Hi to all. Local windsurfing?
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Hi to all. Local windsurfing?
Hi all. During this 'summer' I am hoping to do some windsurfing practice after work Mondays - Thursdays and am based in Filton. I am an improver with my own kit who desperately wants to be able to learn to waterstart! I have heard that the lake at Almondsbury is a possibility but have not found anything useful about it on the net e.g. opening times. Any advice appreciated. Thanks
Hi Koops, and welcome.
Take my advice with a health warning, as I am biassed against the "lake" in Trench Lane and - in particular - its owner. My knowledge of the place is also many years old, though I have no reason to believe that much has changed.
The pond (aka Almondsbury Mud Pond) itself is only a couple of feet deep on average. In places, you'll be grounding your skeg. The bed of the pond is claggy clay that gets all over your kit and adds nothing to required levels of friction between foot and board.
The sailing is extremely restricted insofar as the pond is only about 200m square(ish).
You'll have to contend with jet skis buzzing around.
You may have to contend with his (the owner's) bizarre sport of "lake golf", whereby paying punters have the privilege of trying to hit golf balls into a bucket on a marooned "island".
Despite years of alleged plans to build a luxury centre with bars, changing rooms, showers, etc, I believe there's still only a wooden hut with leaking roof and no running water for the taps or toilets (yes - honest!).
I don't know of anyone who windsurfs there any more, having been insulted, ripped-off, chased by Alsations, had their kit wrecked by Alsations and randomly deposited lumps of dug-up concrete and tarmac.
I could be completely wrong, and the place could now be a haven, though - if Mike Thompson is still in charge - I suspect not.
If you are brave enough to give it a try, I'd really appreciate an update. TBH, I'm not even sure he allows windsurfing any more.
A couple of links for you...
http://www.ukactiveoutdoors.co.uk/west- ... -park.html
http://triopenwater.co.uk/jetski.html
http://www.westcountrykarting.co.uk/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/aug/2 ... is.uknews2
Take my advice with a health warning, as I am biassed against the "lake" in Trench Lane and - in particular - its owner. My knowledge of the place is also many years old, though I have no reason to believe that much has changed.
The pond (aka Almondsbury Mud Pond) itself is only a couple of feet deep on average. In places, you'll be grounding your skeg. The bed of the pond is claggy clay that gets all over your kit and adds nothing to required levels of friction between foot and board.
The sailing is extremely restricted insofar as the pond is only about 200m square(ish).
You'll have to contend with jet skis buzzing around.
You may have to contend with his (the owner's) bizarre sport of "lake golf", whereby paying punters have the privilege of trying to hit golf balls into a bucket on a marooned "island".
Despite years of alleged plans to build a luxury centre with bars, changing rooms, showers, etc, I believe there's still only a wooden hut with leaking roof and no running water for the taps or toilets (yes - honest!).
I don't know of anyone who windsurfs there any more, having been insulted, ripped-off, chased by Alsations, had their kit wrecked by Alsations and randomly deposited lumps of dug-up concrete and tarmac.
I could be completely wrong, and the place could now be a haven, though - if Mike Thompson is still in charge - I suspect not.
If you are brave enough to give it a try, I'd really appreciate an update. TBH, I'm not even sure he allows windsurfing any more.
A couple of links for you...
http://www.ukactiveoutdoors.co.uk/west- ... -park.html
http://triopenwater.co.uk/jetski.html
http://www.westcountrykarting.co.uk/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/aug/2 ... is.uknews2
It's an ill wind that never blows at all.