Summer 1st June to 30th September. Due to the number of surf schools, beach users and holiday makers kiting is only allowed above the red line. This line is roughly in line with the higher access road (black line) or 200 m north of the walkway that goes over the pebble ridge by the lifeguard hut. This still gives a large area of beach and the lifeguards help to police this to prevent personal injury to the many swimmers. If you are not sure ask a local lifeguard and they will help you.

Use common sence! No one should be out with a tape measure to find the 100 and 200 m but these are there to provide a buffer zone allowing people to walk dogs, play with kids, sunbathe etc without getting injured by crashing kites and out of control kiters!

LAUNCHING/LANDING-PLENTY OF SPACE ON THE BEACH. OBSERVE THE 100M RULE FROM THE RIDGE AND WATCH FOR LAND USERS. PLEASE DON'T KIT UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BEACH ON THE HARD SAND WITH LINES EVERYWHERE AS IT UPSETS OUR BUGGY BROTHERS/SISTERS (IMAGINE THEM KITTING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA IN YOUR WAY!). THINK ABOUT THEM AND KIT UP BY THE WATER OUT OF THEIR WAY AND WRAP UP LINES NOT IT USE. NEVER KIT UP BY SUNBATHERS/FAMILYS USING THE BEACH.

WIND-WESTWARD HO! WORKS FROM SOUTH TO NORTH WINDS GIVING A LARGE USEABLE WINDOW. DIRECT ONSHORE WIND IS WEST. THE SOUTH WIND HERE IS NEARLY ALWAYS LUMPY BUT BEST FOR THE SURF AS IT CLEANS UP THE WAVE FACE. ONLY ATTEMPT THE SOUTH WIND IF YOU ARE CONFIDENT IN SELF RESCUE TECHNIQUES AS THERE ISN'T ONE LOCAL THAT HASN'T HAD AN INCIDENT IN A SOUTH WIND! THIS IS WHY A LOT OF THEM NOW HEAD TO SAUNTON WHEN SOUTHERLYS BLOW. NEVER ATTEMPT WESTWARD HO! WITH ANY EAST IN IT UNLESS YOU HAVE A RESCUE BOAT ON HAND (THIS DOESN'T INCLUDE THE LIFEBOAT!).

BIDEFORD BAR-THIS SHIPPING CHANNEL HAS BEEN SINKING SHIPS FOR MANY YEARS AND HAS A FORMIDABLE REPUTATION. IT IS NOT A PLACE JUST TO GO AND HAVE A LOOK AT AND ONLY FOR VERY EXPERIENCED KITESURFERS. YOU CAN GET 4-8 KNOTT CURRENTS THAT ACCELERATE OVER ROCKS (THIS CAN KILL THE WIND IN YOUR KITE INSTANTLY), WATER THAT LOOKS LIKE IT IS BOILING DUE TO THE CURRENT, WAVES COMING IN FROM 3 DIRECTIONS AT ONE POINT AND VERY BIG UNPREDICTABLE WAVES DUE TO CURRENT AND SWELL MIXING. IF YOU DROP YOUR KITE IN PLACES IT WILL NOT RELAUNCH DUE TO WATER MOVEMENT AND YOU WILL HAVE TO DO AN IN WATER PACK DOWN. IT CAN BE AN EVIL PLACE THAT IS BEST AVOIDED.

LAUNCHING/LANDING-SAME GUIDELINES AS FOR KITESURFERS. KEEP UNUSED LINES PACKED AWAY SO THEY DON'T INTERFERE WITH FELLOW LAND USERS ENJOYMENT OF THE BEACH.

BEACH CONDITION-THE BEST BEACH CONDITION IS CREATED BY WESTERLY WINDS AND A BIG SWELL. THE SWELL COMPACTS THE SAND AND THE WEST WIND CREATES A LONGER SWELL SURGE THAT SMOOTHS THE SAND ON THE EBB TIDE. WORST CONDITIONS ARE CREATED BY EAST WINDS AND NO SWELL. THE SMALL RIPLEY WAVES LEAVE A VERY BUMPY SURFACE THAT HAS LOTS OF SOFT PATCHES AND KILLS YOUR KNEES OR MAKES YOUR VISION SHAKE FOR HOURS!!