Marazion Overview
Marazion is a actually a private beach owned by Lord St Levan of the St Aubyn’s Estates who own St Michael’s Mount. The manager of the Estates and beach is happy for kitesurfing to take place on the beach but would like certain guidelines to be followed. Signage may well be put in place soon to encourage safe practices and to give guidance on ‘voluntary’ kite zones. Please follow these guidelines as there have been a few accidents close to the seawall and road and any future accidents may well cause restrictions to be put in place. The simple guidance is outlined below:
- No kitesurfing to the East of the Red River especially in the summer months when this part of the beach is most popular with swimmers and bathers.
- Do not kite 2 hours either side of high tide especially near the seawall where the shelving beach creates shore dump at higher tide and there is little space to land your kite. Beware of lofting from turbulence caused by seawall and dunes. They are not high but really affect the wind.
- Beginners should stay in the area marked on the map that is to the West of Red River and before the start of the sea wall. This area has the largest beach space, furthest distance from the road and also less public.
There are a few reefs at Marazion that are submerged at higher tides. It’s a good idea to come down at low tide if it is your first time here to check out their locations.
One thing that is not so common on other Cornish beaches is the large amount of seaweed that can get washed up during and after heavy winds and storms. Take care as the seaweed (especially the long ‘spaghetti’ seaweed) can bind your lines together changing your full depower SLE kite into a fully powered and uncontrollable nightmare. If you are a beginner and there is a lot of seaweed in the water or on the beach and you drop the kite a lot then debate whether it is a good idea to go out.
Horse Riders sometimes use the beach so please be aware of this.
Wind Directions
Marazion can be used from W round to SE. The prevailing SW wind is great at all parts of Marazion Beach but is often accompanied by waves. A Southerly can get a little gusty and turbulent behind St Michaels Mount so move along the beach to the West. A SE wind funnels between St Michaels Mount and Marazion village and so can be stronger due to the venturi effect but can be a little turbulent. At low tide with a SE however the causeway to St Michaels Mount means there is flat water downwind of the causeway. On a SE Long Rock is often better wind. A Westerly comes over the top of Penzance and so can be a little gusty but often there are not that many waves with this wind direction.
