WaterSports

Surfing and Sailing

Dinghy Sailing
The great thing about sailing in this area is that you often have fantastic countryside as your backdrop.  Many of the lakes used are also set high into the hills meaning that there are plenty of windy days, really adding to the atmosphere.  Add to this the friendly clubs which encourage beginners and make this a great place to take up the sport of sailing.
Below are some suggested venues to get you started.

The post-glacial lake of Semer Water, and reservoirs at Embsay and Grimwith offer opportunities for sailing, and then there are other clubs based near Knaresborough and Bedale.
Located high in the magnificent scenery of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Grimwith Reservoir is the largest inland sailing venue in Yorkshire (371 acres). A primary spot to enjoy sailing or windsurfing in the area, many highlight it as one of the finest spots in the North. For more information click here.

The smaller reservoir above Embsay is the home of Craven Sailing Club. http://www.cravensailingclub.org.uk/  01756 793649

Ripon sailing club based near Knaresborough
01423 865 467  http://www.ripon-sc.org.uk/

Thornton Steward Sailing Club near Bedale
01325 356 673  http://www.thornton-steward-sc.co.uk/

Scaling Dam situated between Whitby and Guisborough offers courses or day permits.

Off-Shore Sailing
Facilities for off-shore sailing are available at several locations along the coast, enquiries should be made locally. Advice on weather conditions may be obtained from H.M. Coastguard.
Tel: Whitby 01947 602107 or the Humber Coastguard (24 hrs) 01262 672317.

There is also one club based on the coast nestled against the cliffs and protected from heavy swells.
Filey Sailing Club
01723 513537 

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Surfing  
Surfing has never been as popular in the UK as it is now, and the North Yorkshire coastline is well blessed with great surf beaches.
Every weekend you will see people with their surfboards heading towards Scarborough and the East Coast.  That's an indication of how popular surfing has become, especially in the North.
Where to surf in Yorkshire?

If you are a beginner then consider choosing the right beach. There are many good stretches of coastline in Yorkshire with gentle waves, easy enough for the beginner to try.
But before you even attempt to get in the water - book a surf lesson. There are plenty of good ones in the Scarborough area and on the east coast.
Beach by beach surfing

Scarborough North Bay is a nice rolling beach break and can be a really fun wave to surf when it's working so it is gentle enough for beginners to try. Works well on all tides but is best on low to mid tide and waves can be had from 0-3ft.

There are usually a lot of mellow long boarders at both North and South bays in Scarborough who are relatively friendly. This beach can be quite crowded due to the fact that it is close to town. North Bay works best on a northerly wind and northerly swell. Scarborough's South Bay offers a friendly and popular surf spot. This is a beach break with right and left-handed waves, boasting good long rides to be had under the right conditions. Surfing here works best on low to mid tide and starts working from 1-3ft but can hold up to 6ft surf.

Lifeguards on duty during the summer months.

Cayton Bay (point, pump house)
Beautiful Cayton Bay has a good range of breaks when it's working. The best time to surf is winter and spring time. Cayton works best on a mid to high tide and a north easterly swell, but do watch out for rocks and rip tides. This beach is suitable for intermediate and advanced surfers only. Cayton Bay Surf Shop offers free hot showers, changing room and hot drinks. A quiet and unspoiled beach, Cayton Bay is a beautiful destination worthy of a visit.
There are no lifeguards on duty at Cayton Bay.

The Point
The Point is for experienced surfers only.
This left handed wave can hold big swell but won't work under a five foot.

Pump House
The Pump House breaks at mid to low tide, and will break at high tide over 4ft.
The wave is fast due to the shelving nature of the shore you need to be able to do a quick take off.
At High water, if this can be a good wave for long boarding as it is nice and mellow.
Watch out for the current at low water and look out for Rocks in front of the Pump house.

Surf schools and shops
Book a surf lesson with the Scarborough Surf School and learn to surf at Cayton Bay! Scarborough surf school has a team of experienced instructors operating throughout the year. 
Also in Cayton Bay is the Cayton Bay Surf Shop and lessons, Cayton.
Up the coast in Scarborough are Fluid Concept surf shop and surf school, Scarborough and the Bay Surf surf shop and lessons, Scarborough.
There is also Zero Gravity Surf Shop, Whitby  01947 820660, and a surf club locally called Scarborough Malibu Surf Club.

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Watersports Centres 

Fosse Hill Jet Ski Centre
Take to the waters of Fosse Hill Lake in the East Riding of Yorkshire. You can also enjoy lakeside walks, an adventure playground, a quad bike track, a bar and hot tub / sauna at the Fosse Hill Centre.
Barton Broads

Former clay pits extending for 8km either side of the Humber Bridge, a paradise for lovers of outdoor pursuits. Each has its own character for bird watching, jet skiing, sailing and more. Hull is a historic waterfront city boasting a haven for shopping, culture and eating out. Compliment your activity with a relaxed stay in one of the near by guesthouses or family run B&Bs.
Pugneys Country Park

Pugneys Country Park is a 250 acre site with two splendid lakes. The largest of which is a 100 acre water sports lake. This caters for non-powered watersports such as canoeing, sailing and windsurfing. Equipment is available to hire or, alternatively, the public can bring their own craft to use on the lake. Coaching courses are arranged in all the disciplines for both adults and juniors. Nearby Wakefield offers fascinating attractions likeYorkshire Sculpture Park and the National Mining Museum.

Rother Valley Country Park
This 750-acre country park offers woods and parkland, a visitor centre, craft centre, cafe and shop. Watersports activities include public hire of sailing dinghies, sailboards, canoes and family rowing boats, cable water-skiing centre, jet-skiing. A full range of watersports courses are available at Rother Valley Country Park. For a family treat why not then pop along to Magna and explore the world of science and mystery.
Hornsea Mere

Yorkshire's largest freshwater lake has more than 250 acres of navigable water and is an ideal location for trying gentler water sports including sailing, rowing and fishing. Set in beautiful surroundings perfect for a ramble, this site brings you closer to nature and is right on the coast for some gentle exploration.

Seven Lakes Leisure Park
Seven Lakes Leisure Park at Crowle is based on a series of disused clay pits offering a wide range of watersports including jet skiing, water-skiing, canoeing and fishing.

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