Windsurfing

Windsurfing at Kielder

Kielder Water is a large lake, a great place to windsurf – plenty of space to learn, develop and to have fun, whether you have been windsurfing for years or just a few weeks. We welcome windsurfers of all abilities from complete beginner upwards.

Where to Sail

As a member of Kielder Water Sailing Club you can launch your windsurfer from the slipway or beach in front of the Clubhouse at Tower Knowe. A small bay which is semi-enclosed by KWSC’s jetty is ideal for beginners, after which the headland point is the target and then into the wide open space of Kielder Water for a blast across the lake, a freestyle flaka routine, a long haul up to the top end of the lake at Bakethin or an exploratory cruise into one of the many creeks – the choice is yours.

When sailing on Kielder Water you need to have registered your windsurfer with NWL and read and understood NWL’s “Rules and regulations governing the use of Kielder Water” a copy of which is available in the Clubhouse.

For those who do not wish to join KWSC, but would like to windsurf at Kielder, you need to register at Northumbrian Water (NW) at Leaplish. There are conditions for day visitors registering with NW and sailors need to be aware of NW’s Rules and Regulations and of the “Additional rules applying only to canoeing, kayaking and/or sailboarding by visitors” which include details for minimum age, minimum numbers sailing together, competency and registration requirements. Phone Northumbrian Water at Leaplish on (01434) 251000 for details.

Club Windsurfers

The club has a selection of windsurfing boards and rigs that are available for members to use at any time they are not required for training. Even when training is taking place there are likely to be some windsurfers still available.The boards and rigs were purchased with club funds and a grant from the RYA in September 2011, and include: 

• HIFly Matrix (149 litres)
• HiFly Mambo (175 litres)
• HiFly Motion (219 litres).

Full details about using the club’s windsurfers can be found in the members' area section which can be accessed by logging in.

Interested in learning how to windsurf?

Why not look at the video “Start Windsurfing” and then contact Brian Coates.

Kielder Kestrels

As part of our aim to encourage more windsurfing at Kielder, the Club is actively developing a young group of sailors, the Kielder Kestrels, to take part in a programme including :-

• Freestyling
• Speed sailing (individual speed challenge)
• Course racing (leading to establishing a T15 team)
• Cruising
  

You would be most welcome to join the Kestrels or match yourself against the standards set by the Kestrels. For the more experienced sailor there are opportunities to blast up and down or across the Lake with others, join in course racing with the dinghies, lead a cruising expedition, test your speed using the Club’s GPS speed monitor or demonstrate your freestyle skills whatever the wind conditions!

Who’s who at KWSC

Our commodore this year is Michael Fleming; the Club’s sailing and windsurfing instructor team is led by Principal Steve Gibbon.

Our Senior Windsurfing Instructor and windsurfing representative on the KWSC committee is Brian Coates.

He is supported by Assistant Windsurfing Instructor Ian Fair and trainee assistants Christina Coates and Ed Pike.

They are there to help you with your windsurfing.

Calendar of Events

Windsurfing at KWSC in 2012 is available all year daily, from dawn until dusk. In addition there are a number of KWSC windsurfing events taking place, the dates of which you may like to add to your diary.

Easter Holidays – Intermediate level sessions including introduction to the fastforward formula, beach starting, use of the harness, getting going and early planing, footstraps, blasting control, steering, fast tacking and gybing (members only).

26 – 27 May Visit by North East Windsurfers (NEWS)for a course racing weekend as part of their travelling series.

30 June - 1 July RYA Start Windsurfing / Youth Level 2 courses (members only).

Summer school holidaysa number of beginner taster and improver sessions (members only).

13 - 17 August -– Beginner taster and improver sessions for youths attending KWSC’s Summer Camp (members only).

25 - 27 August - Family Windsurfing Weekend including Freestyle Competition and visit by Pugney's Pirates.

Additional events will be posted here and advised to individual members who have registered their e-mail addresses with Brian Coates.

NEWS

KWSC has hosted NEWS events for many years and as a host club member you will be welcome to join in their weekend programme of course racing or to watch the skills of some very good racing windsurfers. 

Windsurfing with KWSC

For further information about windsurfing with KWSC on Kielder Water, please contact Brian Coates.

To join the Club, click 'Join Us'.