Flying Site and Guidelines

Libre V-Max Peter Lynn Arc 630 General view towards the prom
It doesn't get much better than this !!
Launching an ARC 630
View from the water's edge

You will find:
 

Flying Site

Hoylake, Wirral, Merseyside

From the South & Midlands – M6 North, M56 West (towards Chester & North Wales). Take the M53 towards Birkenhead and Ellesmere Port. Keep on the M53 and turn off at junction 2 signposted A551 Hoylake & West Kirby (if you overshoot there’s one more junction before ending up in the Wallasey tunnel therefore be warned !!). Carry on up the road towards the island just underneath a roadbridge. Turn round the island (almost doubling back on yourself then turn left, following the signposts for the A553 Moreton & Hoylake. At the main roundabout in Moreton (shops etc) turn left and keep going through Moreton, past Meols and into Hoylake. The easiest access to the beach is from the main roundabout in Hoylake therefore as you travel through Hoylake turn right at the island and follow the road towards the beach.  (There is a left turn into Stanley Road at the “Green Lodge” which takes you to Red Rocks  as an alternative location).

From the North  - the best route is to use the M58 past Skelmersdale and at the end of the M58 to pick up the A59 towards Liverpool City Centre, Carry on past Aintree racecourse, through Walton following signs to the City Centre and the Tunnels. Follow directions to the Wallasey Tunnel and at the other end pay your £1 toll. At the Wirral end of the Tunnel take the sliproad for junction 1,  A554 signposted New Brighton (B&Q in the near distance). At B&Q take a left and carry on to the next island. Take the third exit right onto the A553 (1st is Tesco, 2nd is to Birkenhead) and carry on towards Moreton and the main roundabout. Go straight across the roundabout and follow the same directions as above to Hoylake.

From the East – M62 towards Liverpool. At the end of the M62 carry on up “Edge Lane” and follow signs to the Tunnels (in particular the Wallasey Tunnel). Once in the Tunnel follow the directions as detailed directly above.
 

General Conditions

If the high tide is 8 metres or less for a few days then buggying is possible with about 7.5 being very good. The first 100 metres or so at Hoylake rarely dries out completely therefore expect a muddy walk !  Thereafter the beach is flat and firm up to the sandbank which often has softer sand and shells. Although the beach extends from West Kirby to Meols the Hoylake stretch is probably safer to use since the general public don’t usually walk out that far. The section towards West Kirby is very busy during the summer months and very low tides since it can be accessed by the public and should NOT be used for parakarting. At the end of Stanley Road (Red Rocks) sandyachting and parakarting is not specifically encouraged during the winter months and additional care and courtesy is advised at other times. It is also popular with horse riders – the horses are disturbed by the rustle of kites (particularly Icarex) hence be aware. Please set up a safe and reasonable distance from the shore - about 200m is advised.

Generally the conditions are highly variable therefore its worthwhile checking them with one of the contacts listed below. The sandbank is often exposed on relatively high tides although getting there will be heavy going and usually unrewarding.

Access to Hoylake beach is available along the promenade although parking is difficult during the summer. The Wirral Sandyacht club can be used however the car park is also used by the community centre.

The wind is typically westerly and hence excellent for parakarting. Easterly winds are often very turbulent ,  difficult to use and can be very frustrating.

Low Tides for WINTER / SPRING 2006

The following dates are taken from the local tide tables and will be potentially good weekend days for parakarting.  Note if the weather forecast suggests high pressure, although the winds will be lighter the tide is held low and the conditions may be available longer.  Dates around these weekends may be OK if the weather is fine to dry the beach. At all other times expect very wet and muddy conditions. During July and August the beach is often very good even during slightly higher tides.

21st-27th January (Midweek tides particularly low)
5th-10th February (8.3m on the 5th but high tides up to then so could be wet - midweek better)
20th - 25th February
7th-11th March
22nd-25th March

Additional Facilities

Spares and Repairs – my advice is to bring your own. Krazy Kites may be able to help - call Colin 0151-342-5778. The Wirral Sandyacht Club has a small , basic workshop which could be used with prior arrangement. The club also has kitchen and toilet facilities.

Food & Drink  - no problem, there are many places throughout Hoylake and West Kirby (The main road through Hoylake is a short 5 to 10 minute walk from the promenade).

Local Attractions

Liverpool  - plenty of facilities & attractions including the Albert Dock.
Chester - really nice but busy walled city.

Good access to North Wales (Rhyl, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno & Snowdonia etc)

Useful Contacts

Green Lodge Pub / Hotel    0151-632-2321*

Kings Gap Hotel & Restaurant   0151-632-2073*

Prokites Ltd 08000-890-335

* Very close to the beach.

Flying Guidelines

Don’t use lines longer than 60 metres

Don’t overfly people, animals and roads.

Horses are particularly affected by the rustle of kites. This is very evident with kites made from ICAREX. Please land and allow the riders safe passage.

Don’t set up lines where people are walking – often they cannot see them even if it is obvious to us.

Don’t fly aggressively near to passers by and other fliers.

Don’t buggy close to the shore without due respect for the proximity of hazards including people and the road.

Do leave plenty of space downwind just in case you let go and the kite drifts.

Do consider onlookers who may not realise that they are close to a powerful kite and may walk in front of it.
 

Generally – fly safely and wear suitable protective kit if necessary for example helmet and gloves. Respect the wishes and experience of other fliers.

Membership of the PKA or British Buggy Club is recommended or join the Wirral Sandyacht Club to get third party insurance via the Federation of British Sand and Land Yachting. A small additional fee direct to the PKA offers full PKA membership facilities. Note that insurance provided by the Kite Society of Great Britain does not cover buggying / parakarting.