Sandwich Bay

You have to pay £4 a time to use the beach during the summer months, but during the winter you can get a season ticket for £20. What you get for your money is a nice clean beach that is sailable in anything from a SE to NE and in the lighter airs can be perfect for beginners. The tide reveals sand when it is out but at high tide there will be a pebble beach.

Getting there: Take the toll road out of Sandwich. Parking: At the end of the road next to the beach.

Pegwell Bay

This large bay is out of bounds, unfortunate as at high tide you will have a job getting out of your depth! However the local twitchers at the nature reserve fear that our kites resemble eagles and could scare the other birds. Fair enough as there are plenty of good spots elsewhere around our coast.

Ramsgate Sands

The queen visited this beach back in the day and it is still very popular with the sunbathers during the summer months. On a hot day at high tide there will be no room at all! However when the wind is up for us most of them stay away and there is a nice sandy beach at all states of tide. There are some very strong currents here though and sailing at high tide is for experts only. Best sailed in SE to NE there is a friendly bunch of kiters down here most weekends. Heed their advice and you will have a good time.

Getting there: Get to Ramsgate and drive past the harbour and up the hill take the first right down the hill to the beach.
Parking: two car parks next to the beach.

Westbrook

When it is high tide at Minnis and its a NE to NW this is the place to go. Like Ramsgate it gets very busy with sunbathers in the summer months so be careful and give them plenty of room. This beach isn't for beginners as it is quite small. But for the more experienced kiter it offers good sailing in all states of tide.

Getting there: Drive through Margate towards Birchington, just after what used to be the Royal Seabathing Hospital take the right down Westbrook Av to the seafront. Parking: On road above beach.

Minnis Bay

One of the best spots for beginners in Kent. Minnis is best sailed at mid to low tide, there is no beach at high tide. Winds from NW to NE are ideal. The tide goes out a long way which leaves a massive sandy beach to practice on. Also the water is shallow for some way out at low tide. Please be aware of the windsurfers, there has been an active club here since the 80's try and give them plenty of room. Also the beach gets busy in the summer so watch out for the public.

Getting there: Head to Birchington on the A28 go left at the roundabout in town and follow that road all the way to the beach. Parking: Free on the seafront or there is a pay and display behind the pub.

Please send your beach guide to rou@kentkitesurfingclub.co.uk