Friday has come around once again and just as you were thinking I’ve had enough of working when the weather is glorious, a Bank Holiday weekend appears… and guess what,  it looks like someone might have told the weather gods, as our glorious Summer is about to be swallowed up by cloud and a return to ‘cool’ Northerly winds. Would we ever expect more than that, of a Bank Holiday weekend…..

Cool Northerly winds are perhaps not that concerning if you are down at the coast, as whilst it was 27°C on the other side of the Downs today, many were shocked to arrive at the beach only to feel a 12°C chill in the air, thanks to the wind being onshore and bringing that water temperature with it! Perhaps the coming Northerly may actually feel warmer! Well, at least it looks to be dry, even though rain is now being danced for by farmers and the water companies, as this ‘dry spell’ has no end in sight, that’s if the long-range forecasts are correct.  So, what’s on for this long weekend…

Saturday is not looking good for wind but SUP should be fun. During the morning, there’s a Boot Sale taking place on the Adur Rec, which might be a good place to go and sell used wetsuits etc. We used to trade in the junior suits but since the price of new suits dropped, it’s no longer viable.  I guess it’s just a case of turn up, pay for your pitch and see what you can change into usable ‘cash’ .. now there’s a word that will soon be gone. The Rec had a gathering of travellers caravans on it just a day or so ago, which I am sure would have concerned the organisers  but they have now moved on.

What else.. if you fancy something a bit different and the going into or getting out onto the water is not calling you at the moment, why not take a ‘Dry Dive’ of the Sussex Coast conservation area? The Living Coast Undersea Experience at Marine Workshops, Newhaven is running a Virtual Dive experience of a section of the conservation area and you can go along for a very reasonable cost, to experience it. Time slots are bookable but be quick as they are ‘going fast’ , as I am writing this. Click Here for the booking link! 

Sunday, the winds are back from the Nor’East so we expect foils to be out locally and see the kiters and windsurfers either head to the North Kent coast, Pevensey or perhaps Pagham. If none of these activities suit you, how about a Wakeboard Taster Session at Hove Lagoon? They have a session on in the afternoon, which could be good for adults and kids alike. But once again, book ASAP as it will be fully subscribed soon… Click here for the booking link!

By Monday the Nor’East winds will have upped their game and we will have a  more invigorated re-run of Sundays on water activities, but possibly wind and kite at Shoreham, due to the strength. Can’t find anything activities wise to offer you but by then you may just prefer to take a break and have a quiet day. The other option for the weekend is to perhaps buy a couple of SUPs or a Dual Canoe on the Saturday and then go exploring the local rivers or canals (should the rivers be a tad low on water). If that’s a Yes, then we can help!   Now for the weekend weather and tides ‘in depth’. 

Saturday, and after weeks of Mr Blue Sky, a Bank Holiday arrives and so do the clouds. The wind will be light, 5- 9kt and coming from the Northern sector, as it moves around a bit during the day. Tide’s High at16.21hrs on a 5.4m, so the rivers will be usable for SUP touring later in the day. Temp should be around the 20°C mark, so still pleasant.  

Sunday (wish it was..) will be cloudy again and now the Northerly wind delivers much cooler weather than of late.. in fact, roughly half of the 29.7°C that Kew Gardens achieved on Thursday. The wind will be from the Nor’East, pretty much all of the day, at around 11-20kt, so enough for foils but probably not for wind or kite. Tide hits High at 17.25hrs on a 5.1m, so a diminishing amount of water in the estuary and rivers. 

Monday is looking to be the windiest day of the weekend, all be it coming from an unpopular direction.  The morning wind will be from the Nor’Nor’ East 15-23Kt but by the afternoon it’ s forecast to be Nor’East 16-27kt. This is going to add a bit of windchill, just to make things worse but hey, it will make the water feel warmer, as the sea temp is now 12°C, which is 2°C above the norm.  Air temp is again around 14°C… scorchio! Tide hits High at 18.41hrs on a tiny 4.9m, so not much sand to walk your dog on, if any… sorry!  

And that’s that, another Friday evening ‘epic’ completed.

You still have the Shaky Saturday morning vid and our Opening times to come but for now, have a fun Friday eve and a great Holiday weekend!

Quick Update.. There has now been mention of possible rainfall during the weekend… well, it is a Bank Holiday!