Woolacombe

Introduction

Woolacombe is a beautiful coastal site in North Devon that predominately takes a westerly wind. Woolacombe is maintained by the North Devon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club. It's a small club so pilots that wish to fly there must either join the club or pay for visitor membership. The costs are very reasonable.

Rigging

Gliders may be rigged anywhere through the stile, preferably close to the wall as not to obstruct the area where paragliders commonly slope land.

Take-off

Take-offs are made from anywhere west of the wall bordering the top landing field and the main hill. Most pilots prefer to launch from the 'ramp', which can be found a short distance down the hill where there is a gap between the gorse bushes. Launching from here in anything more than a moderate wind is a one stepper and an elevator ride upwards!

Top Landing

There's a very large field just behind the take-off. Hang gliders can land anywhere in the field. There is a small lump half way back in this field, so gliders must be mindful of possible rotor being generated from this.

If landing in the top landing field (recommended); be mindful of not overshooting as there's a wall bordering the field and launch area. Some pilots have landed in front of this wall; this is a tricky landing!

Bottom Landing

Anywhere on the beach- although the club rules say between two outcrops of rocks, Mill Rock towards the north end of the beach and Black Rock to the south end (Putsborough Beach).

Hazards

• In the summer months strong thermals can be generated off the dunes. The beach can also become very busy with holiday makers in the peak season.
• Bottom landings can be a bit tight at high tide, so it's worth checking the tide times, especially on marginal days!
• Rotor from the walls bordering the top landing field.
• Rescue and military helicopters operate in this area. Weekdays you must use NOTAM service to warn of flying.

Parking

There are strict club rules governing the number of cars in the top field. To ensure compliance to this, there is a special counting system on the gate into the top field to ensure this rule is not broken. Failure to comply with this rule could jeopardise the future use of the site.

When there are no spaces available at the top, there is a car park at the bottom of the hill, Marine Drive (fees required). Hang Gliders may drop off gliders in the top field, drive to the car park at the bottom and leave their cars there, then walk up the hill. There's a footpath leading from the bottom car park to the top of the hill.

Other

Camping

There is a campsite at the top of the hill (Little Roadway Farm Camping Park - additional parking is available there for a small fee or donation to the local air ambulance. It's also nice little place to stay if you would like to make a weekend of it.

Refreshments

A short walk down the hill to Marine Drive you can find the Porthole Café. While the café is directly beneath launch, there is no path that directly leads to it, so you’ll need to follow the footpath east or west from the launch down the hill then walk along Marine Drive.