world Red Bull Stormchaser event was held at Gwithian and the Bluff in what the winner, Thomas Traversa described as the biggest waves they had ever seen in the event worldwide.
Fortunately, the conditions are not generally as extreme but nevertheless waves can often exceed mast high. At the Bluff end which is more sheltered they tend to be less extreme but as one moves along the bay to Mexico's and then Gwithian they get progressively bigger.
The prevailing winds are from the South and South West so port tack is the norm but Starboard tack condtions can arise if the wind swings heavily to the North West. A South West wind is generally somewhat gusty as it has to come over the land first so the sail out through the waves can be interesting...and intimidating on a big day. However the ride in makes it more than worthwhile the effort. The Atlantic swells break along the various sandbars and offer long down the line waveriding conditions to test even the best riders.
Windsurfing directly from the flats 150m away, Hayle beach or the 'Bluff', as it is more locally known, offers several options. Even if the wind is offshore or onshore the wide area of the estuary means that one can still sail across the bay. Kitesurfers need to speak to the lifeguards as there are certain restrictions in the summer months but generally the whole bay is available. In addition to the wave area, the lagoons that occur as the tide is dropping back provide ideal flat water for freestyle or for younger family members to practice in safety and learn techniques like waterstarting.
The only time one cannot launch directly from the Bluff is right on high tide as the water comes right up to the granite cliffs. Walking the kit around the headland a little further up the estuary provides a sandy launch spot or alternatively walking around the coastal path to the dunes at Mexico beach offers another alternative.
Gwithian beach is a 6 minute drive away and there is a large car park at the top of the cliffs. Once again high tide means that the sea is up to the rocks but an hour or so later one can generally walk down the path to the sand to launch or if feeling brave there is closer access to the sand down the cliffs via the 'Goats Track'. Be warned that, especially when carrying kit, the descent is quite steep and definitely not for the faint hearted!
Marazion
A fifteen minute drive in the direction of Penzance is all it takes to reach Cornwall's south coast and Mounts Bay. Marazion beach tends to work better when the wind is from the west and too onshore for Gwithian. Two-three hours either side of low tide brings the best waves. It is quite a kind beach and the conditions are quite similar those experienced on beaches further up the English Channel. There is a large car park next to the beach or another a mile or so towards Penzance at Long Rock.
