MINEHEAD
Often ignored, Minehead has a very good wind record and gets the best of the sea breeze in the entire area. It works best in spring and summer in light NW winds when the existing sea breeze is the accelerated by the large cliffs to the west. This is the only low tide spot in the entire area. On a sunny day and falling tide the thermals will have you planing on 5.0 sails when everything else is calm! The average sail here is 4.5 and the maximum, the local sailors tell us, is a 5.5! The windiest spot is by the lifeboat station at the far western side of the bay. Drive to the beach, turn left and it’s about a quarter of a mile down the road. There’s a small grassy area for rigging and parking is plentiful. Beware of the remains of the old pier, it’s marked but people still lose fins by sailing too close. Flat on the inside, there are typical Bristol Channel swells outside the reef.
attributes
Getting there:
Parking: Pay & Display
Ideal Wind: NW
Accomodation: Plenty of B&B’s and hotels in town
Amenities: Sailing club and pub close by
Water Quality:
Suitable for: Intermediates and above