Hillhead, Hampshire

Letitia Hristodorescu — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:00:48 +0000

Hillhead is one of the windiest spots on the south coast due to the combination of sea breezes and funnelling effect of the Isle Of Wight and Calshot. It is a great venue for intermediates, beginners and advanced. Hillhead is a fun spot that has steep chop, once the wind gets up, allowing you to jump both ways. Although tidal, you will never really notice it. (Apart from a long walk back to the car if you leave it too late.)Chris Audsley tells us more about his home spot…

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Beach Faces:: South
Best Wind Direction:: South-west which is cross-on from the right.
Best Wind Direction For Waves:: Really strong South-west.
Not Good:: North to North-east is bang offshore with too many buildings affecting the wind.
Tide:: Not noticeable unless NW or SE. You can sail at any state but mid tide on the push will bring more chop and is better for jumping.
What’s On The Bottom:: Sand and stones.
Any Hazards:: There is a sand bar directly opposite the car park which you can catapult into at mid to low tide so watch out! There are groynes but they are not really a problem unless it is a really high tide.
Other Water Users:: Too many kitesurfers can ruin your day.
Suitability / Levels:: Beginner to winner! It’s an ideal freestyle spot with a few ramps and there are lots of blasters (like my Dad).

Wipeout Factor:: Zero, it never gets waves!
Instruction:: Andy Biggs windsurfing (Tel.02392 582614) teaches at nearby Stokes Bay in the summer.
Kit Hire:: None
Friendly Factor:: Yes, always a lot of people down and they are quite chirpy all year round.
No Wind Alternatives:: Yes, always a lot of people down and they are quite chirpy all year round.
Surfable?:: Definitely not.

Facilities:

Toilets	Yes, on site.
Shower	No
Windsurfing Shop	Andy Biggs, 5 miles away in Gosport.
Food	One Stop convenience store.
Parking	Loads of spaces and FREE all year round.
Pub	The Osbourne and the The Crofton both serving good food.

Accommodation:: Kingfisher Park Campsite in Stokes Bay
Local Hotshots:: Paul Hunt, Chris Audsley, Chris Murray, John Brookes, Colin McCulloch, Jamie Hancock and Rich Audsley (in that order!)
Local Knowledge / Secrets:: If North-west and offshore, then drive west along the coast to a place called Titchfield where it will be cross-shore.
If the prevailing wind is between North-west and South-west with a cold evening then sun in the morning followed by cloud over lunch, then you are in for a evening sail!
Extra:: Seafarers Sailing Club based on the beach. They race at weekends.
How To Get There:: Get on the M27 and take junction 9 from the west, 11 from the east. Head towards Lee on Solent or Stubbington. Follow the sign posts to HillHead.
Report By:: Chris Audsley.

Monk’s Hill, Hampshire

Letitia Hristodorescu — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:53:30 +0000

Monks Hill is another great Solent Water sailing spot between Hill Head and Lee-on-Solent. There is a very good group of sailors there with a friendly atmosphere and everyone helps each other out, has fun on the water and gets out whenever it is windy. It’s an easy place to sail with more of a bump than a wave, good sea breezes and wind funneling effects.

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Beach Faces:: South
Best Wind Direction:: South, South-west, South-east
Best Wind Direction For Waves:: South, South-west, South-east on mid to low tide where you can get some nice ramps to jump off. No real riding waves though.
Not Good:: North, North-west
Tide:: The tide is best at mid to low, as high tide can be choppy.
What’s On The Bottom:: A mixture of stones, sand and even mud in places but mostly stones.
Any Hazards:: None really, some groynes to keep away from and some rocks to the left in really low tides.
Other Water Users:: There are a few jet skies.
Suitability / Levels:: Beginners to advanced. It is calm enough to teach, and good for every level depending on the wind strength.

Wipeout Factor:: None really unless it is high tide and a Force 8 when there can be a nasty shore break.
Instruction:: None but Andy Biggs can organize some from the shop in Gosport.
Kit Hire:: Demo kit available through Andy Biggs windsurfing.
Friendly Factor:: Very friendly, lots of locals happy to help and lend a hand to any one.
No Wind Alternatives:: Very friendly, lots of locals happy to help and lend a hand to any one.

Facilities:

Toilets	Yes, on site.
Shower	Yes, but a cold, outside one.
Windsurfing Shop	Andy Biggs windsurfing 2 minutes away Tel. 02392 582614
Food	The awesome Shack restaurant on the beach.
Parking	Free all year round and lots of spaces. There are often a lot of sun bathers in summer. All the more to look at if there is no wind.
Pub	Pub close by: Osbourne View.

Accommodation:: Local bed and breakfast on beach side just along from car park at Lee on Solent.
Local Hotshots:: Chris Murray, current 2005 Freestyle Champion.
Extra:: Always someone down there windsurfing if it is windy so it is very safe and sociable place.
How To Get There:: Get on the M27 and take junction 9 from the west, 11 from the east. Head towards Lee-on-Solent or Stubbington. Follow the signposts to Hill Head, go past till you see a sign for The Shack and go in to that car park. You are now at Monks Hill.
Report By:: Chris ‘Muzza’ Murray. Chris is sponsored by YES Sails, Chinook and AHD.

Boards Windsurfing » Hampshire Windsurfing

Hillhead, Hampshire

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Monk’s Hill, Hampshire

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