Kite Surfing

A variety of nearby beaches and winds ranging from 12 to over 30 knots ensure exciting conditions for kitesurfing along the coastline. The shallow and relatively calm seas off South Beach in Skerries typically boast winds from the south, east and north. The waters offshore from the large, sandy beach offer small to medium waves that typically range from under one metre to about three metres. Conditions are best on South Beach when winds are from the northeast. The town’s smaller North Beach has deeper water but smaller waves, making it an inferior site to South Beach.

There are over half-a-dozen kitesurf spots around Skerries, with some of the best conditions found at Layton-Inse Bay Beach at Benhead (14 kilometres to the northwest) and Sandymount Strand at Pigeon House Harbour (28 kilometres to the south).  The nearby village of Rush to the south is also a good bet, with winds primarily from the south and southwest. For the best waves off Rush, venture out when winds are from the east or south.

Kitesurfing in Skerries is ideal from July to October when wind conditions are best. In the warmer months of July and August you can expect crowds to gather along South Beach. Based in Skerries, Zumosurf Watersports (www.zumosurf.com) is an online supply shop that also offers kitesurf and stand-up paddleboard courses in Skerries with instructors that are certified by the British Kite Surfing Association (BKSA). Zumosurf provides a half-day introductory session to kitesurfing, as well as multi-day in-depth courses. All the equipment you need to enjoy a day of kitesurfing is provided on the day of the lesson. Courses range from €99 for a half-day lesson to €399 for a full course. With an emerging kitesurf scene, shops with equipment and supplies are still scarce around Skerries and are mainly found further south towards Dublin.