Calshott

It's been a long time since my last visit to Calshot, quite a few years back it was being touted as a major speed sailing venue, with the flat water behind the spit providing suitable conditions. However memories came back and the journey down to Calshot was on a par with visiting the dentist!

Now I know that's a bit of unfair criticism, but for anyone East of Southampton I can't quite work out why they want to sail there. It is, however one of the few locations where you can sail in any number of wind directions, something not the "norm" for the majority of South Coast spots.

If it's your first trip to Calshot, follow the signposts to Fawley - which is a massive refinery, hence the drive down to Calshot might have you sitting behind numerous tankers. As you get closer to Fawley you begin to question why you are making the trip, not the most attractive of destinations.

Calshot itself is quite unique, and as long as you face the East you don't see the refinery. The windsurfing & kiting all takes place close to Solent Sailboards, again in the season it's pay n'display, though membership of the club (£37) gives you free access, but means you have to go there more than once (sorry).

If you're in to blasting / buzzing other craft, this is the location for you. The beach is probably the closest you'll get to some of the busiest shipping channels in the UK - and as you can see from the picture opposite they come in pretty close, but don't try calling "starboard" on them!

Calshot is excellent for people of all abilities, be they kiters or windsurfers, with the lagoon being a great place for those for first outings.

There is a great deal of open space for rigging and in the summer you get a good crowd down there.

Calshot never claims to get "waves" and is a good bump n'jump site. Reports suggest that kiting and windsurfing mix here, and as yet there are no restrictions.

Some people claim it has good sea breezes, though a distinct lack of natural features and its position, tucked back away from the Solent "funnel" make this questionable. (see chart below)

If you make the journey to Calshot, only to find there's no wind, there is plenty of other things to do in the activities center, which used to be an old Sunderland Flying boat hanger - the Souths largest indoor climbing wall and velo track are just but two attractions.

Calshot activity centre in the background

Solent Sailboards

Solent sailboards who will be happy to help you out, be it windsurfing or kiting

If the wind is not quite enough it may be worth driving round to Lepe which is about a mile further up from Calshot, and about 4 miles in the car - hey you've come all this way. See Lepe location report for more information.

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Feb 2003

South Coast Beach Breaks
Hover over any red dot for details