The Bluff, Hayle | Kernow Kitesurf Club

April 2019

The ban on kitesurfing at Hayle (aka “the Bluff”) has been lifted. There are restrictions with a permit system. Please see the “Bluff Code of Conduct“.

The Code of Conduct short version is “have insurance, have a permit, give way to boats at all times (keep 100m away).

Free parking for Bluff Pass holders

The new Bluff passes are at Lodeys (Marazion) or Down the Line in Hayle (details below)
– free to KKC club members.

To get your Bluff pass go to one of the outlets (list below) with your BKSA card. If you don’t have BKSA membership, you’ll need other proof that you have insurance to kitesurf. If you have the KKC as your affiliate club on your BKSA card is free.

Down The Line, Hayle (Map, TR27 4EA)
Lodey Sails, Marazion (Map, TR20 9TT)

The system is working well, so please use, don’t abuse the spot and the code of conduct.

The Bluff pass also comes with free parking at Harvey Towans ( the rough car park on top of the slope above the river mouth – see attached map- it is not for parking at The Bluff Pub). If you want to take advantage of this you will need to display a Hayle Harbour Parking Permit.

Map links for the free parking for Bluff Pass users:

Key Elements of the Hayle Kitesurf Agreement

Any person kitesurfing within the jurisdiction of the Hayle Harbour Authority must wear a valid Bluff permit tag on their harness.
- Wearing a tag is important as it signifies the kiter has a valid third party liability insurance of 5 million pounds, that the kiter has agreed to abide by the Code of Conduct, and by purchasing it has made a small contribution to the annual Water Users Licence for which Kernow Kitesurfing Club has to pay the Hayle Harbour Authority.
All kite surfers MUST keep at least 100m away from AND turn away from all vessels using the channel. This remains the key guideline for the 2011 trial.
No kitesurfing at any time south of Chapel Anjou where there is a large 5 knot speed restriction sign.
All kitesurfers must be at intermediate level or above; no learning or teaching.

The permits will cost £5 for members of the KKC, £10 for non-members, and run from 1st April each year. Non-BKSA members may purchase a tag for £20 provided they have valid liability insurance of 5 million pounds. These are available from:

Down The Line, Hayle (Map, TR27 4EA)
Lodey Sails, Marazion (Map, TR20 9TT)

Location

Take the turning on the A30 for Hayle and drive towards the centre of town. Approx. 350 meters on your right you will see a turning sign posted towards Phillack and the Towans. Take this road up the hill and continue driving leaving the Caravan Park on your right and it leads you down to the Bluff Pub on your right. Please Park sensibly and pay as per the car park signs. The Pub serves a good pint and some excellent food.

Overview

It is worth having a chat to the lifeguards (here in summer only) on the way down to the beach or certainly with any other sailors. On an ebbing tide there is a severe rip which only slows as low tide approaches – your board is off out to sea very fast if you lose it in the channel. Watch out as high tide arrives as the beach at the bottom of the access path disappears.

Wind Directions

NE, N, NW and W (Westerly can be gusty for kitesurfing and so better to move up to Gwithian)

Spot Guides

Gwithian

This venue is synonymous with down the line wave sailing in the UK. Parking on top of the cliffs you can look west across the gently curving St Ives Bay from the harbour town of the same name to the stark white lighthouse on Godrevy Point.

Daymer Bay

Real Care should be taken on an Ebbing Tide (out going) as the tidal current is exceptionally strong and many competent sailors have been caught out.

Marazion & Long Rock

Marazion and Long Rock are both located on Mounts Bay near Penzance and with the back drop of St Michaels Mount.

Par

A good location from mid to low water as the gently shelving beach can give shallow conditions that are ideal for learning in.

Perranporth & Perran Sands

Big tide days often deliver wide flat water sections for the twin tips. Wave board riders tend to favour the Perran Sands end where the big waves hold for longer.