Continent
Europe
Country
England (UK)
Next Big City
Liverpool
Next Town
West Kirby
 
Type:
Ocean
Rider Ability:
Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Features:
Rooms, Camping, School, Shop, Repair, Rental, Rescue, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking

Water

Type:
Shallow, Flat
Hazards:
Mole
Quality:
Cloudy
Best Tide:
No information

A really good flat water location, which 2 hours either side of high tide, remains only waist deep as far as the islands! Occasional small waves on `Tanskey Rocks`, which are ideal to learn on. It does however need a tide of more than 7.5m at Liverpool, to be worthwhile.

Beach

Type:
Sand
Size:
Medium
Hazards:
Rocks, Bystanders, Road, Other
Beach Users:
June, July, August

A huge beach provides a very safe landing and launching site, but beware the horses and occasional sun worshiper. Sand is pretty hard, and generally quite dirty (being the Irish Sea), and is literally right by the car park.

Weather

Spring:
Normal, Thick
Summer:
Shorty, Normal
Fall:
Normal, Thick
Winter:
Thick

Summer time brings water temperatures of around 17°C, and winter does get cold (it is the UK!). Bring a full winter suit and accessories for those colder months.

Wind

Best Months:
September, October, November
Wind Type:
Frontal
Best Direction:
N, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, NW, NNW
Main Direction:
No information

The wind here is always associated with lows, so check those isobars before planning. Generally all directions from SE thru' N work here, though SE can be a little gusty. Wind can become very strong here, and squalls can be quite common. Autumn in generally best time of year, however sea breezes can produce some classic sideshore days. Sideshore: NNW and SSE.



How to get there

Transport
Car, Bus, Train
Access
No walk

Follow signs for West Kirby from the M53(nearest motorway), then tourist signs for West Kirby Marine Lake. Site is very well signposted. Park on seafront, or on lake car park (although you may have to pay small amount).

Extra information

Rules
Zones, Time

Generally very quiet location, the site is protected as it's a site of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Some restrictions apply from October to March. Only restrictions are certain areas are out of bounds during winter months. These areas are well marked off by yellow buoys. Please do not go into these areas, as the sport was nearly banned in early 2003 because of wildlife. There are no other rules. The perfect learners and freestyle location.

Nightlife

Got to Liverpool and also has local nightlife too.