Christchurch Harbour is around two kilometres long by one wide with safe sailing for all abilities. The best launch point is by the Sandhills car park, but get there early if you want to park close to the rigging area. It’s just twenty yards to the water and there’s a shallow inlet, ideal for beginners to launch in. The bottom is mainly muddy with shingle and boulders in places so footwear is recommended. SW will blow you back to your starting point so walk round the harbour until the wind is more favourable. Beginners should give the area south of Mudeford Quay a wide berth as the water funnels out of the harbour reaching 8 knots. Also keep clear of Stanpit March – it’s a bird sanctuary. The best winds are from SE to NW and the water varies from flat to choppy. Spot-on-Water (Tel: 01425 272509) is based in Mudeford.