St Annes Kitesurfing Spot

Overview

The St Annes kitesurfing spot has year-round wind, a large beach, shallow water, and several lagoons.

Our members-only chat group will tell you who is going out and when. If you are new to the club, an experienced member will buddy you for your first sessions and help you learn the spot.

This video is a quick panoramic view of the kitesurfing spot, as seen from the edge of the beach. This was taken about one hour before high tide.

The Wind & Seasons

The prevailing wind in this area is South West and you can ride any Westerly wind at St Annes. We do not recommend riding any Easterly winds.

The beach is large so you can generally ride onshore winds safely. However, at a high tide, there may not be a lot of beach for landing. If you are not confident at upwinding, we recommend you only ride an onshore wind after high tide.

There are no strictly defined seasons in this area and we generally have rideable year-round wind. However, the Spring and Autumn months have the most windy days and the strongest winds.

We use the Windy app for the wind forecast of the next three days. Anything after three days is not as reliable.

Please see our dedicated Wind Report page for the current forecast.

The Tides

Our kitesurfing area is tidal. There are big differences between Spring Tides (i.e. the highest tides of the month) and Neap Tides (i.e. the lowest tides of the month). On a Spring Tide, there is usually no beach left to launch and land. On a Neap Tide, the water can still be a long way out even at high tide.

We recommend being aware of the tide and asking another SAKC member if you are in doubt.

We usually “ride with the tide” and start our sessions two hours before the high tide. This gives us plenty of space to set up and a short walk to meet the incoming tide.

The only time you may not be able to launch or land is during the high tide of a Spring Tide. Also, be aware that launching or landing at low tide may involve a long walk with your gear!

The Water

The St Annes Kitesurfing spot is on the Irish Sea with temperatures of 14 to 17 Celcius in the Summer and 6 to 9 Celcius in the winter.

The water is fairly shallow and you can expect small to normal waves depending on the conditions. Further North, towards Blackpool, the waves are bigger. Further South, towards the pier, the water is flatter.

The government regularly publishes water quality advice. We recommend you check the official website here and make your own assessment on the current water quality.

Temporary lagoons are created as the tide comes in and out. They do not last for long (30 to 60 minutes) but provide a good opportunity for flat water.

The Beach

The St Annes Kitesurfing spot has a soft, flat, and sandy beach. On a very low tide, the beach is large and it can take 20 minutes or more to walk to the water.

The beach is popular with dogwalkers and locals. There is generally enough room for us to safely set up, although on a very high tide, there will only be a small beach area.

Dangers & Hazards

We strongly recommend that all riders perform an assessment before heading out. We use the BKSA assessment:

• Surface – Consider the water surface (is it wavy, choppy, or flat?), under the water (any hidden hazards?), beach surface (any hazards, stones, shells etc.?).
• Hazards – Is there anything downwind that could cause a problem (e.g. piers, stairs, rocks, walls)
• Other users – Who else is on the beach and water (e.g. fisherman, dog walkers, other kitesurfers)
• Environment – Is the weather as expected? Are any storms on the horizon? Is the sea and swell looking rough?

The main danger to be aware of is the fast-moving tide. Be careful not to get stuck overpowered at high tide (especially on a Spring Tide) as there may not be enough beach to land safely. At low tide, watch out for shallow water!

To the south, there is St Annes Pier to watch out for. Off the end of the pier is an old Boat Jetty which is no longer in use, but may be obscured in a high tide. Be aware of this area around the pier and avoid it if in any doubt.

To the north and into Blackpool, the coastline changes to a sea defence wall. At high tide, it is not possible to land in this area, and in big wave conditions, the area is dangerous.

I’d add the pier and jetty (the bit on its own off the end of the pier) and maybe the Blackpool sea wall into the dangers and hazards section in the spot guide.

There are occasionally Weaver Fish in the area, which give a nasty sting but are not lethal. There can also be different types of Jellyfish, none of which are lethal, but if you are allergic then please be aware.

There is a metal drainage structure to the south of the spot, about 100m out from the dunes and near the main entrance to the beach.

Facilities & Parking

St Annes Kitesurfing Club shares a building with the popular local Beachcomber Cafe. There is Pay & Display parking directly next to the cafe and spot.

As a member of St Annes Kitesurfing Club, you get access to free parking, hot showers, toilets, lockers, and our club room with refreshments.

The building has a public Heart Defibrillator. The nearest Coastguard Rescue Stations are Lytham St Annes Coastguard Rescue Station and Blackpool RNLI Lifeboat Station.

Rules and Regulations

As a St Annes Kitesurfing Club member, you will be issued with our rules and guidelines.

For everyone kitesurfing in this area, member or not, we please ask you to do the following:

• Keep away from the non-kitesurfers on the beach and always give them the right of way
• Label your boards with your name, phone number, and address
• Keep the Coastguard phone number on hand
• Don’t go out alone and keep an eye out for each other
• Do not ride offshore winds
• Know the tide times and expected weather conditions

Above all, we want you to have fun and be part of our welcoming kitesurfing community. Please introduce yourself to other kitesurfers in St Annes when you come – we are always happy to meet new kitesurfers and help you out.

See you on the beach!