South Gare (Redcar)
- Freeride, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat
- Spot Type
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Range
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
South Gare (Redcar) is a wind-sports spot on the southern side of the River Tees mouth, built around a wide sandy beach and the long breakwater access area. Conditions are commonly described as shallow-to-flat with cloudy water, and surf potential centers on sheltered point-break behavior when the right east to north-east swell angles arrive. For kitesurfing, northeasterly directions are consistently described as the best fit (NNE/NE). The beach and surrounding water can stay shallow and flat with small waves, which makes the area practical for freeride and (with the right depth conditions) foil work. In addition, a small lagoon-like area on the inside is noted to be useful only around high tide (about a two-hour window either side). Windsurfing is described as beginner-friendly to intermediate thanks to the wide sandy setting and shallow, flat conditions, with wave-sailing possibilities on the beach side when winds are from the north or north-east. Wingfoiling is possible as well: the sheltered lagoon area can provide workable conditions at high tide, with a minimum depth indicated for foiling in that inner area. Safety is a major focus at South Gare. Industrial “slag” and metal debris are reported as sharp hazards on the beach, and strong currents are reported near the river mouth and shipping-channel area. Riders should avoid the shipping lane and working industrial areas, keep strict awareness of tide timing, and wear appropriate protective footwear and buoyancy assistance.
- Wide sandy beach launch with kitesurf-friendly NNE/NE winds
- Sheltered surf potential on east to north-east swells
- Lagoon-style inner water usable near high tide (limited time window)
- Strong hazard profile due to industrial slag and tidal currents
- Wide sandy launch area supports easy self-launch
- Kitesurfing works well with northeasterly winds (NNE/NE)
- Sheltered point-break surf potential on suitable east-to-north-east swell angles
- Foiling possible at high tide in the lagoon area
- Industrial debris/slag and metal can be extremely sharp and hazardous to feet and gear
- Pollution/turbidity and overall water quality can be poor
- Strong tidal currents near the River Tees mouth
- No lifeguard presence reported
- Care needed around the shipping lane and industrial areas
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NNE, NE
- Offshore directions
- SW, WSW
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Northeasterly directions are favored at the spot; broader regional winds are described as frontal systems.
- Reliability
- high during winter months
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- September, October, November, December, January, February, March
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach with industrial debris/slag reported on the foreshore.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Also described as medium with tide/conditions.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach for self-launch; lagoon access can be confined with rocky/muddy approaches.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Providers differ: one record says easy launch; another says moderate with confined/industrial debris access in the lagoon.
Through the year
Can be busy with local riders on weekends but rarely overcrowded.
Winter months see frequent North Sea storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Shallow, flat conditions on sandy beach with small waves; best wind directions are NNE/NE. The spot can also provide flatter lagoon-like conditions during high tide.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Wide sandy beach suitable for windsurfing with shallow, flat water; described as popular for wave sailing on the beach side with North or North East winds.
- Sail Sizes
- 4–5.5 m²
Lagoon area provides a sheltered environment for foiling at high tide; sea side also suitable for experienced foilers.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly conditions described for the lagoon at high tide.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters in the lagoon at high tide
Sheltered point break at the tip/breakwater area, able to work on east to north-east swells with a left-hand or right-hand option depending on the described break geometry.
- Optimal Swell
- E, NE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid — Sources differ on tide preference (low vs mid).
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Described as very sheltered for larger swells; also described as semi-sheltered in another provider record.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore when southwest winds occur; also noted that the break is sheltered from North West winds by the breakwater.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles large swells well that would close out other local beach breaks; also described as very sheltered from large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality reported as good; very sheltered in larger conditions in one description.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling shape; also described as very sheltered for larger swells.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling waves reported.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length described as medium; can offer long rides when the swell wraps around the tip of the gare.
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer long rides when the swell wraps around the tip of the gare.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for South Gare (Redcar) in the full forecast view.
South Gare (Redcar) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–29 ktsGusts 46 kts
- Direction
- SW220°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2529 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.7 m5s period
- Temperature
- 6–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, South Gare (Redcar) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–29 kts, peaking around 29 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 46 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.3–1.7 m with a period of about 5s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- pollution
- rocks
- industrial slag and metal debris
- rips/strong tidal currents near the river mouth
- groyne/groynes
- submerged rocks
- possible downwind drift hazards
- ironwork
- breakwater access/industrial debris
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional context indicates limited rescue availability with RNLI and Coastguard coverage.
- Emergency Info
- In case of emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard; nearest hospital with A&E is James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Described as a mild local scene.
Rules of the spot
Avoid kiting or surfing too close to the shipping lane at the mouth of the Tees. Keep clear of the lighthouse and working industrial areas.
- Keep clear of the lighthouse and working industrial areas.
- Stay away from the shipping lane at the mouth of the Tees.
- Watch out for the 'slag'—industrial waste that looks like rocks but contains sharp metal and iron.
- Booties are highly recommended due to sharp slag and metal debris on the beach.
- The lagoon (locally known as Paddy's Hole) only works for about 2 hours either side of high tide.
- Keep an eye on weather, tide, and wind.
- Wear a buoyancy aid such as a life vest.
- Avoid kiting/surfing close to the shipping lane.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Middlesbrough
- Nearest Town
- Redcar
- Nearest Airport
- Teesside International Airport
- Parking
- Informal free parking along the roadside leading to the lighthouse.
- Public Transport
- Northern Rail network with stations at Redcar Central and Hartlepool; bus services connect Middlesbrough and Hartlepool to Redcar and Seaton Carew.
- Access
- Accessed via South Gare Road (private road) from Fisherman's Crossing at the western end of Tod Point Road in Warrenby, leading to the breakwater area on the southern side of the River Tees mouth.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and hotels in Redcar.
- Food & Drink
- Mobile catering vans sometimes park near the lighthouse; more options are in Redcar town.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available on-site; rental is described as being available via local instructors and mobile schools across the Teesside coast.
- Gear Storage
- None available on-site.
- Gear Repair
- Repair services can be found in nearby towns like Middlesbrough.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at South Gare (Redcar)?
The best overall months at South Gare (Redcar) are November, December, January, February, March, April, September. The best wind months are September, October, November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at South Gare (Redcar)?
South Gare (Redcar) works with NNE, NE winds. Offshore directions are SW, WSW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at South Gare (Redcar)?
Recommended equipment sizes at South Gare (Redcar): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4–5.5 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is South Gare (Redcar) suitable for?
South Gare (Redcar) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.