Warmed by the Gulf stream/North Atlantic drift, however water quality is poor after a lot of rain due to local industry and agriculture. No ground swell as is protected by the Isle of Arran and Argyle peninsula. Very shallow water waist deep for several 100m, ideal for beginners with the occasional ramp for boosting big. Can have butter flat water in SW wind.
Situated at the southern end of of 15km Irvine bay, has huge area of sand from mid to low tide with great shallow play areas behind the numerous sand banks. High tide is safe for launching as there is a large area of grass between the beach and main road. Park practically on the beach if you like but should be mindfull to stay upwind of the kites. Generally this area is safe and hazard free for kitesurfing and never very crowded with other beach users even in the hight of summer.
In Scotland you can expect to get relitavly mild air temps even in mid winter, however no two days are ever the same and a 15 degree variation is possible at any time of the year. Water temp is between 12-17°C a full length steamer is probably required year round.
A larger kite 12-16m depending on rider weight, style and technique is best for summer and smaller 8m-10m for winter. However this is Scotland and you may find yourself using a 20m on new years day or an 8m mid summer when you can almost kite round the clock if it's windy. Summer is mostly a fairly consistant westerly trade wind comming off the Atlantic whilst wind from October to March is frequent, strong and frontal in origin.
By car travel south from Glasgow 35km (M/A77) turn of for Irvine(A71) then (A78) to Barrassie. By rail take the train from Glasgow Central station the kite spot is about 200m from Barrassie station. By sea take the sea cat from Belfast to Troon. Nearest airport is Prestwick (about 5kms) with a rail link to Barrassie.
No particular rules or regulations as yet. The local council have errected signposts to alert other beach users that the area is popular for kitesurfing and that kite lines can be hazerdous.
04-02-27 Unknown: local tips:ride down at the shite pipe in the south corner of the bay nearest to the road, with the tide on the turn a knee deep lagoon forms for approx 1hr,resulting in great flat water riding.in this same corner,wait for the belfast hydrofoil to come in and ride the spaced set waves it creates.your local instructor is craig wearing,contact him at:www.kitesurfscotland.supanet.com for the chat and daily wind reports.
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